Sport Applications Lowering a car to make it handle better involves the changing of both the shock absorber and the spring. The two parts must work in harmony for any significant improvement to be gained! The fitting of springs alone is the most popular modification because the main motivation is cosmetic, and the costs are relatively small.
Big performance gain for very little money?? NO!
Generally these cars do not cope well on bumpy roads and premature failure of standard shocks and other key suspension components result. Ride quality is poor and handling can be compromised (not improved). The big question therefore is “Why do the resellers of sport springs always claim that their particular brand of spring works well with standard shocks”. The answer is simple they don’t have a sport shock absorber solution to offer you, so rather than lose the sale they will lead you to believe what you are doing is correct.
A sport shock absorber (better known as a damper) is generally stiffer than a standard damper and therefore allows the car to react quicker, feel sportier, and be more responsive. It can achieve this even when some of the valuable suspension travel has been removed by the fitting of a sport spring which is lower than standard.
A general misconception when fitting springs only is that the springs are too hard and that is why the ride is bumpy. What is actually happening is that the standard shock is too soft and the suspension is bottoming out on to the bump rubber (the bump rubber is a rubber or polyurethane stopper that is fitted on to the Damper shaft to stop metal to metal knocking).
SUV and 4X4 Applications
There are many specialist off road suspension kits available on the South African market, unlike most of these brands KONI is the actual Manufacturer of the shock absorbers and not just a marketing company that sells a semi brand (product produced by another company carrying your name) Their experience is vast and their research and development unrivaled by any of the competitive brands.
The build quality of a KONI shock absorber is the first thing that will impress you, stronger welds, better bushing material and general quality finish. The adjustability is another great feature, allowing custom applications and client specific ride needs to be catered for with out rebuilding or replacing the shock absorber. Long term wear characteristics can also be tuned out with the adjustments.
It is vitally important for customers to accurately identify what they want from the vehicle and more importantly what they do with the vehicle. For example if you take the vehicle off road often, and suffer with ground clearance issues, by all means have a suspension system fitted including a lift kit (longer springs, or longer shackles). If you have increased the static weight of the vehicle by adding a winch, stronger bull bar, roof racks etc, then have heavier duty springs fitted.
If you use the vehicle generally as a daily drive and occasionally go off road or load the vehicle you should think twice about changing the springs. Motor manufacturers are very concerned about the additional strain on their chassis’s and often the ride quality is compromised. Most 4x4 suspension companies will simply push you to buy a complete suspension package including springs, with out really qualifying your specific needs.
Remember you might need to drive the vehicle every day with a set up that is ideal for the once a year you go off road, and this will become an irritation. 95 % of 4x4 owners will benefit solely from the fitting of a high performance shock absorber giving them a safer ride, more stability, and greater traction on dirt roads or bad surfaces.
The performance of the Koni shock absorber is quite different to an OEM part or inferior after market part for the following reasons.
A Shock absorbers primary function is to resist movement (control) of the suspension or stop the resonation of the spring. The faster the shock moves in and out (the higher the frequency) the harder it gets, the performance graph would be a linear curve, Speed (frequency) over resistance (forces) See attached graph.
The symptoms of this in the vehicle are,
Under harsh braking, high speed turning, and manoeuvring at parking speeds, the shock moves slowly and therefore has no resistance. The car will feel sloppy and excessive body roll is the result. At high speed shock movements the shock goes very hard, this will reduce traction on corrugated dirt roads and make the vehicle very bumpy on bad road conditions.
KONI shock absorbers have far more control over the movement of the suspension by offering a more flat response curve. This ensures that the shock absorber is stiffer when it is moving slowly, making the car feel more assertive, firmer, and limiting body roll. At high speed shock movements the valving is softer and this gives more comfort, and better traction of road.
Truck , Bus and Trailer Koni shock absorbers will be effective on commercial vehicles for approx 1,000,000 kilometres (three times the life span of OEM and other after market parts) because the shock is adjustable and the inevitable wear factor can be tuned out. Due to our flat valve response curves, the truck, Bus or trailer suspension will perform perfectly either empty or fully loaded. Reduced tyre wear, and fuel savings are often overlooked when purchasing shock absorbers for commercial vehicles. Many truck distributors in Europe actually fit the KONI parts to their vehicles before delivery to the new owner.
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Koni B T T ( Bus , truck, and Trailer ) shock absorbers will cut down the cost per kilometre by at least half , whilst making the vehicle safer , more stable , and reducing fuel and tyre costs drastically
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