Any experience with Koni's rebuild/refurbish service?

[Sea Ranch]

Rebuilding my Plus 2S and discovered the car has Koni "Classic D" shocks all round. Three seem to be dry, the fourth leaky. They have been in the car for a very long time. Would like to have them rebuilt and the only way seems to be sending them to KONI North America's shock absorber service center in Kentucy.

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

Wondering if anyone has had experience with this KONI rebuild and restoration service. Do they do a good job? Is it worth the price (apparently $150-200 each, but complete with new Koni decals )? Has anyone requested different damping characteristics? To what effect?

Thanks for your thoughts/experiences . . .

Randy

[sveris]

Randy,

Yes, I've had Koni/NA re-manufacture the Special D rear dampers for my Europa. But mine were done at no charge, because I was the original purchaser and had copies of the original invoices from 1979. Here are a few things to consider before you take the plunge.

1) Price estimate of $150 - $200 has been the same for the last 10 years. Figure the low end unless they have to replace the piston rod itself. IIRC, I had to pay for the shipping in both directions.

2) Silent blocks for your particular dampers may or may not be available - anywhere. This includes inventory located in Holland. You can use urethane bushings or come up with your own "custom" combo of rubber bushings with metal sleeves and tubular inserts, but it will take some doing. Don't forget to use large washers at each end of the eyes to keep the damper from wandering. If it goes undetected for a period of time, bad things happen when the bushings slide out of the eyes.

Koni does a beautiful job. Restored dampers look better than new, and come complete with Koni Vintage Racing decals applied. Packed in new factory boxes.

HTH.

Steve in Ohio

[Sea Ranch]

Steve, thanks so much for sharing!

Couple questions:
I don't know what you mean by silent blocks (and I don't know much about shocks). My rear dampers have the big rubber blocks on the rods - the two big diameter with small neck in the middle shaped rubber cones. No metal. The front dampers have the conical shaped rubber blocks on the rods. Presumably these are there to prevent harsh full-compression bottoming of the shocks. Is there any other part I'm missing?

Wonder if you had any changes made to the damping characteristics? They seem to offer re-valving to suit the owner/driver's preferences. I am after ride quality first and foremost, and my impression of Konis in general is that they tend toward the firm side, to suit competition.

Thoughts?

Thanks again,

Randy in Vancouver

[StressCraxx]

If you are looking for "bump rubbers", Rick Kamp of Kampena motors may have them. They were a high density urethane foam. Mine are still intact after 30+ years.

Regards,
Dan Wise

[Sea Ranch]

Thanks, Dan. I'll check those people out.

Mine are there and mostly intact, but with some splitting. Wouldn't want to put them on a rebuild . . .

Randy

[posulliv]

I've had True Choice rebuild the Konis on my S2 Elan. They came back looking and working as new.

https://www.truechoicekoniracingservices.com/

Looks like they are running a 10% off special through the end of the year.

No affiliation with them, other than as a satisfied customer.

[Sea Ranch]

Thanks for that suggestion. I've visited the website and contacted them. Looking forward to speaking with them.

Randy

[fattogatto]

Truechoice is definitely the way to go. Great service at reasonable prices.