Koni shocks-Rebuild or Replace

buy new ones, no brainer.

 

Birdman had his rebuilt and wasn't happy with the job.

He said he got scr**ed. I think he wrote about it in one of his threads.

I say get new ones too. Or aftermarket.

 

QA-1's!!!!

 

Carabou, I think thats the name will rebuild your konis & modify for height adjustability. I wish I had done it, otherwise I think Tire rack has one of the best prices.
Bill

 

Yeah... for $2,640.00 (4 shocks with springs from Carabou). I looked into it as I was considering replacing my originals with adjustables.... Great concept but too expensive.

 

Ted Rutlands has a new Koni shock package deal that offered all-new shocks, shock boots, and the shock bushings for $1,000 total. Springs almost NEVER go bad (I had one broken, the other three corners were fine), but if they do, they're not expensive at all, so long as you buy aftermarket and not OEM.

 

I bought mine from Tire Rack when I redid the shocks on my ex-308. Get the shock bushings from Daniel at Ricambi

 

QUESTION: Is there such thing as lowered springs (just the springs) to lower the 308 or is it the adjustable coil over the only way to lower the car?

 

Try SuperformanceUK for 308 springs. They don't give any data on the website, but IIRC they are shorter and stiffer than stock and do lower ride height so ask them for details:

http://www.superformance.co.uk/a-308/suspension.htm

 

They are about an inch shorter and 25% stiffer than stock. Superformance told me that they are shorter "in order to get the same ride height as the stock springs, despite the 25% extra stiffness"

FWIW

Hans

 

New Koni shocks from ProAm in Houston is the way to go.

http://proamtdw.com/page15eao4.htm

Fantastic service, free shipping, less than $600 for set of four shipped from Koni. Just need to pick up bushings and install.

Put them on my '78 308GTS when I replaced the other suspension bushings.

Already great Ferrari ride improved 100%


These folks are a pleasure to work with.

 

1. Do not even think of having them rebuilt. It *WILL* cost more than replacing them once they add the parts in. TRUST ME. And they will NOT be as good as new.

2. Springs sag over time. Many fchatters have had this issue including me. You might think your springs are fine, but if you replace them with new ones the car will ride HIGH...i.e. exactly like it did new. Leading to....

3. New springs will make your car look like the off-road vehicle that it resembled from the factory. If you are really lucky, you will get the motorboat look with the front end higher than the rear as was typical of the 308. (Look at any period photographs or factory prints/posters).

My advice is to replace the shocks/springs with adjustable aftermarket (QA1s). They are cheaper, better, adjustable, lighter, better looking and you can pick any spring rate you like. It seems like a lot of work, but not really because Verell has all the bushings and shock eyes you need for drop in replacement. No more work than replacing the Konis.

Birdman

 

This is what I am doing too.

BUT.... where to purchase the QA-1's???