365 Mk`1 rear suspension

Koni stopped rebuilding those levelling shocks years ago because by design they dont work and cant. Not sure what made them think something self-contained could magically raise the car. Im still running originals on the rear of my 400 without leaks and I like the ride height (which isn't as high as it should be) but when I get into the suspension I'll swap the 4 rears for adjustable coil overs and carry on. Originality is nice and I get it if you're having the car judged but having a suspension component that was a total banana move and trying to retain it just because doesn't make sense when there are better options.

 

I was recently told by Mirbach in Munich / Germany that they have someone at hand who can rebuild those.
I can try to get the name of said person if you want to!

Cheers

Esben

 

Thanks but no. Rebuilding them will result in a shock that doesn't do what its supposed to do which is why the Series 2 400i got a completely different system that actually worked. Not that I want that system either because it has it's own set of problems. I dont carry adults in the back nor do I pack the trunk with luggage, I run errands in mine mostly by myself.

 

I have a local guy I use to rebuild them, if you have a shock rebuilder near you have him take one apart. It can be a motorcycle shock rebuilder. They're not hard to rebuild and the piston rod is standard (5/8" I believe) so bulk rod is easy to get and cut to size as required. No need to send to Koni.

 

Just drop a mail to koni they will let you know who can service your shocks.

There are some self contained self-levelers: the Nivomat, these were used on volvo originally, but more widespread now.

The levelers substitute I've seen so far do look like repainted hi-jackers (so-so) or nivomats (better). Unfortunately I do not know which nivomats do fit!

There was also a suitable substitute documented by @Al Campbell .

 

When I first got my car the load levelers worked great. It seems like they were magic. When we drove up to Alaska had the wife and I plus two kids and the trunk packed completely full. When you first put everything in the car it would sag a little bit but after going over a few bumps the ride hight would be back to normal. Eventually they started to leak and the rear started to sag. Sent the shocks off to someone in AZ. The rebuild lasted less than a year. I ended up going with the adjustable coilover units. They work well but don’t compensate for the added weight. Sure you can adjust the spring perch to compensate for the extra weight but when you take the weight out the back of the car is too high. I’d gladly pay what ever they wanted if someone made new ones.

 

Picture of the car when completely loaded to the max.
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Original setup with the load leveler. You can see where the rebuilder added a Schrader valve to the load leveler.
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Setup with the adjustable coilover.
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Good day All,

Rumour had it that Koni made the load levellers at Ferrari's request. Interestingly, no other manufacturer used these load levellers and so it is no surprise that Koni eventually discontinued making and supporting/rebuilding them.

As for rebuilding them... I have heard of only one person that has successfully rebuilt them, but I recall that it was indeed a major undertaking. I would be curious as to how the rebuild is holding up.

Cheers,

Sam

 

Jeff Leblond, did fix them, and included a valve so as to refill them with nitrogen. Was long ago, and not heard about him for a decade...

 

Some interesting information on this site - https://forum.365gtc4.com/forum/main-forum/9439-rear-shock-nitrogen-psi and an explanation of how the leveler works here - http://365gtc4.com/Reference/RearKoniLevelerHandbook.pdf

 

Good day Al,

Thanks for the link! Great info. Just in case the comments on that site disappear, I am including them below:

Cheers,

Sam