M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => Suspension => Topic started by: M42boy on July 26, 2006, 10:29:07 PM

Title: Adjusting Rear Konis?
Post by: M42boy on July 26, 2006, 10:29:07 PM
So, I was told by the guy I bought my kit from that only the fronts were adjustable, but when I was climing under the car this weekend, I noticed the word "Adjustable" stamped into the rear shock (although hardly noticable).  

So, I presume the rears are adjustable...  

Can one adjust these with the shock inside the car?  How do they adjust?  And, if they can be adjusted, where is it best to set these....  Full hard?

Inquiring minds want to know.  ;)
Title: Adjusting Rear Konis?
Post by: StreetSpec_iS on July 26, 2006, 11:00:59 PM
you need to compress the shock fully, and then rotate the shaft.

Obviously, it is easiest done with the shocks out of the car, but if you drop the bottom bolt, you can manage to do it with the shock in situ. Just jack the car (safely, or use hoist), get underneath the car, undo shock, push shaft upwards, rotate.

I cant remember which direction for Firm/Soft, sorry.
Title: Adjusting Rear Konis?
Post by: e9nine on July 27, 2006, 08:44:42 AM
Haha...late discoveries rule!

http://www.koni-na.com/adjustment.cfm (http://www.koni-na.com/adjustment.cfm)

I can help you adjust it on Saturday time permitting. The shocks are marked showing which is soft and stiff. You disconnect the lower 19mm shock bolt, remove the bumpstop, compress the shock, lock it in the groove and adjust then decompress it, bolt it back up and you're done.

Here's a nice guide for suspension adjustment

http://www.bmwe30.net/cgi-bin/datacgi/database.cgi?file=articles&report=view&ID=00087&Section=05 (http://www.bmwe30.net/cgi-bin/datacgi/database.cgi?file=articles&report=view&ID=00087&Section=05)

It's been so long since I adjusted mine (don't adjust it much as I am satisified with the monkeying around and leave it as it has been now since this is "optimal to me") but I believe mine is set up with the front softer than the rear
Title: Adjusting Rear Konis?
Post by: silverblades181 on July 27, 2006, 02:22:54 PM
are the konis stiffer then the bilstein sport? What about the J-Stock?
Title: Adjusting Rear Konis?
Post by: e9nine on July 27, 2006, 03:02:05 PM
Quote from: silverblades181
are the konis stiffer then the bilstein sport? What about the J-Stock?

They can be made to be stiffer since they are adjustable.

Bilsteins can be custom valved to suit a spring rate and vehicle application

J-Stock Bilsteins are specially valved and not OTS Bilsteins
Title: Adjusting Rear Konis?
Post by: M42boy on July 27, 2006, 06:38:39 PM
Quote from: e9nine
They can be made to be stiffer since they are adjustable.

Bilsteins can be custom valved to suit a spring rate and vehicle application

J-Stock Bilsteins are specially valved and not OTS Bilsteins

Konis can be 'dialed in' and therefore can be made stiffer than the Bilstiens.

The rear J-stock shocks are also designed to run inverted.  

They are quite different from stock Bilstien Sports.  Remember, they are valved to match the J-Stock springs which are progressive up to 1000 lbs in the rear!
Title: Adjusting Rear Konis?
Post by: silverblades181 on July 28, 2006, 01:49:54 PM
Yes I know the J-Stock are revalved Bilsteins. But some people swear only by Bilstein, some other only by Konis, I'm trying to see why. I love my bilstein sport btw, but the red konis on my friends VR6 jetta are stiff as hell and I like the feeling :D Granted he has 18 inch wheels...I guess I'll wait till I can source out the 16 inch original Alpinas I so desperatly want.