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Koni red / yellow lifespan?

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Old Jul 7, 2008 | 11:19 PM
  #1  
slow_90firebird's Avatar
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From: Manchester, CT + Nashua, NH
Car: 90 Firebird Formula
Engine: LO3
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 one wheel peel
Koni red / yellow lifespan?

Anybody know how long koni's usually last?

I have a chance to buy a set of 4 (red front struts, yellow rear shocks) at a good price.

However, they are well used, with 55,000 miles, and are 10 years old. The guy says that they are still working great, however, I dont want to drive the distance to buy them and then help remove them, if they are gonna be just as worn out as my factory WS6 shocks. I need something to absorb real shitty roads, and be able to handle a mild 1" drop in the near future.

I know that Koni is a goos shock, but I also know that most shops / mechanics recommend replacing shocks / struts every 30k miles at least.
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Old Jul 7, 2008 | 11:21 PM
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InfernalVortex's Avatar
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From: Macon, GA
Car: 1992 Camaro RS
Engine: Vortec headed 355, xe262
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 9-bolt 3.70
Re: Koni red / yellow lifespan?

According to Koni, teh shocks should outlast whatever car you put them on.

That said... who really knows?

Just depends on how good this price is.

I bought some used Konis, and I think they're fantastic, but as far as I know they're nly a couple of years old.
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Old Jul 7, 2008 | 11:37 PM
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slow_90firebird's Avatar
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From: Manchester, CT + Nashua, NH
Car: 90 Firebird Formula
Engine: LO3
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 one wheel peel
Re: Koni red / yellow lifespan?

Hmm, I wonder if they are really that good that they would not wear out like any other shock... I mean I know they are better than the monroe and gabriel trash, but parts that move wear out, and gas and oil leak, its inevitable.

I will have to see if anybody else chimes in, that has had them on for a significant milage, from new. How many miles are on your used ones?
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Old Jul 8, 2008 | 12:17 AM
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From: Sacramento
Car: 91 RS
Engine: 350 TBI
Transmission: WC T5
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Posi
Re: Koni red / yellow lifespan?

I would never put shocks and struts on my car that are that used, no matter what brand it was even if they were free. They aren't exactly the easiest thing to just go swapping out.
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Old Jul 8, 2008 | 12:53 AM
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Re: Koni red / yellow lifespan?

Depending on the price, it may be worth having them rebuilt.
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Old Jul 8, 2008 | 01:42 AM
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Re: Koni red / yellow lifespan?

Before I even read the first post, I was going to come in here just based on the title and say aprox 10 years. I would personally not touch them.

I have had Koni's on my Vette since my father owned the car new in 1968 and between he and I have had them rebuilt 3 times- this car is never used that often either. Its not milage, it age and the seals and gas charge deterioration you have to be concerned about.

I have mine rebuilt only because they are not over the counter valving. They are custom valved to begin with. Otherwise, I would have just bought new ones if they were readily avaliable in the valving I have- its about the same cost.
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Old Jul 23, 2008 | 07:35 PM
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From: Stouffville, Ontario
Car: 83WS6TA
Engine: ZZ4
Transmission: TH350C
Axle/Gears: 3:23
Re: Koni red / yellow lifespan?

I'd just get new ones ones rather than **** around with used stuff particularly as replacing the fronts is a fair bit of work and new Yellows aren't really that expensive.
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Old Jul 23, 2008 | 07:56 PM
  #8  
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From: Manchester, CT + Nashua, NH
Car: 90 Firebird Formula
Engine: LO3
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 one wheel peel
Re: Koni red / yellow lifespan?

Originally Posted by George
and new Yellows aren't really that expensive.
Each front strut is about a weeks worth of pay for me, give or take a little depending on where I bought them from...
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Old Jul 23, 2008 | 10:11 PM
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From: Stouffville, Ontario
Car: 83WS6TA
Engine: ZZ4
Transmission: TH350C
Axle/Gears: 3:23
Re: Koni red / yellow lifespan?

I ain't rich either but a new set is likely to be the last set you will buy.

I thought the price was steep until I found out that one shock for my old man's car cost what I paid for a new set of Yellows.

But, yeah, I understand what you're saying.
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