Shocked by shocks...
 

Here is my other part of survey. I tried to contact all main manufacturers of shocks (Koni, Sachs, Eibach). No way to get any for SVX. So I have checked my dealer for original Subaru parts. They quote me 1400EUR for all 4!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I immedietly checked www.subaruparts.com where set of four costs 400USD. Damn, it looks like boys from Subaru Europe forgot about global economy and want my hard earned money. :-)

Here is my email communication with Koni for those more interested in this search...
Peter

Dear Sir,

Our distributor gave the correct information. We are not able to sell a KONI alternative in the after market. Your are correct, the damper numbers you have written to us are indeed for a SVX version but have been produced for a specific (US) customer. It is for us not allowed to sell them ourselves, we have further also no stock.

The only advise we can give is to search on the internet in the hoop your be able to buy through this network.

Unfortunately the name of the "our" end customer is unknown for us. KONI America have all contacts in this case.

Best regards,


KONI BV

Marco Kemperman

See our site at http://WWW.KONI.COM
See all our distributor addresses at
http://217.160.44.27/koninl/homemenu...trysearch.html

-----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
Van: Petr Ritz [mailto:pritz@volny.cz]
Verzonden: maandag 19 januari 2004 19:34
Aan: Kemperman, Marco - Koni
Onderwerp: Shock absorbers for Subaru SVX MY 1995
Urgentie: Hoog


Hallo, I need to replace my Subaru original shocks and found out that
you produce ones for my car.
It should be these part numbers and as I know it is sold by kit of all
four: 8610-1291 Sport - front 86-2521 Sport - rear I contacted local
(Czech Republic) Koni distributor and they told me that Koni does not
produce any shocks for Subaru SVX. I know it is not true. Thanx for your
info and help. Peter

Peter Ritz

Here is the link to the US distributor
 

http://www.classicgarage.com/classic...svx19fron.html

Contact them as they have them available. This company contracted with Koni to produce these and be the sole distributor for this batch. $640 USD plus shipping.

Good luck,
Todd

I know them, also Dayle from Motorsport has them but you know, transport costs from states to Europe is quite high for such a heavy stuff. I am now in negociation with Subaru Germany to lower their price:-)
Do you have them installed?
Peter

not yet.

Is shipping that expensive to the Czech Republic?

Todd (also Czechoslovakian, just a couple of generations ago!)

Nice to hear it Todd:-)
Yes it is quite expensive, lets say min. 200USD. I will check them to quote me a price for transport but I think the Subaru originals will do the same work for 250 USD less.
Peter

Hi!
Whats wrong with your shocks?
If they just lack oil, you can fix them!

Now probably many ppl disagree, but you CAN refill the shocks!
(If the sealings are somewhat ok)

I have "fixed" many of my Subaru air-shocks in this way, here they cost around 500 Euro each!! .:eek:

I just drill a hole and empy the "dishwater" from them, and replace with a high grade "shock" oil.
Then thread the hole and put in a screw with sealant (or weld it! sometimes the best)

But you must do it on both left and right side, because they usually get much harder than the old setup

The svx struts are a bit different from that of other subarus. I'm not sure if that would have any affect on this process. The SVX's struts are made by Showa Suspension, where the other subaru struts are made by KYB.

Mike

Price for all 4 at www.subaruparts.com for 400USD is quite good. I have on my car 190k KM and tahy never been replaced, it is quite noticable during ride :-(
Peter

One thing to remember when filling shocks, some shocks are preloaded with nitrogen gas, if the shock still has pressure you have to be careful when drilling the hole or you probably will be soaked with oil :p

The loss of the pressure in the shock does NOT affect it's damping capability in normal tempratures, it only affects the foaming in the shock in high tempratures.

But the pressure also gives a little "help" to the spring and when you remove this pressure, the car has teorethically somewhat "weaker" spring, but this is compensated by the far better damping capability in the rebuilded shock. :D

As I know every shock has a similar system with inner/outer tube and a piston with holes/valves, so this method could be used on the majority of shocks (as a "economy" method ;) ).