[airborne.s2000]

I recently installed Koni adjustable shocks with GWR Roadstersport Springs on my RF. So far, I like them, except for adjusting the rear shocks. Unlike many other options out there, Koni doesn't offer an adjuster extension.

So, time for modification fun. I want to determine how to make an extension similar to those offered by MeisterR, BC Racing, Xidas, Ohlins, etc. for the Koni shocks.

Before I begin, does anyone know if any of these other brands have a similar adjustment knob to the Koni?

Here is a pic of the back of the Koni knob:

[Jumperthumper]

What does the knob plug into ? Is it a metal oval ? Could you mill a coupler in aluminium with set screws to connect to male part and set screw to hold in place and use a standard bowen cable ?

[bill keksz]

The other brands have smaller knobs.
That’s the new Koni knob? Looks like how I modified my old Koni knobs, to get access the left rear shock.

[airborne.s2000]

Originally Posted by Jumperthumper

What does the knob plug into ? Is it a metal oval ? Could you mill a coupler in aluminium with set screws to connect to male part and set screw to hold in place and use a standard bowen cable ?

This is why I post. I assume you mean a Bowden cable, like the cable bicycle brake and shifter lines feed through. Assuming the internal cable was sufficient resistant to twisting forces, that setup would work (and seems to be how other manufacturer's extenders function.

The top of the shock has a flat blade sticking out of the threaded portion of the shock rod, and this knob just sits down on it like a reverse flat blade screwdriver.

Maybe I can find a set of extenders for another brand that someone still has after getting rid of the shocks, and modify the extender with a different attachment.

[airborne.s2000]

Originally Posted by bill keksz

The other brands have smaller knobs.
That’s the new Koni knob? Looks like how I modified my old Koni knobs, to get access the left rear shock.

This is a knob for a rear shock, the knobs for the front shocks have a standoff post.

[Weeblebiker]

the reason the koni knob is so big and why there are no extensions is you are preloading the rebound valve spring, not turning a needle valve. it will take way more torque to adjust than what the normal damper extenders will handle.
I made these extenders out of some flex drive pieces in preparation for running koni's but decided to go a different root after doing more research. the only thing left is making the standard 1/4" hex socket fit the tab. I was planning on slotting a couple 1/4" hex aluminum standoffs to finish them out.
pm me if interested.

[RBNetEngr]

The MeisterR extenders have a cable with a hex end on it, which fits into the hex socket on top of the shocks. I can’t measure it now, but it’s probably 2-2.5mm.

But as others have said, on these other shocks you are adjusting the position of a needle valve, so it doesn’t require a lot of torque to turn the adjuster.

[airborne.s2000]

Weeblebiker's idea looks like it will work. He just sent me the first prototype. When they arrive, I will document the install and functioning. Here's hoping these work out.

[cwarner]

Originally Posted by airborne.s2000

Weeblebiker's idea looks like it will work. He just sent me the first prototype. When they arrive, I will document the install and functioning. Here's hoping these work out.

I would like to see the details on those. I was thinking about something similar for the rears. I installed Koni's with the GWR Progress RF springs. I also installed the GWR Roadstersport V2 front shocktower brace to give access to the front adjusters.

You mentioned in the initial post on this thread that you installed the GWR Roadstersport Springs on your RF. Were those the 300lb/in front and 200 lb/in rear springs or did you mean the Progress RF springs? If they were the GWR Roadsersport springs, how is the ride height front and rear?

[airborne.s2000]

Originally Posted by cwarner

You mentioned in the initial post on this thread that you installed the GWR Roadstersport Springs on your RF. Were those the 300lb/in front and 200 lb/in rear springs or did you mean the Progress RF springs? If they were the GWR Roadsersport springs, how is the ride height front and rear?

I bought the RoadsterSport Spring Set 300#F/200#R Right now the ride height is essentially OEM because of the shock perches I chose. I am pulling the shocks back off soon (probably this week) to drop down a perch on both sets, looking for a little lowering.

[cwarner]

Originally Posted by airborne.s2000

I bought the RoadsterSport Spring Set 300#F/200#R Right now the ride height is essentially OEM because of the shock perches I chose. I am pulling the shocks back off soon (probably this week) to drop down a perch on both sets, looking for a little lowering.

I would be interested in seeing how the ride height is after you change it. I am on the Progress RF springs. They are just about right on the second perch down in the rear, but the front is a little lower than I wanted. I also want to go further in spring rate than the RF springs give.

[airborne.s2000]

Weeblebiker's custom extensions arrived this weekend, so I took the suspension apart and installed them onto the rear shock arms. These work a treat, and are pretty clean and easy.

Here are pictures and explanations -

First off, here is one of the extenders in parts on my bench. On the left is essentially a 1/4" hex flexible extension. The small piece in the middle is a chunk of hex Weeblebiker slotted to fit over the adjustment blade on the shock. On the right is a collar that mounts onto the top of the shock's shaft. Finally, I modified the Koni adjustment knob by drilling it out and gluing in a hex head adapter I had laying around. Next pic is a closeup of the slotted hex piece.


Here is the collar connected to the flex shaft, and then the slotted hex adapter attached to the adjustment blade -


And now, the whole assembly connected to the top of the shock. The collar replaces one of the bolts on the shock rod.


