Shock Adjustments

[Swank911]

I am looking for a starting point,

I am upgrading the torions bars in my '73 911 with 3.0L to 22/28 F/R.

For now, I am staying with the Koni Sports I installed a few mile back. I do not have the cake to buy new Bilstiens with will require me to purchase new front spindles and all.

Where should I set the rebound on the Konis to deal with this extra spring? I would think to crank the rebound all the way to + to keep the torsion bars under control when the rebound from compression, but I have heard to apply less rebound than stock.

Any suggestion would be great.

Thanks

[Wil Ferch]

This is largely a trial and error process.... I would say ( perhaps) setting it at 1/3 of the way from full soft...and try that first.

To much rebound damping...and the car will "ratchet down" in switchbacks...the car will never be allowed to "come up" as it should after a rapid succession of compressions... kinda hard to describe. Maybe someone else here can speak to this aspect more clearly.

Wil

[johnsjmc]

The stiffer torsion bar will need some increased rebound damping to match the compression resistance provided from the bar itself. One or Two notchs from soft will make a big diff. I like a little more on the rear than the front.

[Swank911]

Thanks guys, I understand the components of suspensions settings. These are the anwsers I was looking for as I have never adjusted my suspenions.

[Wil Ferch]

Adjust and report back...this way we ALL learn....and keep learning....

Wil

[Hugh R]

I have an 84 does it also have adjustable shocks? I'm not in LA right now so I can't crawl under and have a look, didn't notice them being adjustable when I pulled the engine, but didn't actually look either.

[Wil Ferch]

Chances are not....stock for this car would have been Boge or optionally Bilstein from the factory ( maybe even Boge-Gas)..not typically adjustable. We're talkin' Koni's here...

Wil

[lateapex911]

Some of the Konis require pulling them out and twisting them in a sort of secret handshake ritual to adjust the jounce/rebound. (like mine, LOL...one ways)

[Swank911]

Here are the "simple procedures for a Koni Sport found on a '73 911


Fully compress the shock absorber, at the same time turning the dust cap or piston rod slowly to the left (anti-clockwise), until it is felt that the cams of the adjusting nut engage in the recesses of the foot valve assembly (fig. 1).
NOTE: Some shock absorbers include a bump rubber concealed under the dust cover and this must be removed prior to adjusting. Don’t forget to re-install.
Keeping the shock absorber compressed make 1 full turn (360°) to the right (clockwise). The total range is about 5 half turns (fig. 2).
Extend the shock absorber vertically for at least 1 cm without turning in order to disengage the adjusting mechanism. The dust cap or piston rod may now be turned freely.

WARNING: Adjust both left and right dampers identically. Failure to do so may lead to unstable handling and uneven tyre tread wear.
Koni

[Wil Ferch]

...and some Koni versions adjust with a simple , removable plastic knob that is placed over the top of the shock...about 2.5 turns total adjustment.

- Wil

[Swank911]

I don't think you even have to remove those., Just place on knob, adjust, remove knob

[Chuck Moreland]

For a track car,

Start full soft. Continue to tighten rebound until you feel the tire skipping under threshold braking, then back off one notch. You may never reach the skipping point with a standard koni sport, they only have so much range.

For a street car,

Adjust to taste, balancing control and ride. You should not exceed the range of a koni sport with 22/28 on the street.