Koni Strut Blown - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

vubaru · 06-10-2013, 11:37 PM

I had my Koni front struts blow on RCE Yellows after about maybe 1k miles. Will check with the shop that did the install to see if they'll warranty it or if Koni will warranty it, but I'm stumped. The Koni's seemed like a great product, and I can't believe they failed. They were at half turn from full stiff and installed by a reputable local shop (Works).

Driver's side strut appears to be ok, if you push down on the top-most rubber nib on the top mount, it's completely dry. Passenger side is still leaking fluid.

Are you not supposed to use stock top mounts with the Konis? What do you guys think is going on? I haven't touched the struts since the install.

Edit: Looks like it's time to warranty.

whataboutbob · 06-10-2013, 11:50 PM

Ouch.

Asphalt~86 · 06-10-2013, 11:58 PM

vubaru · 06-10-2013, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whataboutbob

Ouch.

Was hoping for more input than that! Obviously we have a failure here but I'm trying to figure out what may have caused what...

suaveflooder · 06-11-2013, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vubaru

Was hoping for more input than that! Obviously we have a failure here but I'm trying to figure out what may have caused what...

Not a lot to tell you unfortunately. Just a bad strut. It does happen. My stock strut failed right around a thousand miles as well. I would just have Koni replace it for you.

Can you pull that rubber top off and give us some pics of inside?

OrbitalEllipses · 06-11-2013, 12:02 AM

Koni warranty time!

vubaru · 06-11-2013, 12:03 AM

So you think I'm looking at a product failure as opposed to improper install? Obviously I haven't posted photos of the entire assembly but everything appears to my eyes to be installed properly, although I haven't torn things down yet.

Good news is the rears appear to be fine.

Not only do I need new front struts but top mounts, too! ugh..

Those of you who know me, know the amount of ridiculous crap I've had to deal with in my project, and this is just par for the course. Kind of hilarious when you think about it.

Front Struts: 0, My Car: 4*.

suaveflooder · 06-11-2013, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vubaru

So you think I'm looking at a product failure as opposed to improper install? Obviously I haven't posted photos of the entire assembly but everything appears to my eyes to be installed properly, although I haven't torn things down yet.

Good news is the rears appear to be fine.

Not only do I need new front struts but top mounts, too! ugh..

Those of you who know me, know the amount of ridiculous crap I've had to deal with in my project, and this is just par for the course. Kind of hilarious when you think about it.

Front Struts: 0, My Car: 4*.

Love Koni's. I ran them in my M3 and LOVED them. You might not be able to run that top rubber piece with that tab. Can you post pictures without the rubber cap? There isn't a lot that can be installed wrong on them, so I would bet product failure.

Give Koni a call. I'm sure you will be taken care of

vubaru · 06-11-2013, 12:25 AM

Funny thing is I loved these at first then the ride quality started deteriorating...hmm..wonder why!

I bought them off a dealer on this forum so I'll contact him first then take it from there.

These are the stock top mounts, I don't think the top part can be removed, although I'm not an expert at suspension so I'll check it out tomorrow.

simpleisbest · 06-11-2013, 12:36 AM

They look installed correctly. The part where the shock is protruding is the rubber cover that covers the top nut. You can peel that off to reveal the shock adjuster. Looks like shop poked a hole in the cover to allow the adjuster to poke through while protecting the top mount bearing from dirt and dust. Nothing wrong there. Best find out if both fronts are leaking before contacting Koni.

suaveflooder · 06-11-2013, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vubaru

Funny thing is I loved these at first then the ride quality started deteriorating...hmm..wonder why!

I bought them off a dealer on this forum so I'll contact him first then take it from there.

These are the stock top mounts, I don't think the top part can be removed, although I'm not an expert at suspension so I'll check it out tomorrow.

Here you go. Now go take us pics

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vubaru · 06-11-2013, 12:47 AM

Duh...easy enough. My crappy cameraphone doesn't have a flash so I'll take some tomorrow.

Hopefully I won't need new top mounts at least

suaveflooder · 06-11-2013, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vubaru

Duh...easy enough. My crappy cameraphone doesn't have a flash so I'll take some tomorrow.

Hopefully I won't need new top mounts at least

:happy0180:

OrbitalEllipses · 06-11-2013, 01:37 AM

When you get the strut top off, look at the washer at the base of the adjustment blade. One of my struts was leaking from the adjuster out of the box because the o-ring seal beneath wasn't seated. Koni warrantied the strut, but took their sweet fucking time.

