Hi Guys! Might need a bit of help for my 1980 400i ( Series 1 ) Lately , I've been getting a lot of chatter from the rear passenger side ( nobody on board!!) It starts about ten minutes into the drive, that's probably when the oil in the shock absorbers gets into temperature.The noise is annoying, specially since the surface of roads in SE England is worse than many I've experienced in Africa. Strangely, the rear shock absorbers still seem to function, grip is still there and at static test, they feel normal. I'm inclined to think that the self levellers are on their way out. Before I start a frantic search, do any of you know a good source of Koni Self Levellers. These are the self-contained ones, they don't have a hydraulic pump. Is it best to buy new or re-con, and does anyone offer a good re-con product? Cheers Eric
There are several options for rebuilds. Go to Koni of North America for the "official" time-and-money-no-object route or try one of the numerous regional rebuilders. Less time and money on that path and I've tried both over the years. If you can find NOS shocks they'll be in the six to eight hundred range or were when I last checked about a year ago. Ouch...that hurts just to think about. But on the lighter side at least you only need six shocks total. There's always a silver lining I've heard...still looking....oh yeah we get to drive 'em. That's all I can think of at the moment. Best of Luck which ever way you go.
Thanks for the info! Just as I feared then... Nevermind! The silver lining for me is that it makes the parts prices on my other cars (60s and 70s SL Mercs ) appear cheap. The Mercs are lovely, but they're not works of art like our Ferrari
European F400 Club has a shop in France that rebuilds them. Dunno for how much, I can ask. Not sure if its cheaper with international shipping...
Are the shock bushings okay? That may cause a simular sound. A new set of 4 bushing will cost you a much as a good bottle of scotch. I got mine of a UK supplier!
Not sure about the condition of the bushings, I'll have to take a closer look. It would be nice if it were just those. Thanks for the tip about the European 400 club's repairer, I'll be in touch with them. Obviously I want to wait til the bad winter days just in case the car is stuck for weeks without rear suspension.
