Getting Konis Rebuilt Is a Joke!

[seventythree]

I sent out an inquiry to Koni-NA concerning getting Koni dampers rebuilt. This is the response I got:

"$165 each plus parts. Parts can run $80-100 per damper and turn around right now is about 8 weeks"

To which I replied:

"Pardon my ignorance, but why would anyone pay for a rebuild when a new damper is available for less? For a Porsche 914, fronts are listed for ~$200 and rears for ~$225 from your own website! No pun intended here, just an honest question."

I haven't got a response yet, but I will keep you guys posted.

It would be somewhat understanable if the above pricing was for custom revalving, but just for a rebuild?

I guess that's why people in the know post used Konis for sale at ~$50/pair.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Because you can have them built to spec. So they will be set up as well as possible for your particular car/weight/spring/tires combination.

--DD

[seventythree]

I understand Dave. But what if I just want a simple rebuild to standard specifications?

Plus, I think we're just assuming that the price quoted would be inclusive of any customization.

[quicksix]

Then buy new.
I mean,you asked them a price for a service,right?
They quoted you a price,right?
You think the price is out of line,right?
Then buy new.

[seventythree]

Thanks for chiming in quicksix.

I think it's pretty obvious from my original post that if I decide to buy Konis, I will buy new.

However, I have been on this board and others like it for 10+ years and have read a lot of things about Koni dampers, but I still didn't know what it cost to get them serviced. All I ever read was how great it was that they could be sent back to be serviced.

I am not asking anyone to help me digest this bit of unexpected information; I just thought it would be helpful information to others in making their purchasing decisions.

[mepstein]

If you had a set that was NLA or unique to your car, you would want them rebuilt. It is more work for them to take apart and restore an old shock than assemble a new shock with new parts but it is nice to see the company will offer this service if desired.

[quicksix]

73,
Actually it was not obvious to me what you were going to do.
It read like you were going to keep us updated on the response of koni na.
I sent my (bilsteins) in to have them revalved after Rich Johnson raised the spindles.
They work great,the car handles great,and it cost me more than new.
It was worth it.

If you have a stock car,go new. if you have a custom application,you are going to pay for performance.
Did you ask originally that you wanted custom work or did you assume?
Good luck with your build,I would love to see some pictures.
Where are you located?
Post your location,you might meet tons of people in your area that can give great advice.

[seventythree]

Just got an answer from Koni concerning the economics of a rebuild:

"Well a lot of people that are restoring old vehicles that come with Koni dampers from the factory. People with vintage dampers that match the car. Most of the time it is cheaper to buy new if you don’t want a re-valve or any other custom work done. Our rebuild facility if more intended for custom and race dampers."

Makes perfect sense.

Moral of the story: when buying new dampers for your non-custom application,

1) pay more for Konis if you want or need adjustability

2) don't pay more for Konis based on the premise that, a few years down the road, you can send them in for refershening at a fraction of the cost

I certainly learned something new over the last couple of days; hoping this will be helpful to others as well.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

IIRC, they also rebuild the shocks for free if you are the original purchaser of the shocks. I could be wrong on that, but I thought they offered a lifetime warranty and would rebuild the old shocks for that by default.

--DD

[seventythree]

The warranty language clearly limits the scope of coverage to "defects due to materials or workmanship". Whether they would actually extend warranty work to include normal wear & tear, I have no idea. It would be nice to know if that's the case.

[TdiRacing]

TrueChoice Motorsport in Columbus Ohio also rebuilds Koni's and is authorized repair facility. I had some custom valved and rebuild a few years ago and they were perfect. They did my rear shocks for 914 as well. They are ready to go in once engine is running again.

[Scrappy]

If you have the receipt from the original purchase, they are supposedly rebuilt free as they carried a "lifetime" warranty. Now how many have a receipt from the '70s?

[Joe Bob]

I know Elephant Racing does Bilstein revalving/rebuilds, ask if they do Konis.