[200q20v] new shocks/springs on order; what consumables should be replaced?

[Bernie Benz]

Brett, 

FYI.my Koni experiences: 10 or 15 years ago when I was into Lancia Betas,
others reported, and I had several Konis "go hard" freeze up, often causing
something in the suspension to break.  Conviently, Konis may be
disassembled, which I did, and found that they had an internal polyurthane
rebound bumper that had disinagrated and particles of same had plugged the
orfices and valving within the piston.  So, Koni had selected the wrong
material for this bumper, a problem that I would hope that they may have
long since corrected.

At that time I was into overhauling both the stock Lancia and the Koni
replcement struts.  The Konis were great struts, better than new, after a
cleaning of the valving, replacing bumpers, bushings, seals, and refilling
with ATF.  Audiwise, I have done this overhaul on the Konis that I have on
the rear of my '87 5KTQ with the same, better than new, results.  Koni's
adjustable rebound damping feature is useful both in the initial suspension
rebound adjustment for critical damping, and to later, further compensate
for rod bushing wear and retain critical rebound damping.  A great feature.

Bernie 

> From: Brett Dikeman <brett at brettd.dsl.speakeasy.net>
> Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2001 11:27:54 -0500 (EST)
> -snip-
> a)my family has been seriously burned by Konis(my father got an
> airbag in the face because one of his Konis completely failed; caused a
> LOT of damage); they have a reputation for lots of failures(I've spoken to
> mechanics who spend a lot of time checking them over before they go
> into a car...
> 
> Brett