Adjusting rear Konis, accessibility

[Mike Stitzer]

Okay I had the Koni/Eibach setup installed on my 95 MTX and so far I love it, and it's only on full soft. Dialing in more damping on the fronts took maybe 30 seconds but the rears...

Here's what I did. I took the seat belt retractors out and then cut out the insulation under them. I then reinstalled the rear selt belt retractors and then tried to adjust the struts. I could not get the provided plastic Koni tool to go on the strut. It kept hitting the retractor.

Is there a way to do this without taking out the seat belt retractors? I though about getting another adjusting tool and cutting it down to make it a lower profile but is there any other way.

Mike

<small>[ September 10, 2002, 08:26 PM: Message edited by: Mike Stitzer ]</small>

 

[thebigjimsho]

The way I do it is to get a 1/4 inch drive set. Find the right size socket to fit on the top of the adjuster stud. It's easier with an extension. It usually works pretty well. At least to go from full soft to firm. In between may be tricky to regulate.

 

[DeaconBlue]

I took a extra Koni adjuster **** and cut away most of the top of the ****, leaving only a section that is about from 12 o'clock to maybe 2 o'clock. I made sure to leave the section with the arrow on it so I wuold know which way I was adjusting the struts. I use that one on the rears only and a standard **** for the fronts.

 

[ThrillSHO]

I removed the insulation and have never had any interference with the retractors. When the **** is on the strut, the top of the **** is even with the top of the tower. The **** does not stick up at all. It is a pain to get the adjuster **** on and off so I got some extra knobs from Koni and I just leave both rear knobs on all the time. I keep another **** for the front struts in the glove box.

 

[noSHO]

I just pop off the little black cap and wiggle the **** on there. I have zero problems. I have no clue what everyone is talking about when they say they can't reach their rear Konis to adjust them... *shrugs*

 

[SHO Shop]

You can also order a couple of extra Koni adjusting knobs and just epoxy them on the rear struts. You'll never lose them or have a problem with adjustment again.

 

[zak]

I think Koni makes both a long and short ****, becuase if I leave my knobs on they bottom against my seatbelt retractors on bumps (yes, I cut away the insulation as well). So a word to the wise on that approach, might work on a Gen I but not a Gen II IMHO.

What I did was take a Dremel tool cutter to a ****, and whittled away about 75% of the cap so its more like a lever than a ****. Unfortunately, my Konis are not in the exact phasing needed so that the lever portion always ends up clearing everything. In that case I just force it off, but that leaves the inner portion of the **** still on there, which comes off easily enough.

For the rear struts I never turn them more than half way, as much as you'll ever need in the back for autocrossing . . . .

John H.

 

[89 SHO/SC]

SHO Shop:
You can also order a couple of extra Koni adjusting knobs and just epoxy them on the rear struts. You'll never lose them or have a problem with adjustment again.

Where can I get a set of these ?

 

[noSHO]

89 SHO/SC:
Where can I get a set of these ?

You can probably just call Koni, but some of the places that sell Konis might have or be able to get ahold of some.

 

[Mike Stitzer]

I must have the tall tool because even if I take the belt retractor out, then place the tool on, I still can not put the belt retractor back on. It will touch and the adjuster tool. I found a small socket that I'll use.

Thanks
Mike

 

[SHOMurph]

I'm about to buy some Koni's.

I plan on just putting them on the stiff setting and just leaving them be.

Would daily driving on the stiff setting cause them to quickly wear out?

Thanks,

 

[Mike Stitzer]

It shouldn't but I can tell you the ride is STIFF!! You'll feel every ripple in the pavement. It will turn like it's on rails though. But to answer your question, even if they wear out they have a lifetime replacement warranty.

Mike

 

[DeaconBlue]

I have been told the you are suppose to leave the Koni's at full soft for the first 500 miles after their installation. Then you can turn them up as firm as you like.

BTW, the only time I turn my rear Koni's up to full is at the drag strip. Even at Summit Point I had them 1/2 turn short of full firm, while the fronts were at full firm.