Jadz928

Just got a new set of Koni's installed. Thanks Gary!

They feel great, but I'm not satisfied with the front ride height. Too high.

I wanted it set at 165/170mm, just below spec. Not too low not too high.

Mech. said he could not get it any lower. Hmmm. Guys?

And the rear is too low. So the car's "stance" just doesn't look right.

I'll get some ride height specs tomorrow to let you know where I'm at.

In the meantime, those with Koni's... can you only go so low? Thanks.

GlenL

Hi Jim,

It may not be the shocks as much as the springs. However, I don't think the Koni's go as low as other shocks. I've got a variety in the garage, I could measure.

My '80 with Koni's and old single-rate Eibach springs get to 150mm in front.

Perhaps the tech is unwilling to crank the adjusters down. Perhaps it will settle more with more driving.

Easy to raise the rear.

Jadz928

Thank Glen,
The springs have a blue marking on them. The old coilovers were the sport option offered in '87, with red boges.

dr bob

Jim, go drive it a while and measure again. And get the alignmnet done again then too. My car takes a lot with driving after lifting or adjusting height. Adjust, drive, measure, repeat. There's a nice ~~2 mile loop littered with speed bumps nearby, and I figured a few brisk laps would get things right. It's close,but it still takes some serious miles to get it where it's going on height. It's an iterative process... at best.

mark kibort

Did you read my posts regarding spring cut?? No one wants to believe me. the 928 springs are just to friggin' long!!! cut a half a coil out of it and you will have some adjustability.

mk

Ben Allison

Yes, insanely long.

Bill Ball

I don't recall having any problem with getting ride height down when I had Konis. Dr. Bob pointed out the front needs to settle, which the mechanic should know. That can account for 20-25mm. Otherwise, I'm not sure why there would be a problem.

Gary Knox

Jim,

Both Earl ('91 GT), and my cars (89, 94) with Konis are at a ride height just slightly below the stock setting. No problem getting there. It does take up to 100 miles of driving to get the car to settle down, after having the struts removed and installed - in our experience.
Gary Knox

GlenL

I compared Koni's and Boge's and the adjuster is at the same height. The gas Koni may help hold the car higher over Boge's.

I think your car needs to settle.

Ben Allison

Yes, the konis ride a tiny bit higher. There is even mention in the WSM 40-49 about ride height increasing when switching to Bilsteins. My front adjusters are near the bottom and still have a bit of wheel gap. But I have the "triple green" springs which raise the ride height 10-30mm, according to the WSM.

You can aid settling by not fully tightening the lower control arm bolts (the two closest to the rear) until the car is on the ground (mentioned in installation step 2 of 40-15 in the WSM)

mark kibort

The only car i had no issues with ride hight was my bilstien, eibach spring combo. the rest of the cars all had HUGE issues with lowering. cutting springs is a good way to go, as it stiffens the springs nd relieves a lot of spring pressure on the preload, so that you CAN adjust the ride hight lower. check out scots set up at the track next time you come out. It really is nice.

mk

Bill Ball

You're talking about getting down to 110-130mm range. He's just trying to get to 165-170, which is what I run for the street.

mark kibort

sure, that should be possible. However, scot couldnt get his down passed 150mm initially. (but that could be due to his 2700lbs weight too )

those adjusters are very hard to turn. maybe the mechanic was lazy?


mk

dr bob

Mark--

I've cranked almost an inch into the front and rear springs to maintain original spec ride height. Springs are 20+ years old and tired. Will cutting them help? Will shorter and stiffer really improve the situation?


[Soapbox Mode]
It would please me a lot if responders would take the time to read and understand the original situation, problem, and the OP's question. Hoofbeats you hear on the equestrian trails are almost never zebras. The fact that you always seem to hear zebra hoofbeats doesn't come close to making them more likely. The reality for most of us is that there are simple explanations for our simple problems, especially for us street car drivers. Consider recommending the simple easy obvious prognosis as a logical first step. Go on from there if the problem isn't solved.
[/soapbox mode]

Ben Allison

Also, it's possible that the adjusters have seized. Not sure if you replaced them at the same time.