Koni shocks changed the ride height

rocky79 · 01-21-2015, 03:19 PM

Hello all
I replaced the blown stock shocks with Koni sport yellow. I noticed after installation that the car sits higher to the point that it looks excessively lifted upfront.
It doesn't look normal to me. Do you think it's something with the installation?
Shocks alone shouldn't make that much difference.

inTgr8r · 01-21-2015, 04:36 PM

Shocks shouldn't make any difference.
they don't carry load, the springs do.

I'd check your installation and/or if you got the right shocks.
The only way they would carry load is if they were too long & bottomed out.

rocky79 · 01-21-2015, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

Shocks shouldn't make any difference.
they don't carry load, the springs do.

I'd check your installation and/or if you got the right shocks.
The only way they would carry load is if they were too long & bottomed out.

Thanks for the reply, I installed them at an indy shop. What should I check?

Front Struts part#
8741 1450LSPORT
8741-1450RSport

Incompatible · 01-22-2015, 09:40 AM

From running Koni shocks/struts on a Datsun 240Z (many) years ago, I remember that it took several hundred miles after the install for them (seals/valves?) to break in and the car to ride level and at normal height. Might be the problem but from your picture, I would think an install or incorrect part problem.

jdoublehcubed · 01-22-2015, 11:25 AM

looks suspicious to me. if they both increased that amount I would say it was the shocks, but the front only doesn't make sense.

Taylorguy74 · 01-22-2015, 05:26 PM

I think to me from your pics it's a perception problem - that being said, I can only judge on the 2 pics. The pic angle seems different. What is the official measured difference, or is it only visual?

rocky79 · 01-22-2015, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taylorguy74

I think to me from your pics it's a perception problem - that being said, I can only judge on the 2 pics. The pic angle seems different. What is the official measured difference, or is it only visual?

I haven't measured it before but to me it's obvious that I have gained an estimated 1/2" in ride height at the front.
I am taking the car back to the shop for an inspection.

KevinC · 01-22-2015, 06:48 PM

Over a few decades, I've experience this a few times. Not supposed to happen, but still does for whatever reason. Most recent example was adding Bilstein HDs to my Z4MC a few years ago. Definitely came up about ½ to ¾". But over time, it has settled back to a "normal" stance. Weird. Something to do with gas-pressurized shocks? I dunno. In my most recent case, it's not new springs "settling", because they were not replaced.

rocky79 · 01-23-2015, 07:51 PM

Interesting, how much gap do you guys have between the wheel and the lip of the wheel bay? on stock suspension.
Mine is about 2"

Steeler · 01-26-2015, 08:55 PM

Incorrect bump stops?

OptionlessM · 01-28-2015, 12:58 AM

Check that the shocks seated all the way into the steering knuckle up front.

01-21-2015, 03:19 PM	#1
rocky79 Private 6 Rep 69 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 Coupe 3.0SI Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: SoCal/OC iTrader: (0)	Koni shocks changed the ride height Hello all I replaced the blown stock shocks with Koni sport yellow. I noticed after installation that the car sits higher to the point that it looks excessively lifted upfront. It doesn't look normal to me. Do you think it's something with the installation? Shocks alone shouldn't make that much difference. Attached Images __________________ Do it yourself Illustrative site. http://diyrabbit.com/ Last edited by rocky79; 01-21-2015 at 03:25 PM..
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01-21-2015, 04:36 PM	#2
inTgr8r Lieutenant General 2426 Rep 11,667 Posts Drives: M2 Comp Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (10)	Shocks shouldn't make any difference. they don't carry load, the springs do. I'd check your installation and/or if you got the right shocks. The only way they would carry load is if they were too long & bottomed out. __________________ '21 M2C Hockenheim Silver '18 718 Cayman S Lava Orange (sold) '13 E92 M3 Santorini Blue (sold) '07 Z4 M Coupe Alpine White (sold)
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01-22-2015, 09:40 AM	#4
Incompatible Major 55 Rep 1,224 Posts Drives: 07 AW Z4C 3.0Si Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1)	From running Koni shocks/struts on a Datsun 240Z (many) years ago, I remember that it took several hundred miles after the install for them (seals/valves?) to break in and the car to ride level and at normal height. Might be the problem but from your picture, I would think an install or incorrect part problem. __________________ If you can't take the time to teach a kid something good, someone will take the time to teach them something bad.
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01-22-2015, 11:25 AM	#5
jdoublehcubed Mechanical Engineer 96 Rep 1,025 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4MR, Imola Red Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Anaheim, CA iTrader: (1)	looks suspicious to me. if they both increased that amount I would say it was the shocks, but the front only doesn't make sense.
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01-22-2015, 05:26 PM	#6
Taylorguy74 Enthusiast 16 Rep 245 Posts Drives: 2016 550i M-Sport Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Texas iTrader: (1)	I think to me from your pics it's a perception problem - that being said, I can only judge on the 2 pics. The pic angle seems different. What is the official measured difference, or is it only visual? __________________ 2016 550i M-Sport 2008 328i M-Sport (Sold) 2007 Z4M Roadster (Sold) Last edited by Taylorguy74; 01-22-2015 at 05:31 PM..
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01-22-2015, 06:48 PM	#8
KevinC your average JAMF 3094 Rep 4,092 Posts Drives: '21 M2 Comp, '19 Golf R Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cochise County, AZ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 VW Golf R [0.00] 2021 BMW M2 Competi ... [0.00]	Over a few decades, I've experience this a few times. Not supposed to happen, but still does for whatever reason. Most recent example was adding Bilstein HDs to my Z4MC a few years ago. Definitely came up about ½ to ¾". But over time, it has settled back to a "normal" stance. Weird. Something to do with gas-pressurized shocks? I dunno. In my most recent case, it's not new springs "settling", because they were not replaced. __________________ '21 M2 Comp '19 Golf R
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01-23-2015, 07:51 PM	#9
rocky79 Private 6 Rep 69 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 Coupe 3.0SI Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: SoCal/OC iTrader: (0)	Interesting, how much gap do you guys have between the wheel and the lip of the wheel bay? on stock suspension. Mine is about 2" __________________ Do it yourself Illustrative site. http://diyrabbit.com/
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01-26-2015, 08:55 PM	#10
Steeler Colonel 2428 Rep 2,704 Posts Drives: Built not Bought 04 Z4 VF Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Kitchener Ontario Canada iTrader: (2)	Incorrect bump stops? __________________ W2A Intercooled Vortech V3Si, custom ducting, Alpha N, 60# Bosch,2.62 pulley, multi port WMI, Severn Tuning(pokeybritches), Tial, magnaflow,SS race muffler, 42 design,3.91LSD, H&R, Hotchkis,ST coils,Konis, Megan camber arms, AKG SS, Nylon mounts, Poly bushings, Carbon interior, CF Aero.APEX
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01-28-2015, 12:58 AM	#11
OptionlessM Banned 12 Rep 25 Posts Drives: '07 Z4MC Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Cupertino, CA iTrader: (0)	Check that the shocks seated all the way into the steering knuckle up front.
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