If you are looking to significantly improve your suspension, consider KONI. As a leader in the industry, KONI is committed to offering the finest quality product with optimal performance. While other manufacturers concentrate on mass production, KONI focuses on the quality and specialist segment. The following guide will outline important information you should know when considering an upgrade to KONI, such as damper type, adjustability, lowering and the KONI limited lifetime warranty.

To attain the best handling characteristics, every KONI application is developed for a specific vehicle. Most factory dampers are chosen for financial reasons rather than performance, and the outcome generally produces a lower technology, cheaper product. In some instances, a factory damper may have a few good characteristics, but need help in other areas, and there are even a few instances where the KONI engineers found better handling by softening the factory dampers. Again, this all depends on the specific vehicle and its factory equipment, and KONI is exceedingly aware of the importance of tailoring to each vehicle's needs in order to provide optimal performance and ride comfortability.

Special (red) vs. Sport (yellow): In a continued effort to produce product that best meets the needs of each vehicle, and the needs of the driver, KONI offers the Special (red) and Sport (yellow) lines. The KONI Special (red) is engineered to improve the vehicle in general, providing better comfort and road-holding combined with a higher level of safety. The KONI Sport (yellow) generally starts at a higher initial valving baseline to give a sportier feel, and works best on vehicles with higher performance parts. Its characteristics include responsive steering, improved body control and limited body movements when braking and accelerating, all resulting in a direct feel and excellent wheel-road contact. For some vehicles, KONI offers a Special or Sport damper, and not both. Many newer vehicles are manufactured with higher tech suspension systems and wheel/tire packages, so they would move directly into the KONI Sport range; however these dampers are still valved to provide a comfortable ride with very good handling capabilities.

Shock vs. Strut: You may have seen the term shock and strut used to describe the same product. We use the term shock in all of our item listing titles because most people search for this term, regardless of whether their vehicle has shocks or struts. However, our listings descriptions always provide an accurate explanation of the actual product being sold (Standard Shock Absorber, McPherson Strut Cartridge, or McPherson Strut Complete Housing).

The fundamental difference between a strut and a shock is that a shock only controls the cars motion, while a strut is a locating member of the suspension. Basically, if you remove a shock the spindle or axle will still be completely attached to the vehicle, where if you remove a strut the spindle or axle will be able to move outside of its normal motion. Shocks and struts may or may not have a spring mounted to them, and although it is often assumed that any damper with a spring is a strut, this is not the case.

Inserts for Sealed Struts: In the past, damper manufacturers have been unable to provide product for vehicles with sealed housings. However, KONI has designed a method of installing inserts into sealed housings which allows the use of performance dampers where they were previously unavailable. It has become common practice for auto manufacturers to save money by using factory sealed strut housings rather than the traditional threaded closed housings when they build new cars. Whenever possible, KONI will make a complete strut housing damper but sometimes the necessary spring perches and mounting brackets are unavailable or financially impractical to produce.

By designing the KONI Cut-A-Strut insert system, many vehicles with factory sealed struts now have performance damper options. The installation requires basic tools, including a cutting device (hacksaw, grinder or pipe cutter) to open the strut housing as well as an electric drill. It generally takes 15-20 minutes additional labor per corner over a traditional strut insert installation. KONI has been using this method very successfully for many years on numerous applications from Porsche to Ford, Honda to Hyundai. Please contact us for more information and a copy of basic instructions for installation.

Adjustability: Unlike most, all KONI shocks/struts/inserts are adjustable. KONIs are either Standard adjustable or Externally adjustable. Externally adjustable dampers ensure trouble-free adjustability, utilizing an adjustment knob that fits directly on the top of the damper, and KONI aims to provide externally adjustable dampers whenever possible. Unfortunately, the design of some vehicles make it impossible to physically access an adjuster on the car, or have mounts that prohibit the use of an externally adjustable damper. In these cases, the shocks/struts/inserts are still adjustable but must be removed from the car to do so.

We cannot necessarily advise you on the best adjustment for your KONIs, since every driver has different needs regarding comfort and performance, and since driving conditions can vary dramatically depending on the type of driving and driving conditions. That said, KONI suggests that all new dampers be installed in the full soft position (the standard setting right out of the box) to take advantage of the ride comfort and handling intended when the damper was manufactured. If the vehicle has performance upgrades, such as springs, wheel/tire packages, etc., or the driver is looking for a bit more aggressive ride, you may find the optimum setting in the 1/2 to one full turn from the full soft range. Over the extended life of the damper or if the driver wants a specific firm handling characteristic, the dampers can be adjusted up higher. Very rarely will KONIs ever need to be adjusted to the full firm setting. Adjustment is a matter of preference, and with the full range of adjustability that KONI offers, all drivers can achieve the best possible comfort and handling for their circumstances.

Lowering: Thinking of slamming your vehicle? Please read this important information about lowered vehicles and KONI suspension. KONIs are designed to fit standard height cars and can work with lowered cars as long as they don't bottom out internally and become damaged. Unlike some shocks, KONIs are not position sensitive so they will work properly anywhere in their stroke range providing they are not bottoming or topping out. Different vehicle suspension designs have different stroke travels but a good rule of thumb is that most vehicles can be lowered acceptably about 1 1/2 inches, beyond that the possibility of bottoming increases rapidly although some longer stroke cars can go lower. Most vehicles are equipped with bump stops to keep the shocks and springs from bottoming out. When lowering a vehicle be sure to reuse your bump stops as they are cheap insurance to avoid bottoming damage. Remember also that severely lowered vehicles typically also have a negative effect on suspension geometry, ride quality and handling, and tire and suspension part wear. Do NOT use KONI suspension products if your vehicle is lowered more than 1 1/2 inches, as this may void your limited lifetime warranty.

Warranty: KONI offers a lifetime warranty to the original purchaser against defects in materials and workmanship and against wear out for as long as you own that car registered for street use. The warranty does not cover damage to the parts caused by misuse, misapplication, installation, motorsports, etc. The warranty does not include mounting bushings. If you determine you have a defective damper you should contact KONI North America directly. To process your warranty, KONI will require a copy of the purchase receipt and the vehicle registration. You will then be supplied with return goods authorization (RGA). To ensure the integrity of the return, KONI requires that all "defective" dampers be inspected by their engineers before replacement. For more specific information, please contact us for a copy of the warranty as provided by KONI.

After much deliberation and research, we have determined that KONI Suspension products are among the best in the business. KONI research engineers are backed by KONIs many years of experience in motor racing. KONI has held a prominent position in the racing world since 1955. This includes 13 World Championships in Formula 1, and numerous victories in all categories of motor racing, such as Le Mans and Indy races. If you're looking for the best road handling, while maintaining ride comfortability, then KONI is for you; and although the price tag may be a bit intimidating, KONI dampers will be a lifetime investment that will never disappoint. Please contact us for further information regarding KONI or the products they may offer for your vehicle.

- To ensure accuracy, some technical information and content has been provided by KONI North America literature and resources. Please contact us for further information.