Koni Active Shocks

[nj888]

So, I have steeda version with progressive springs, I hear thumping noise on all four corners but only happens when I first drive, then it is fine. But my biggest problem is the ride quality when I hit a bump it just unsettles the car and gets some bounce as well. Does anyone have the same issue?

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[shogun32]

Does anyone have the same issue?

yes. I think these shocks are not valved for springs an iota stiffer than stock GT or at most PP1. It's unfortunately really.

 

[nj888]

yes. I think these shocks are not valved for springs an iota stiffer than stock GT or at most PP1. It's unfortunately really.

I see ya, I am so disappointed with this.

 

[tj@steeda]

So, I have steeda version with progressive springs, I hear thumping noise on all four corners but only happens when I first drive, then it is fine. But my biggest problem is the ride quality when I hit a bump it just unsettles the car and gets some bounce as well. Does anyone have the same issue?

This should not be a characteristic of the Active Shocks & Struts with the progressive springs - we recommend the pair on our spring guide:

Please shoot me an email to [email protected] with your order number, make/model of your car & other performance parts & I will have our install team look into this.

I am sure we can get you squared away.

TJ

 

[GT 550]

I see ya, I am so disappointed with this.

Hey NJ I'm running Koni Active's which I suspect are either very similar or slightly higher rated than the Steeda units, I didn't get the Steedas simply due to pricing issues over here. Springs are BMR 763 which are marginally stiffer than stock. I couldn't be happier with handling or ride quality for a DD car on good and bad roads. Bumpstops are absolutely critical on these dampers, I'm running Eibach units.

Steeda will sort it out for you.

 

[TeeLew]

I found this. While there aren't any scales or units, it's maybe enough to see what they're trying to accomplish. Something to keep in mind is that the slope of the damping curves also matters (it's an indication of how much damper force increase you get to a change in piston velocity - for ride comfort you really want small slopes, which is what conventional dampers' blowoff valves seek to accomplish).

Norm

Koni is gonna be pissed when they find out that smooth roads still have a lot of high frequency content and rough roads still need low frequency control.

The 'active' valve is actually an inertial valve. That means it's not really frequency dependent, but it depends on the damper piston acceleration. You can almost bet that if you did some real testing, you'd find some pretty nasty force generation variations. It'll be open when you want it shut and shut when you want it open. This is probably why they mention a 10 hz opening. To work well, it would be have to pop open about 2 hz. They've probably stiffened the inertial valve quite a bit in an effort to keep the damned thing shut most of the time.

 

[shogun32]

We had this tech gosh 15 years ago at least, in motorcycle forks. Compared to the orifice bleed damper rods it was improved in square edge compression. But didn't do a whole lot in rebound unless you welded the bleed orifice shut.

It's a reasonable idea, just needs more r&d

 

[slxne]

Update: it was the shocks. Just installed some Bilstein B6s today and there’s no more noise, no harshness, rides smoother. Should have bought them from the beginning. I’m relieved as hell and very happy.

Koni Actives are trash, especially on a lowered car. I’ll leave the fronts in cause they’re fine but down the road I’ll replace them if needed.

Don’t fall for the marketing BS. Koni’s quality is garbage. Should have stayed away knowing their sport dampers can be crashy.

That’s all I needed to hear after reading this whole forum lol, I have the same issue you have

I’m currently running Koni Special actives with Steeda progressive sports and my ride quality is horrible

 

[slxne]

I have another 4-6 of the Eibach rear bump stops if anyone's looking. The 'Active' shocks are significantly lacking in rebound - I recommend against, assuming my set were not defective in some manner. I need to go dyno them.

How much? I’m interested if you still have them 4-5 years later

 

[S550HPP]

That’s all I needed to hear after reading this whole forum lol, I have the same issue you have

I’m currently running Koni Special actives with Steeda progressive sports and my ride quality is horrible

Very interesting. I wonder if the Koni installer used an impact spinning the shaft ruining the dampers....

I just removed 22 mth old B6 Struts because the low speed ride was horrible....Koni Active are amazing with zero street performance loss.

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