Marcquito

Well, I bought a set of four used (yeah, I know) M474 Koni Adjustables as part of the parts needed for my late offset swap. While on the floor, everything seems to check out just fine. They compress and rebound just fine, no oil leaks, everything seems fine when looking them over.

Anyway, I installed the fronts and lowered the car only to find how terrible the dampening really is. When I push on the nose of the car, it bounces and jumps like crazy. I'm a bit discouraged at the moment - but I can't help but think maybe these are way out of adjustment? Is that even possible?

Also, expecting the worst, where should I go to rebuild these things? Is it even worth it? Anyone have any experience with sending them off? I know Paragon sells new front Konis for about $150 per side, so I would expect the rebuild price to be a bit less than that (I hope). If I don't want to rebuild them, what would the resale value on these things be? I'd rather sell them knowing what's exactly wrong with them for the next party so they can know what to do beforehand.

I'll mention the rear shocks: They are still on the floor, but again, they check out fine (I think). What's the best way to test these without installing them to be sure they're still good?

I need some clarification. I thought I knew what I was doing, but it seems like I screwed up. Any help/advice?

xsboost90

are they adjustable, and on full soft?

Marcquito

They are adjustable- but searching through the archives others have said going full soft was still somewhat of a stiff ride?

Tomorrow I'm taking apart the entire strut to re-adjust them myself to see if that helps. Fingers crossed.

ninefiveone

1) How many miles on these shocks? Many M474's are done and ready for a rebuild by 75K miles.

2) You need a shock dyno to tell what condition a shock is really in. Nothing you can do by hand on a garage floor is going to tell you anything.

Sounds like these shocks are just worn out, which is what you should expect of any used M474 shock at this age.

Zeff

I remember reading that the 's' suspension were the ones that on soft were still hard, like harder than the 474's on full hardness

robert944h

Konis set on full soft are still much stiffer than most shocks. I have don't have any bounce on my 89 with konis set to full soft and very little on my 924s set full soft. I'd imagine the set you have are just worn out. You can't really test shocks by hand unless they are completely shot!

Marcquito

Great. Any suggestions on where to get these things rebuilt?

Mark944na86

http://www.koniracing.com/services.cfm

Arominus

My yellows are well damped even on full soft, when cranked up they get mean. As for a rebuild i think you have to send them back to Koni, at that point those new ones off paragon may be a better deal especially with the sale. I'd call Koni and see what your looking at.

carlege

Marquito..... you bought these with the condition unknown even the seller said they were unknown. and judging from his pic he races 944. And one rear shock didnt rebound like the other?

Come on...... and your surprised?

Marcquito

You're right- but remember, he was selling two sets of shocks - one with known damage, and one unknown. I bought the unknown set with the rears fine and the fronts not. Don't make it seem like I'm surprised. I took a risk, and for the price I don't feel like I'm in such bad of shape since the rears are okay. The fronts are my problem.

carlege

if anything you can send off for inserts or get them redone. Not a total loss. i hear 250lb springs would be an upgraded and also lowers the front an inch

Marcquito

Exactly. Again, for what I paid, I'm glad I have a nice set of rear konis! The fronts have been taken apart today and they are definitely worn out! They are both leaking/ and are low on oil. If I'm going to rebuild them, might as well do some modding!