dabest09

iTrader: (1)

So when I change out my shocks I need to put anti sieze on the top nut?

RebelExtrm02

iTrader: (3)

I put anti seize on everything I put on my car. For the cost/benefit, it's silly not to. What I'm saying is yes, you need to use it.

UMD_Jesse

iTrader: (6)

Id go a step further and say you should paint the tops with something that will better withstand the conditions they see. It may make the nut a little harder to get off when you need, but harder should be better than impossible. If I had to do mine over Id put maybe some primer and maybe even platicote...something

One more thought.....Do any of you guys think it would be adviseable to drill a small hole through the upper rubber mount thing to let water drain out???

lees02WS6

iTrader: (5)

I've thought about stripping the shock bodies and repainting in POR15, and then top coating in POR hardnose dark yellow, and my car never sees rain or snow. Maybe this is too much work for most, but if you're car does see regular duty maybe that's thing to do. Along with greasing the nut at the upper mount.

Jersey Mike

iTrader: (9)

Agreed on the POR15 thing. Definitely given it some thought. Obviously, the top nut has nothing to do with Koni; that happened with my DeCarbons that saw daily duty in NJ for the first 10 years of their lives.

The main difference I noticed, as far as rusting, was from the shaft downward. The 10-year-old DeCarbons still look better than my front Koni yellows do after 2-3 years of life, and next to no winter driving. As long as they're still performing, I have no intention to get rid of them--I just wish they didn't look like they were eligible for Social Security.

UMD_Jesse

iTrader: (6)

I thought of doing something similar...but I still maintain this is rediculous.
In terms of performance the koni shocks are terrific. however, based soley on durability I want to note the my Koni shocks are the single most rapidly corroding and deteriorating item on my car. Heck....the Goodyear eagle DS G3 tires I bought when those shocks were installed still have about half the tread left.

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

Have you called Koni?

UMD_Jesse

iTrader: (6)

I called them once and they offered to rebuild them for about %80 of the cost to buy new + shipping and a 30+ day wait. That was before I tried to disassemble everything. I had to destroy the shocks to get the springs off. At which point I pretty much gave up on koni. $1000+ is too much to spend on a second chance.

But Like I said at the start, Im not looking for a free pair of shocks, a hookup or even sympathy. However, I would be totally satisfied if I got an email from koni stating that the've heard the complains and are building a more corrosion resistant setup as a result.

I only made this post to share my experiences with the others on the thread. I am not asking for any resolution or anything from anybody. Other users can chime in with their experiences as well. The reader will have to add it all up and make their own choice. I appreciate everyones comments, and all viewpoints both good and bad should hold equal weight.

All, take what you will from this thread.

UMD_Jesse

iTrader: (6)

....and yet miraculously UMI, Spohn, BMR, etc all seem to accomplish this monumental 'post-powdercoat-bushing-press-in-feat' routinely. In fact ever seen a product from any of the quality sponsors on this site who powdercoats AFTER bushings are installed? I havent. Its all about pride in work vs cutting corners.

z28bryan

iTrader: (7)

I'll take them off your hands cheap

South

Did you oil spray at least the rust prone areas of the new set? I get my van sprayed every year and it definitely helps. Just an idea…

4WOFURY

iTrader: (2)

This.

I've been thinking about this, wondering whether it would weaken the structure of the upper shock mount in some way, or whether the water would be able to drain anyway.

Thoughts?

Jersey Mike

iTrader: (9)

I finally managed to snap pictures.







A little saddening to see this. They still work though.

dabest09

iTrader: (1)

That's surface rust from the paint chipping off. They aren't deteriorating..

2QuikTA

Agreed.

The Guz

iTrader: (8)

Agreed. Sand them down and repaint them.

fspeedster

iTrader: (6)

Looks like corrosion to me, not just surface rust.

SparkyJJO

iTrader: (11)

Rust is a form of corrosion, so surface rust is corrosion.

UMD_Jesse

iTrader: (6)

lol....took the words right out of my mouth.

i love how 3 people in a row agree that rust is not corrosion?!

anyway....Perhaps its hard to see in the pics, but if those konis are like mine, the metal underneath was also starting to lift away in layers

lees02WS6

iTrader: (5)

I was just about to say that. I'd wire wheel (gently) the surface rust, sand them down and repaint them (por-15, then por hard nose yellow).