Does the diablo have the front end lift to help negotiate curbs, like the? If it does, how much does it actually lift the nose? TIA Peter
My source tells me that all Diablos after 1993 were equipped with the lift system. It functions at low speeds (under 40 mph) to lift the front about 2 inches. It's a neat feature that utilizes hydraulic pressure from the power steering pump to extend the front shocks. Unfortunately the seals in the Koni shocks were not well engineered and as such they are prone to leakage problems. This system is also employed on the Murci and Gallardo.
mine leaked 2k to replace OR I just sent them out to a guy in Ohio to have a different seal intalled on it for $500 that is able to return to orginal size and not crack. Much better than dropping 2 for an entire new shock just to have it happen again!!
The new shocks are over $1600 each (+ labor) and they aren't any better than the old ones. They just don't leak YET. Claudio Zampolli has a fix for the "lift shocks" that includes a warranty (better than Koni gave). You can reach him via Joe Sackey's website. This is a really innovative feature on the cars, once you get it to work reliably. It is recommended that the car not be parked in the raised (under pressure) condition and that bumps be traversed at very low speeds to minimize the shock action when under pressure.
I have that crazy hydraulic system in my 97.5 roadster. After reading so many threads over the last year, I placed it in the lowest (read coolest ) position and DON'T TOUCH THAT BUTTON ! ( It's the one with a picture of a shock with two sideways arrows. Shamile Freeze...Miami Vice!
Don't be scared off by the warnings. It's really not as bad as it sounds, just a leak. The lift system will save your front end over speed bumps and driveways.
Your source is not entirely correct. The front end lift system started on the Roadsters (which started production with the '96 MY) And then in 98 it was added as an option to SVs (when the VVT motor was released-variable valve timing) It continued as an option in 99 on VTs and SVs (I think most if not all had it). And it is on the 6.0s I do not believe the first Gallardos (2004) had a lifting system. -J
Thanks for correcting, the source that I used for that particular information is below. http://www.lamboweb.com/Repairs_Section/Diablo/Repairs_Repairing%20Koni_Lifting_System.htm It would be helpful for you to complete your profile. I like to know a little more about someone who jerks my chain.
I got my shocks done by Claudio Zampolli and we tried like crazy to make them leak and still not a drop of oil. I drive with the lift system up while going over speed bumps I have parked the Diablo with the lift system up and still no leak. Thank you Claudio for the fix.
Hi Folks anyone know if Claudio is still doing these repairs? Have just found out mine are done and I have no plans to pay Koni for another set that will leak again. This situation with Koni is really annoying. It would be like Toyota saying 'yeah,the Prius brakes dont work properly.We admit that.But we're not going to address the defect - just continue making the same faulty ones'. best regards Nick
My 99 Diablo has the lift system. I don't use it much since I know the areas where I drive and drive at an angle out of parking lots with larger transitions. In someplace new or somewhere where the transition looks pretty serious, I do use the lift system but that isn't often. John Custer is the guy who can fix the shocks to keep them from leaking. His contact info is here: http://www.lamboweb.com/Repairs_Section/All_Repairs_Leaking_Koni_Shocks.htm I've never had mine leak but I have had two shocks break. In my case, it was the electronic screw drive in the shock that broke both times. I just had the shocks replaced, it wasn't a big deal. When one went, the automatic "hardness control" on the shocks would lock in at 3 or something, the red error light blinked and the car drove fine until it was fixed. There's a switch under the passenger side dash that you can flick to determine which shock is the one throwing the error.
Dear Lamborghinisti, I believe Claudio still modifies the front shocks. I haven't heard other wise. What I've heard is that his modifications do not let the shock leak again. One member on LP left the car in the up position for few days to test it and it didn't leak at all. After replacing mine....I'll go to Claudio next time. ...John Custer? He repairs shocks? I have his "Custer-rod" clutch actuator rod as my OEM Lamborghini one broke...due to the extremely poor design. ....have had it for about the last 5000 miles....no issues! Shamile Freeze....Miami Vice !
