Struggling with Koni Yellows...

[Reasoned1]

Installing a set of Koni Yellows. Tackled the rear shocks today, and I'm having the damndest time trying to adjust them--even after reading the piss-poor instructions and watching a bunch of crappy videos. I have the internally adjustable ones... I push the rod in, cannot feel any engagement, but turned the cylinder body CCW a bunch of times (trying for full-soft) while pushing the rod down--not an easy task. At this point, I'm ready to just install and hope for the best. Not at all sure how you'd balance the setting left to right... Frustration is setting in.

[3ZHP]

Installing a set of Koni Yellows. Tackled the rear shocks today, and I'm having the damndest time trying to adjust them--even after reading the piss-poor instructions and watching a bunch of crappy videos. I have the internally adjustable ones... I push the rod in, cannot feel any engagement, but turned the cylinder body CCW a bunch of times (trying for full-soft) while pushing the rod down--not an easy task. At this point, I'm ready to just install and hope for the best. Not at all sure how you'd balance the setting left to right... Frustration is setting in.

Did mine a long time ago and don’t remember adjusting anything but the top. That one you do with the round plastic tool that’s included.

If we did the other adjustment, we probably used a vice

My rears have always been in the middle. Fronts full firm.


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[BMWCurves]

The rears are not easy to adjust. I would get a cloth or something to protect my palm and push down on the piston. Once fully pushed in, if you rotate you should feel resistance at in one direction. Work from there. I basically did it from full soft about 3/4 of a turn and just did it until both rear shocks had the same rebound rate, not by exactly how much I turned the piston.

[holyc0w]

I think I depressed the shock against some wood, but I had somebody helping. I tried to get the rebound to the same speed, then I remembered about possible friction differences and just estimated a similar turn with both.

[Reasoned1]

Thanks, guys. I actually found a good video by "flipfinish" (NOT Koni) where he clearly demonstrates and describes how it's done. As you said, it's not easy under the best of circumstances. He used his brain and facilitates the process by using a hex key in the end of the shaft.

[ELCID86]

Thanks, guys. I actually found a good video by "flipfinish" (NOT Koni) where he clearly demonstrates and describes how it's done. As you said, it's not easy under the best of circumstances. He used his brain and facilitates the process by using a hex key in the end of the shaft.

Glad you got it. Yep, hex key with gloves and or rags. And maybe a piece of wood on the floor... getting the rebound close is key as stated above.

[Reasoned1]

What exactly do you mean by rebound rate? If you mean the rate at which they extend when released, I'm happy to hear it--that's how I adjusted them (in accordance with flipfinish's video) and they're fully installed now. HOWEVER, I also read (after install, of course) that that is an INCORRECT method of aligning the two shocks--the correct method being to align based strictly on the number of turns... which brings me to my big concern: Part of the reason I had issues is because one of my shocks (the one I started on) seems much stiffer than the other one. Furthermore, there feels to be a point on that shock at which the it gets much stiffer when being compressed--I fear it may be damaged although I did nothing to damage it. At this point, barring some indisputable guidance from somebody who knows what they're talking about, I'm just going to drive it to test it. I may give Koni a call to see what they have to say... grumbling...

[Vas]

Glad you got it. Yep, hex key with gloves and or rags. And maybe a piece of wood on the floor... getting the rebound close is key as stated above.Shawn and I have did the rear adjustment together and that made for a great picture.

But the rate at which the shock rod comes up from the body does not determine the stiffness.

Set both of them the same amount of turns when fully compressed. Fully compress the shock rod into the body, turn them with the key up to full soft and make adjustments from there.

It is kinda pita but after a couple of times you will figure it out.

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[Reasoned1]

F... third time's the charm, I hope.

[ELCID86]

I went pretty soft on mine. Especially the fronts.

[Reasoned1]

Well, Koni responded rather quickly, and I was able to talk through my concerns with a confidence-inspiring technical rep (so refreshing). Essentially, all of my perceived differences between the shocks are meaningless to the function of the shock, so I just need to to pull them out, readjust properly (counting the turns), and reinstall.

[Smolck]

I did a video. 1 turn from soft is the magic number IMO.


https://youtu.be/0DmhhcEYsVs

https://youtu.be/0DmhhcEYsVs

[Reasoned1]

I hate to tell you this but, although I benefitted mightily from your demonstrated use of the hex key, the comparison of apparent rebound rates, according to other posters and Koni technical support, has nothing to do with the adjustment and is why I have to uninstall, readjust, and reinstall my shocks this weekend.

[Smolck]

I hate to tell you this but, although I benefitted mightily from your demonstrated use of the hex key, the comparison of apparent rebound rates, according to other posters and Koni technical support, has nothing to do with the adjustment and is why I have to uninstall, readjust, and reinstall my shocks this weekend.

Maybe, but I can tell you that the when they match, they were the same number of turns. But counting them is the right way

[Reasoned1]

In my case, they had to have different turns to match.