It is my understanding that adjustable Konis...you can only adjust the Rebound, not the compression rate.

If you are feeling "harsh"...it's more likely the tires. If the shocks you got are the proper ones valved for the application to your vanagon...ride quality will be more influenced by air pressure in the tires and the actual over all stiffness of those tires...

"Jacking down"...over bumpy roads does occur. That is when the rebound rate on a shock is too "high" and the wheel doesn't fully extend again after every bump because the shock dampens that movement. In extreme cases, you can drive a washboard road and end up with the shock fully compressed...the suspension binding because the wheels will not be able to regain their normal extension before the next bump hits...and the suspension "jacks itself down"

Koni does make fully adjustable shocks...rebound and compression adjustable, but they are more expensive than the sport shocks. I would error on the side of too soft for the initial setting on new shocks. If you feel the van 'nose dive' under braking or find sway or the front end lifts when you tromp on your Subie motor, you may have too little rebound dialed in and need to go firmer with the settings. The terms used around adjustable shocks are very imprecise...

Don Hanson

On Tue, Jan 4, 2011 at 2:05 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans < scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:

> the way koni's are traditionally adjust is to compress the shock fully by > hand.. > then rotate the top part relative to the bottom part. > > been forever ..it's something like 8 clicks from soft to full firm , stick > vaguely in my mind. > > it would be hard to do the adjsutment with the shock inside the spring .. > it's basically unbolt the top, remove the big bolt on the bottom , withdraw > the shock out the bottom, do the adjustment change ..reinstall. > As little as 20 minutes per side.. > > even if the shocks are very firm, there shouldn't be any noise in the > susension ... > if there is, something is worn or loose somewhere. . > > Scott > www.turbovans.com > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Greg Potts" <greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA> > To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> > Sent: Tuesday, January 04, 2011 9:48 AM > Subject: Koni Shock adjustment? > > > Hi Volks, >> >> Back before the holidays I bought a pair of Koni adjustable front shocks >> from BusDepot and had them installed by a local alignment specialist. >> The shocks weren't actually my top priority, but I suspected they needed >> doing as there was some cupping in the tire tread pattern. Then I >> noticed the inside tread was wearing down, and figured that something >> bad was happening there. I had the alignment shop check it out; they >> ended up replacing a ball joint and a tie rod end. I figured if I was >> going to replace the front tires, I had better replace the shocks first, >> so I ordered them from BD and asked the alignment shop to install them >> while they were doing their thing. >> >> When I left them the Koni's I included a note asking set up for a >> slightly firm ride. When i got it back the ride was a lot harsher than I >> expected. Not quite a boneshaker, but it's loud, and when the tires are >> cold they don't absorb much of the impact, either. >> >> Is it a big deal to adjust these? The shop that did the work would >> probably be open to making the adjustment for me but getting the vanagon >> to them during business hours and arranging for something else to drive >> while they had it would be a problem right now. If it's not a big job >> then I wouldn't mind doing it once we get a break in the weather. >> >> Happy Trails, >> >> Greg Potts >> Toronto, Ontario Canada >> 197x Westfakia "Bob the Tomato" >> 1987 Wolfsburg Weekender Hardtop (ND Graphics graphics wrap) >> 1988 Wolfsburg Weekender Hardtop (Colleen's ride) >> www.pottsfamily.ca >> >> BUSES OF THE CORN - AUGUST 12-14th, 2011 >> www.busesofthecorn.ca >> >