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Finally getting around to replacing my shocks with Konis. After removing old OEM shock, I noticed the bottom part (the part that connects the shock to the knuckle - see image) is about a dime thicker on the OEM vs the Koni. I'm concerned the Koni will move around once installed.
Does this difference matter?
Will tightening the knuckle/shock bolt compensate for the difference?
The shocks are universal for 03-08 Accords/TSX/TL.
The TSX has a more skinny mounting point.
You need a washer in between there or you will crack the knuckle when you try to tighten the bolt.
Did they not come with a shim?
Also a good time for a friendly reminder to tighten the bushing bolts only once the suspension is at ride height (don't tighten bushing bolts with the car raised in the air with wheels dangling).
Thanks for reply, no washers or shims in package. I may try to find the shims from Koni but this is starting to feel like the proverbial last straw. I'm sure these Konis must handle well, but I think I'm going to order OEMs shocks and take the loss on the Konis. This is just one out of many issues I've had with these shocks (plastic cap attached crooked, extension-failure issues on shafts). This was my first non-OEM part and quality control was not what I was used to.
Thanks for all the help. I would not even think of attempting this job without the help from you and the rest on this board. It may be another few weeks before new parts arrive and I can complete this, but I'll update then.
Thanks again. I emailed seller for washers and will try again. Any other tips for the installation of koni orange, front and rear?
I could not find a DIY, so I was using the service manual exclusively. The SM obviously did not mention the washer issue for the rear shocks because the SM assumes user will use OEM shocks. I realize the front will not need washers, but I'm wondering if there are other installation differences compared to OEM.
Thanks again. I emailed seller for washers and will try again. Any other tips for the installation of koni orange, front and rear?
I could not find a DIY, so I was using the service manual exclusively. The SM obviously did not mention the washer issue for the rear shocks because the SM assumes user will use OEM shocks. I realize the front will not need washers, but I'm wondering if there are other installation differences compared to OEM.
Thanks
No worries.
Do the Konis come with their own fork tabs on the front shock?
Or do you need to swap them over from the stock shocks?
Koni yellows have a tab, but not the same as factory. It’s been so long since installation, but I do recall other threaads saying to install two washers per side, on rear Koni shocks. Honestly, can’t remember If they came with the shocks. I wanna say no, and I believe my mechanic had some, that fit. I’ll have to look!
One piece of good news, Koni is sending the washers.
My front konis come with a tab (see picture). The circumference of the Koni just under the tabbed area is 5 5/16 inch. If anyone knows the circumference of the OEM front, please report. That way, I can start to plan how to adjust the Koni to the car.
Slip the fork over the shock. Make sure the tab lines up with the slit in the fork. The bolt should slide past the shock easily, via that groove/indent in the shock case.
So it looks as if the rear shock washers are the only additional parts/mods needed.
Slip the fork over the shock. Make sure the tab lines up with the slit in the fork. The bolt should slide past the shock easily, via that groove/indent in the shock case.
So it looks as if the rear shock washers are the only additional parts/mods needed.
*** Use the following information at your own risk. I struggled with this project.***
As Brolando mentioned, make sure you line up your damper correctly. If the tab does not line up with the fork (the SM mentions the tolerance for error is +/- 3 degrees), you will need to uninstall assembly from car, compress, adjust, decompress, and reinstall. Ask me how I know.
Koni did not send spacing washers. The koni orange rear damper is about 5 mm thinner than the OEM rear damper at the point where it connects to the knuckle. One of the other posters warned that not fitting spacing washers could cause your knuckle to crack when you torque the damper/knuckle bolt.
I used eight 12mm ID/0.25 mm thick (2.0 mm combined thickness) washers on the first side of the damper. These 8 thin washers were a pain to install, but they allow you to add/subtract washers to mimic the snug OEM fit (YMMV). I used a single 12mm ID/2.5mm thick washer on the other side.
Everything else was a straight swap from OEM. The koni front bottoms were a little longer than OEM. I needed to push down hard on the suspension to get the clearance to fit the damper into the fork. A second person would help for this part.
In got the same shocks and h&r sport springs ready to go on my 07 type s..I hope I don't have any issues w the rear..my shocks came w no washers..I did get set of 2 rubber grommets a nut and a small hollow cylinder for each shock..
looks like my part number on rear shock is
8050 1656 27 17
I did get set of 2 rubber grommets a nut and a small hollow cylinder for each shock..
I got the same items for each shock in 4 plastic sealed bags. When I emailed Koni for the spacing washers, they sent me another 4 bags of the same items but no washers. I had to get the washers on my own.
Not sure if the 07 tl-s knuckle is different. Another poster said the washers are needed because these dampers are also used in the tsx which has a smaller knuckle. Good luck.
05-08-2018, 10:27 AM