Installation follows normal rear shock installation (be very careful not to scratch your fenders -


Now, button everything up in the trunk -


I only made one hex head knob, but will probably end up making another so I have a spare.

[Weeblebiker]

glad it worked like I had it figured.
especially designing them with no konis in hand.
do they turn relatively smoothly for adjustment? I didn't think the curve would be enough to make the shaft bind.
ya can use a "1/4" hex finger driver" for a knob also or any 1/4" hex driver handle laying around.

[Weeblebiker]

anyone who's interseted, the aluminum bit is a aliexpress set of aluminum m12 x 1.25 lug nuts cut down and tapped with m14 threads on the open end for the flex drive pieces with matching threads cut on the plastic. so a m14 tap and die and a lathe and cutting a 1/4" deep slot in two 1/2" length 1/4" hex pieces with a 3/32 endmill is all that is necessary maybe $30 in materials shipped or less, don't recall, they've been sitting under a bunch of Russian electron tube patents for a few years.

I'm still sitting on 18 more lug nuts

[Weeblebiker]

I'm interested in both your opinions on the progress and roadster sport springs with the konis set soft.
did you need a spring compressor to install them or are they just long enough to take up the full stroke?

[airborne.s2000]

The knob turns smoothly, I'd guess the shaft has less bend in it than I would often contort such an item using it with my impact driver, and certainly has less torque running through it. I mostly wanted to adapt the Koni adjustment knob since it has the 'firmer' 'softer' directions marked on it.

Originally Posted by Weeblebiker

glad it worked like I had it figured.
especially designing them with no konis in hand.
do they turn relatively smoothly for adjustment? I didn't think the curve would be enough to make the shaft bind.
ya can use a "1/4" hex finger driver" for a knob also or any 1/4" hex driver handle laying around.

[airborne.s2000]

I did need a spring compressor for the install. I bought a nice toolkit on Amazon so I have it on hand if I don't like how Okami sits on the perches.

I need to go out for another drive now that I have the FM sway bar installed (working on brakes so the wheels are off right now) then I will give more feedback. I rode with the new shocks and springs with stock swaybar and OEM spring height last week. Felt slightly tighter than the OEM Bilsteins, but quite comfortable. I changed over to full firm on the back and half-firm on the front for an AX event and left them that way for the drive home. Noticeably stiffer and a bit jouncy.

Originally Posted by Weeblebiker

I'm interested in both your opinions on the progress and roadster sport springs with the konis set soft.
did you need a spring compressor to install them or are they just long enough to take up the full stroke?

[Weeblebiker]

I should also add I can make 9 more sets if anyone is interested and doesn’t have access to the necessary tools.
Pm me directly.

[cwarner]

Thanks for taking the time to document the installation. Do you think you could install these adjuster extensions without taking the shocks out of the car? Looking at the install photos, it looks a little tight to the top of the trunk.

[Weeblebiker]

could it be done? maybe but save yourself the grief.
it's a pain in the butt working in the back of the trunk and the flex extensions black housings are fairly stiff. it would be difficult to not crossthread something and very very time consuming in an akward position threading the parts together a quarter turn at a time and readjusting the flex and turning another quarter and readjusting, etc,,,
been there done that installing my Tein EDFC stepper motors and right angle extensions. when I removed the engle extensions and mounted the stepper motors directly I took the suspension out to do it and the whole process was quicker and easier than working in the back of the trunk

[cwarner]

That is what I thought. It looked pretty tight with them installed and one needs some clearance and length for the threads. I was thinking about ways to use one of those ~90 bend adapters for the hex drives as an alternative. If I figure something out, I will post it.

[Weeblebiker]

there is enough room above the 50mm aluminum connector to not make a hard angle in the flex segment once installed. there was plenty of angle room above when I dry fitted them slipping over the m10 bilstien shaft but that is different than trying to slip down the 1.15" straight above the shock shaft while making sure the slotted hex engages the tab and keep everything veriticle and centered and not crossthreading while turning with the flexshaft on top. I looked at all possabilities and this is the most effiicent solution I came up with without doing serious custom design and machine work to attach a flexable shaft extension capable of handling the torque load to the damper's m12 threads after several several look-sees and measurements of the area around the damper top.
do post what you come up with

[MiataSpeed.net]

Very similar to what we did for the Ohlins... I was going to say that we have a few different end versions and could make a compatible adapter for the Koni (if there's enough interest) but, the force to turn the Koni is significantly higher than the other shocks we make these for, so the cable portion may need to be a bit beefier. We use a 1/4" cable but the Ohlins turn rather easily.

https://www.miataspeed.com/collectio...mper-adjusters

[cmbyrd]

Originally Posted by Weeblebiker

I should also add I can make 9 more sets if anyone is interested and doesn’t have access to the necessary tools.
Pm me directly.

I'm becoming more and more of a Luddite the longer I've been 29

Not sure if I actually messaged you properly or not, but it's super hard to get an end mill into an apartment without the landlord getting upset. I'd love to get a couple of these from you if you've still got the parts.


Thanks (=

[Weeblebiker]

Originally Posted by cwarner

Thanks for taking the time to document the installation. Do you think you could install these adjuster extensions without taking the shocks out of the car? Looking at the install photos, it looks a little tight to the top of the trunk.

I'm working on making it so ya don't have to take the suspension off. making the first set this week. thanks for making me think it harder.