Replacing Koni Front Shocks
 

Has anyone replaced their Koni front shocks? Mine are not rebuildable. I'm thinking QA1s or Spax or even another set of Konis. Does anyone have part numbers or specs for compression and rebound. Any suggestions for replacement shocks. Any readily available kits for coilover conversion if I decide to go that route.

Thanks for any help or info.

So you had no luck with Koni?? Yeah they where jerks to me $107 per shock for a rebuild , plus parts, plus shipping, so say $200 per shock for a shock that has a life time warranty???? WTF KONI stand behind your product!! I don't know what shocks CCX owners are using but again anything for a Jaguar E-type will fit and then just play with the valve setting til you get what you like.

I have attached some notes I have been keeping on these things.

1. Extended length 15 ¼”
2. Compressed length 10 1/8”
3. At normal ride height 12 ¼”
4. Max on car compressed (by jacking one corner) ~11”

Best choices so far:
1. Spax classic adjustable – Spax allows you to “custom build” from stock sizes – (15”/10” w/correct 7/16” top eye & ½” bottom is p/n “K50RV0”) seems like a home run, but Spax has not replied to my requests for where to buy or a price. Not sure if they will reply & probably have to get direct from UK….
2. Koni 30-5325 or 30-5436 (15.75”/10.75”) – not sure about which compression spec. would be better (rebound adjustable) and 10.75 compressed is close to the 11” measured on the car (don’t want it to bottom); ½” top & bottom eye (would have to drill out top mount)
3. QA1 has “circle track” steel body shocks in 15.25”/10.25” sizes, but they are not externally adjustable (sold in different valving specs) – I would have no idea which to pick
The manufacturers should be able to advise you on their shocks. You may have to measure some pivot point lengths etc and know shock angles, weight of front end etc.
The coil over is going to need a different upper arm and mounting as there isn't enough room for it on the stock torsion spring set up.

Thanks guys. I'm trying some of my British parts guys to try and locate the Spax. If not successful, then I'm looking at the Konis

Try looking at Aldens. That the way I went and they are great.

Is Aldens a what or a who?

Perhaps he meant this:

Aldan Eagle Shock Absorbers | Carson California | All Parts Made In America

- Allen.

I'm sorry. I was talking about adjustable shocks. Alden Golden Eagles. I believe the part number is 645. You can specify spring rate you want.

The Alden's look good. Can anyone verify the part number? I didn't see a 645 on their web site. Also looks like spring rate would be in the 350 to 400 range for small block V8. Can anybody confirm the if these rates work for their car?

That's dyslexic Dans number he meant 654 I thunk.
Aldan Eagle Shock Absorbers | Carson California | All Parts Made In America

The reason I was told by KONI that they won't honor the "life time warranty" is that Koni shocks were OEM for CCX Cobras. But like I told them these were kit cars and by there nature there was no OEM parts. HotRodders would put a whole gambit of shocks from anything that fit a Jaguar E-Type to anthing that would dimestionally fit from Monroe, Gabriel, to Sears. If you have not raced your Cobra and have Koni shocks (I have researched the site) the life time warranty qualifies in every way ! So how can we get them to honor there warranty????

A word on Alden Eagles;

About 5 to 7 years ago or so Alden shocks got a really bad rap because of bad and leaky seals. A lot of members here and else where jumped ship and went to QA1. Mine too leaked.

Approx. 5 years or so ago I went to Aleden Eagle directly which I can go to during lunch, handed them my shocks years after having them and told them what had happened, the kind of rap they are getting and what is going on.

They completely admitted that at that time they ran into a supplier that was counterfeiting USA seals away from normal specs and these parts had failed - they apologized, took responsibility and fixed all of my shocks for free with new parts in under 24 hours.

So to recap;

- they took responsibility without blame
- they could careless if it is going on a kit car or non OEM applications
- they did not ask for a receipt
- they repaired it under a day for free
- the problem has since been resolved on all their shocks

If you have been working on cars for a while you know you come across problems, things happen. I have had many new parts failed, but few who take care of the issue, everyone wants to give you the run around and as soon as you tell them it's on a replica - forget it.

Good price, can come completely adjustable for rebound and dampening if desired, light and can be chromed. One of the few things still made in the USA and at that time they were the best priced shocks around.

I would not consider buying another brand of shock/spring.

I had Aldan's for a few years, then going over a rough RR track, I blew both front's out, so I replaced all four with QA-1's. Even though I did not buy the double adjustment (wish I had) their a much better coil over than the Aldan's.

Everyone has their favorites, but as long as you buy one of the top 5 company's, for street driving, you won't see a lot of difference's. If you're road racing you car, that can be a different story and can make a big difference. Either way you go, pay the extra for the double adjustables. My singles rebound to fast and plan on replacing them someday.

It's also a good idea to scale your car, I did and wow, what a great change it made in the suspension and driving. Either buy or make a "strut" for all four corners or just two and set the fronts then backs. My car's weight was way,......of on all corners. Now even with a BB motor, the corners are about equal and 51% front-49% back.
Amazing difference ! I made my struts but you can buy them as Speedwat Motors in Lincoln Ne.

Let me know if you want more details.

http://i509.photobucket.com/albums/s...agedoor002.jpg