Does anyone know the correct Orange for these, or do i have to trawl the paint racks in Halfords? G.P. Image Unavailable, Please Login
I cleaned my shocks and took them to an autopaint supply house. They matched the color and provided a quart of paint. They now look like new. Jim S.
Graham. You're tearing your car apart and rebuilding or replacing every nut and bolt, right? At least have these checked carefully, or rebuild them of you want. I replaced mine for not a ton of money, and it was well spent indeed. Of course I also did all the bushes and the springs and... well, you get it. So, repair or replace? Dave
Stratos and Dave - I am in full agreement that function is more important. I had mine rebuilt a few years ago, and during this most recent restoration I tested them on a vice (not scientifically, but to my satisfaction). Hence, convinced that they were in good working order, my task was to make them look good. Hence, the trip to the paint shop. Jim S.
Jim. Agree completely. When I had my suspension apart, I didn't need to scrape the guck off and repaint, but why not while there? Same goes for shocks, or any other piece of the puzzle for that matter. Lots easier to make them look pretty while apart. DM
Boys, I am spending a small fortune on this project. Of course i would replace them if it deemed neccessary, BUT i have an invoice to show that these were replaced in 2000 and the car had only done 200 miles since! So as i don,t have money to burn i think a slosh of paint is all they need. G.P.
Hi Graham, if you take them to a local paintshop, they should be able to colour match it pretty accurately, I think they are more red than orange on Koni stuff. They are also only £400 for a new set! from Mike. Even if they have been on the car for 200 miles and 6 years, it would be worth getting them serviced and at least an oil change. Shocks are designed to weep microscopic amounts of oil to lubricate the seal tip as the seals on them don't have any spriongs inside. My matey up here does shock servicing if you want them done. His name is Hans and he is on 0141 779 2335, he has done a set for my matey with a 308 GT4 already! Alasdair
So if a new set of Konis sat in a car unused for years, they should be serviced before use?! If that's really the case, it's a fargin pain in the butt! But (however)I am grateful for the info.
15 or 20 year old parts, that have fluids sealed by rubber gaskets and valves that control ther flow of the oils inside is what a shock is. I think 20 years of exposure to those fluids might tend to reduce the effectiveness of them, even if the car isn't driven. Remember they can be rebuilt, too. And if you're the person who put the shocks in originally, they're covered by Koni's lifetime warranty, I bet. But I'd yank 'em and check 'em if I had the rest of the bits apart. Doesn't Ferrari recommend changing belts on their car at a time and/or mileage? I would think the same should apply to any non metal part. I wouldn't drive on 20 year old tires, either. DM Image Unavailable, Please Login
I was wrong,they were replaced in January 2002 at a cost of £315.00 for the four. Al yes i agree with what you're saying about being designed to weep but that would only be whilst in motion and not static, so with all this in mind NO i am going to paint them as they appear good as new mechanically and unless you were mad or had unlimited wealth (or both) i think that you would be inclined to agree. Regards, G.P.
Not going there! Won't do it! Everything on this thing is new ....now old stock, I am not changing that stuff out. If I start down that road again, this thing will never be finished!
If they are still good functionally and only 4 years old with only 200 miles on them, couldn't you just clean them up and re-use? This way you have original paint and original Koni stickers.
Truth is, they had gunk on them, Soooooo i wiped them with a rag dipped in thinners........ AND OFF CAME THE PAINT!!!!!!!!! and i thought sh#t what a pratt i am! there you have it.
Hopefully you realize that Koni factory will restore these for you (assuming you want to send it out), including paint, etc.
The shocks are perfect and certainly not worn and now i have the correct paint code and my local part shop(through the secret hole in the hedge behind my house)have even had an can of aerosol made up in the correct colour!! What more could anyone ask for. Oh of course except for the correct Koni triangular stickers to replace the old ones?? Regards G.P.
Koni stickers are available. I found them on E-Bay. They have all varieties, including triangles and wings. Jim S.
