MAGK944

This is for the late Koni insert conversion, done it before but forgot the cut length and texasblake says 329mm, Pelican says 329 is wrong use 325mm. Koni instructions are useless!

So which is it 325 or 329?

MAGK944

Nobody?

mikey_audiogeek

Here's the email I sent to Paragon after fitting mine:

"Also wanted to mention that I got the Koni inserts from the local Koni distributor - they are 1414S but made in Holland - and they appear to measure slightly differently to the USA Koni inserts. On my inserts, the threaded "spud" on the bottom looks shorter than the ones shown on your website. I guess the Koni instructions still apply, but when I cut the strut housings and test fitted the inserts, the bolt was about 13mm away from engaging the thread in the bottom of the insert. I measured the distance through the hole in the bottom of the housing using vernier callipers (23mm), and measuring the bolt indicated that 10mm was the correct dimension to aim for. I cut another 13mm off the strut housings and everything worked out fine.

You may wish to add a note to the instructions on your website that they only apply to Koni USA inserts."

Easy enough to cut and trim, so do what I did - cut long, measure, then do final cut.

Cheers,
Mike

gtroth

Yup. Cut mine twice too.

SkipG

MAGK944,

It is most definitely 325mm or less. Here's a link:
http://www.paragon-products.com/kb_results.asp?ID=50

Koni changed the 8641-1414S several times, but the current US part is 12" (305mm) from centering/holding nubs to bottom with a 1" button cap bolt (25mm). Some basic math and slop of ~5mm for wall thickness and washer gives you 325mm.

The Paragon procedure gives a little room for error so you don't paperweight your cores. So, that means you can cut it a little less than 325mm and still be fine (I do 320mm, but I live life on the bleeding edge). If you cut 325mm and the threads aren't quite catching, either remove the washer to pull it down in a bit or slam the insert into the casing such that the nubs seat. Tighten to 55 ft lbs or a little bit more (such that the lock washer crushes).

Another helpful hint is to use a 9/16" drill bit vice 1/2"... gives a little more room to align the bolt. Depending on how well you center the hole, aligning the bolt can be tricky and require some fine tuning on the hole (round file). I use a jig, but I'm a big cheat.

Good luck!
SkipG

MAGK944

Thanks everyone. I was going to cut the housings to length and send them off for powder coating before the inserts arrived. Guess I'll wait and measure first when the inserts get here. Don't want to cut into my new powder coating if I get it wrong.

SkipG

Koni is a Dutch company and most of their products are manufactured in Holland - certainly the 8641 series. Any local distributor should be getting the same product as any other national/international distributor - such as Paragon. In fact, in many cases they may be getting them from Paragon rather than from Koni.

Regardless, it is possible that you received NOS (New Old Stock) and that the information currently provided in the tech session is not applicable. Best to always measure twice, or 10 times, then cut. Glad to hear it worked out for you.

SkipG

mikey_audiogeek

Guess you didn't notice my location... no way that my local distributor got them from Paragon, no way in hell.

Cheers,
Mike

SkipG

Touché Kiwi - well played. Though, I have shipped to Germany which makes no sense whatsoever...

Otto Mechanic

Does anyone have the dimensions and grade for the bolts and washers used in this conversion? I can't seem to find the Koni instructions online. One comment about mentions the bolt is 25mm but doesn't give the diameter or thread pitch. How thick a washer and lock washer does 25mm assume?

If you don't feel like typing but have a link to the Koni instructions that would work for me too!