Date:         Wed, 9 Feb 2005 10:35:43 -0500
Reply-To:     The Bus Depot <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         The Bus Depot <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM>
Subject:      Re: Koni or Bilsteins
In-Reply-To:  <4209B6D3.20620.38702ECD@swright.zuiko.sls.bc.ca>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

> I'm curious why one would want to rebuild if they are 
> lifetime warrantied? Or does Koni rebuild them instead of 
> replacement in a warranty claim? Shock warranties also seem a 
> bit useless anyway... I've never had a shock with a warranty 
> fail in a way that could warrany a replacement - ie: KYB's 
> must be visibly leaking to qualify...


Most shock manufacturers' warranties allow them to replace or rebuild at
their option. (Typically they just replace, but for example if they no
longer make that shock and therefore don't have a replacement to offer, they
may rebuild yours instead if the shock is rebuildable.)  As for the
usefulness of the warranty, you're right. Shock warranties generally only
cover outright failure - i.e. if the shock leaks, blows out, or rusts
through. Needless to say the warranties don't cover ride quality; if you
don't like the way the shocks ride that's not a warranty issue. But they
also don't cover normal wear and tear (i.e. the tendancy of the shock to
become 'softer' as it ages). This is where the Koni's are unique, in that
you can compensate for this normal wear by readjusting them rather than
having to replace them. So if you keep your van a long time, the Koni's may
cost more than a lower-end shock initially, but will save you money in the
long run (not to mention offering better handling from day one).

- Ron Salmon
  The Bus Depot, Inc.
  www.busdepot.com
  (215)  234-VWVW

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