06-10-2013, 11:37 PM	#1
vubaru Now with Boost! Join Date: Aug 2012 Drives: 2013 SWP BRZ Ltd. Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 415 Thanks: 281 Thanked 424 Times in 257 Posts Mentioned: 24 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Koni Strut Blown I had my Koni front struts blow on RCE Yellows after about maybe 1k miles. Will check with the shop that did the install to see if they'll warranty it or if Koni will warranty it, but I'm stumped. The Koni's seemed like a great product, and I can't believe they failed. They were at half turn from full stiff and installed by a reputable local shop (Works). Driver's side strut appears to be ok, if you push down on the top-most rubber nib on the top mount, it's completely dry. Passenger side is still leaking fluid. Are you not supposed to use stock top mounts with the Konis? What do you guys think is going on? I haven't touched the struts since the install. Edit: Looks like it's time to warranty. Attached Images Last edited by ichitaka05; 06-12-2013 at 09:35 PM. Reason: Clarity

06-11-2013, 12:03 AM	#7
vubaru Now with Boost! Join Date: Aug 2012 Drives: 2013 SWP BRZ Ltd. Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 415 Thanks: 281 Thanked 424 Times in 257 Posts Mentioned: 24 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	So you think I'm looking at a product failure as opposed to improper install? Obviously I haven't posted photos of the entire assembly but everything appears to my eyes to be installed properly, although I haven't torn things down yet. Good news is the rears appear to be fine. Not only do I need new front struts but top mounts, too! ugh.. Those of you who know me, know the amount of ridiculous crap I've had to deal with in my project, and this is just par for the course. Kind of hilarious when you think about it. Front Struts: 0, My Car: 4. Last edited by vubaru; 06-11-2013 at 12:06 AM. Reason: Front stocks blew on RCE's

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06-10-2013, 11:58 PM	#3
Asphalt~86 Banned Join Date: Oct 2012 Drives: Asphalt AT Location: Midwest Posts: 813 Thanks: 324 Thanked 608 Times in 262 Posts Mentioned: 10 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)

06-11-2013, 12:02 AM	#6
OrbitalEllipses Banned Join Date: Jan 2012 Drives: Attitude Location: MD Posts: 10,046 Thanks: 884 Thanked 4,890 Times in 2,903 Posts Mentioned: 123 Post(s) Tagged: 4 Thread(s)	Koni warranty time!

06-11-2013, 12:25 AM	#9
vubaru Now with Boost! Join Date: Aug 2012 Drives: 2013 SWP BRZ Ltd. Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 415 Thanks: 281 Thanked 424 Times in 257 Posts Mentioned: 24 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Funny thing is I loved these at first then the ride quality started deteriorating...hmm..wonder why! I bought them off a dealer on this forum so I'll contact him first then take it from there. These are the stock top mounts, I don't think the top part can be removed, although I'm not an expert at suspension so I'll check it out tomorrow.

06-11-2013, 12:36 AM	#10
simpleisbest Senior Citizen Join Date: May 2012 Drives: Scion FR-S Location: So. Cal Posts: 571 Thanks: 143 Thanked 187 Times in 122 Posts Mentioned: 11 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	They look installed correctly. The part where the shock is protruding is the rubber cover that covers the top nut. You can peel that off to reveal the shock adjuster. Looks like shop poked a hole in the cover to allow the adjuster to poke through while protecting the top mount bearing from dirt and dust. Nothing wrong there. Best find out if both fronts are leaking before contacting Koni.

06-11-2013, 12:47 AM	#12
vubaru Now with Boost! Join Date: Aug 2012 Drives: 2013 SWP BRZ Ltd. Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 415 Thanks: 281 Thanked 424 Times in 257 Posts Mentioned: 24 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Duh...easy enough. My crappy cameraphone doesn't have a flash so I'll take some tomorrow. Hopefully I won't need new top mounts at least

06-11-2013, 01:37 AM	#14
OrbitalEllipses Banned Join Date: Jan 2012 Drives: Attitude Location: MD Posts: 10,046 Thanks: 884 Thanked 4,890 Times in 2,903 Posts Mentioned: 123 Post(s) Tagged: 4 Thread(s)	When you get the strut top off, look at the washer at the base of the adjustment blade. One of my struts was leaking from the adjuster out of the box because the o-ring seal beneath wasn't seated. Koni warrantied the strut, but took their sweet fucking time.

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