400i rear suspension self leveling

Is your leak in the central control lever or the shocks themselves? There are a few shops that say they can rebuild any Koni shock (and these levers). I had a pair of shocks rebuilt at FJB Shocks in AZ. Since I had bought a pair of NOS shocks that I put on the car, I was not in a hurry to get them back and they have not been on the car so I can not vouch for quality. They did take a long time and a lot of prompting to get them back. I would look for alternates via this forum. Thew units can be rebuilt; it is just a matter of o-rings and seals.

 

Someone had posted that they used Performance Shock Inc, 29139 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, CA 95476. I bookmarked it and still have their page open on my phone, so it was within the past year. Looks like just performanceshock.com for the web site. 1-800-965-5664. They have a downloadable service request form online.
I have a pair of Q1 coil over shocks and the forward pair of self leveling hydraulic shocks in place. That way all the hydraulics except for the rear pair of shocks is in place. Sits nice, and the rear height can be adjusted. Rides nice too. I think though that there is a restriction or something in the circuit as I get a hydraulic squeek (like fluid through a restriction) on some bumps somewhere around the passenger side front seat.

 

I sent the rear shocks and self-levelling valve control arm for my 1986 412 to Ferrparts who had Performance Shock in Sonoma do the refurbishing last year. They were about the only source in North America able to do the work (lots of stories about how Koni are very difficult and basically refuse to let their distributors provide any kits, parts, and service both here and also in Europe).

I was very pleased with their work, and relieved I could keep my 412 in its original specs.

To your point, before the refurb, my 412 sagged at the rear whenever parked and engine switched off, even though there were no leaks as such from the system or components. When engine was started, the car rear raised itself to the standard height and worked well with different load weights in the trunk, and with different number of passengers too, so very good and comfortable when driving it.

Of note is after the refurbishing, when the engine is switched off, it no longer 'sags' at the rear and maintains the standard ride height when parked. I'd recommend them to you and think you'll be happy with peace of mind.

My approximate cost for all was US $2500 which I thought was very reasonable, and probably compares well to your other alternative choices.

Cheers Oliver

 

Hello Ferraristi!
This sounds fantastic!
I am a F412 owner since the year 2000. My problem is what is the right pressure to be set in the new accumulators?
Nobody seems to know.
The original accumulators is KONI-made but they have no answer!
Looking forward for your help.
Best regards
Carfinder-42

 

Hello,

the rear accumulators are rated at 155 BAR.

You can use the same ones that I used for Mercedes Benz, but some minor modifications need to be done to the brackets.

 

I would not pressure them to the full rated pressure!
Ken