docgatorx8er

iTrader: (10)

I bought some Koni Yellow adjustable shocks for the RX8. Did not change the factory springs.

The rears are set at 50%.

The car is sitting significantly lower. It is actually "bottoming out" sometimes now, which it did not do with the factory shocks. It's not just stiff, but the car is lower.

Is this normal? Are the Khoni yellows set to ride significantly lower?

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

I have Koni Adjustables on my car with S-Techs and they should not be bottoming out.

50% stiff? that's pretty stiff for a Daily driver.
The car should sit a little lower but not much lower.

docgatorx8er

iTrader: (10)

I don't use the car as a daily driver. I use it strictly for autocross. But I do drive to and from the course.

Any idea what would cause this??

imput1234

iTrader: (6)

It's spelled Koni. Can you post a pic of the car with stock springs and konis, I wanna see how the drop is like. thanks

rxaddict

The shocks might lower the car 1/4" or so, which may be noticeable but not "significant". Do you mean the car is bottoming out, or are you hitting the bump stops?

Razz1

this has been reported before.

only fix is new springs.

docgatorx8er

iTrader: (10)

The car is low enough that it will scrape pulling in my garage. It is also hitting bump stops. So both.

It is lowered by several inches, not a 1/4"

I don't understand. What is different about the shocks that I would need new springs. What could be wrong with the springs that was supported by old shocks?

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

old shocks = tokico high pressure struts
Konis = low pressure gas shocks

they're going to beat up the stock springs pretty bad, they shoudln't be toast yet but the springs won't last long with the Konis.
I swapped out springs at the same time to avoid this.

I think what's happening is you're hitting the bump stop. did you reuse some of the parts (bump stop, etc) when you did the install?

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

yep--the shocks will not lower the car per se.
50% on the rear--dang dude thats stiff.
you need a stiffer spring with th konis. tein h is one good choice.
od

mwood

None of what I've read so far makes any sense...the spring holds the car up, not the shock. If the shock has greater damping ability than the spring requires, it will not impact the spring or the shock...on the other hand, if the spring requires more damping than the shock can provide, you have an issue. Since this is stock springs with the ots Koni yellow (which many of us have run successfully, with no bottoming or other issues), I'd look to the hard parts and install.

Who installed your rear shocks? Have you looked at the rear suspension to try to determine what is going on?

HeavyMetal699

I agree ^^^

If the stuff about springs is true every RX-8 in BS would be in trouble. Sounds like somehow the install got messed up.

dannyc

What arms did you remove to get the shock in? Is it possible that the bushings are binding in the bump direction somehow? I read on here that this was a problem on the fronts. Still, it's usually in the droop direction since the car is jacked up.

docgatorx8er

iTrader: (10)

The shocks were purchased at TireRack and installed at my local garage. I don't have the knowledge to diagnose what's wrong. The garage does not seem to have an answer either, so I posted the question.

The car sat fine on the Tokiko OEM shocks.

RK

iTrader: (1)

Not sure doc. Couple good threads to point the mechanics towards tho they're all a little different than your issue.

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-wheels-tires-brakes-suspension-55/rear-too-low-stock-spring-koni-shock-wtf-131498/

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...nstall+problem

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...nstall+problem

If you can take pics the way Astral did and post them up in the suspension forum someone will probably be able to see what's wrong.

NgoRX8

iTrader: (1)

OEM springs may be almost entirely compressed on the konis which would be why your car is lower. if that's the case any extra force on top of it would caused it to bottom out or the coils to come in contact which each other.

mwood

WTF?

We're talking about ots Konis, extended length is plenty to work with the stock spring length...

The springs/shock combo is NOT the source of any issue, here...

docgatorx8er

iTrader: (10)

Thanks for those links. I"ll give that to them! Good place to start.

HeavyMetal699

Just to be sure you have the right shocks (not sure if any others would even fit) check the part numbers.

Fronts: 8241-1226
Rears: 8240-1227

NgoRX8

iTrader: (1)

ahh missed some posts, if the spring/shock combo works for others it seems to be an install problem. should not be bottoming out with play in springs.

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

it's gotta be an install problem.
Were the stock parts reused? I remember having to drill a gold ring in order to get the koni to fit. bump stops reinstalled properly?

something's either missing or not tightened down properly

HeavyMetal699

Yup gotta drill out the stock washers for the install.

docgatorx8er

iTrader: (10)

Yes, I confirmed multiple times that they were the right part numbers. Tnx

Gonna take it back to the garage tomorrow with the notes you guys gave me. Tnx.

docgatorx8er

iTrader: (10)

Bump stops. What bump stops? I walked into the shop and they were still sitting on their workbench.

Other than installing the bump stops back in, the car is fixed, but they don't know why!

Thanks for all your help!!!!! I appreciated it guys!

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

I knew something had to be missing! Glad to hear it's fixed

NgoRX8

iTrader: (1)

wow, lol. did they not read the instructions? glad you got it fixed.