Community Forums

mytime · 06-11-2013, 07:13 PM

I am just finishing a long trip, about 8K miles, I am not very happy with the ride of the Independent suspension, bottom out on some of the bumps and bridges.
I have talked with Koni and they said they would replace the shocks if they were faulty. My question is has anyone had any dealing with Koni? They want me to pay a portion of the price and then send the Old shocks back(FSD's), and if they find they are Faulty they they would refund the portion that I paid. Will they do that? , I guess the key is "if" they find they are Faulty.. Just wondering if anyone has any dealing with Koni. I have to pay shipping and installation, and 1/2 the price of the shocks, until they make a decision after receiving the Old shocks.

exrench · 06-11-2013, 07:32 PM

If "bottoming out" is your complaint,in all likelyhood the shocks will be found to be serviceble when they are tested.Shock absorbers are not intended to prevent this condition. I suggest you have other suspension issues such as over-loading or defective springs.

Harry B · 06-11-2013, 09:13 PM

Koni is a reputable company and they will most likely follow through. Unless you have defective shocks I doubt if that is the cause of your problem. Konis rarely wear out which is why they have a lifetime warranty on them.
What chassis do you have? I also have Konis on my IFS suspension but they are not the FSD type. FSD shocks are not made for my IFS, so I have the standard adjustable Konis which I have set to the least resistant setting,

Mr_D · 06-11-2013, 09:25 PM

Koni FSD's aren't made for our front 14,600# IFS either, I also have our adjustables set at their lowest setting.
OP, I wouldn't worry about Koni being reputable!! They're a worldwide organization and make a lot of shocks and other items for racing.

Peralko · 06-11-2013, 09:31 PM

If you bottom out, it's not your shocks, it's your suspension. Shocks have little resistance on the down stroke, the resistance comes when the coach come back up so you don't have a porpoising action. Doubt your shocks are worn out--Country Coach just checked my shocks with almost 160,000 miles, and they seem OK!

Mr_D · 06-11-2013, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peralko

If you bottom out, it's not your shocks, it's your suspension. Shocks have little resistance on the down stroke, the resistance comes when the coach come back up so you don't have a porpoising action. Doubt your shocks are worn out--Country Coach just checked my shocks with almost 160,000 miles, and they seem OK!

Not always true. It depends on the shock's design and valving. In fact, that's what you're adjusting when you adjust the Koni adjustable (red) ones

336muffin · 06-11-2013, 09:41 PM

I'm sorry but why did you travel 8,000 miles with the suspension "bottoming out"?

Mr_D · 06-11-2013, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 336muffin

I'm sorry but why did you travel 8,000 miles with the suspension "bottoming out"?

Good question: when testing shocks for Spartan on our 14,600# front IFS axle they sent a set of FSD's made for the 13,200# IFS. Took me less than 75 miles to figure out they weren't good enough. And another 75 miles back home to change them out after that weekend trip.

mytime · 06-12-2013, 07:35 AM

Thanks to the Folks that offered some kind of information, even if it was not what I was asking, for the smart remarks "why did you travel 8,000 miles with the bottom out", I will not even attempt to address:
This has been an on going process, ride height adjustment, air pressure in tires, etc. , so it has not just out of the blue sky said Shocks, so if the shocks does not dampen the downward trust of the suspension then maybe I am looking at thing the wrong way.
I just though some one might have had the same problem, but I guess that is not the Case, so I will continue my efforts to remedy the problem. Thanks

deandec · 06-12-2013, 11:33 AM

If you want new Koni shocks and only have to pay 1/2 the price and maybe nothing, what is the risk you are trying to avoid?

We have had the Koni Adjustables for 90,000 miles and 18 years on our 12,000 lb axle. Still seem to be fine.

As others have said, if your rigs bounces up once after hitting a bump, the shocks are probably ok. If it continues to bounce up and down, the shocks are suspect.

336muffin · 06-12-2013, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 336muffin

I'm sorry but why did you travel 8,000 miles with the suspension "bottoming out"?

This was not meant to be a "smart remark!"

96 Wideglide · 06-12-2013, 12:47 PM

If there's no evidence the shock(s) have leaked, it's likely not the Koni's.

mytime · 06-13-2013, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deandec

If you want new Koni shocks and only have to pay 1/2 the price and maybe nothing, what is the risk you are trying to avoid?

We have had the Koni Adjustables for 90,000 miles and 18 years on our 12,000 lb axle. Still seem to be fine.

As others have said, if your rigs bounces up once after hitting a bump, the shocks are probably ok. If it continues to bounce up and down, the shocks are suspect.

Well the reason I asked was to decide if I wanted to go back with koni's. I have air suspension, all is well, ride heigth, level, travel, etc. Air in tires, and loading, so, what would do?

Peralko · 06-13-2013, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Not always true. It depends on the shock's design and valving. In fact, that's what you're adjusting when you adjust the Koni adjustable (red) ones

Regardless of the shock's design, the purpose of a shock is to offer resistance to the springs moving the wheels back to original position after the upwards motion from a road bump. That is the reason you have shocks in the first place. The adjustment just varies the resistance to the spring action.
Our adjustable shocks have lasted 160,000 miles on the front. Country Coach said they were still OK, the ones on the back have started to leak and will be repaced during our stay here at the factory.