One of my Konis exploded

zach · 07-20-2009, 10:54 AM

Well, it didn't visibly explode, but there is what I'm assuming is shock oil all over the right front wheel well and on the back of the wheel. It's on the visible portion of the shock as well. The car now makes REALLY loud banging noises over bumps. It's so bad that my initial though was that the shock had come through the shock tower.

Anyway, it'll get looked at this week.

Quote from my mechanic:

"Koni’s have a lifetime warranty to the original purchaser. Since you were the purchaser, I think I can warranty it out to you as long as it was assembled correctly." (emphasis mine)

FC · 07-20-2009, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zcasavant

Well, it didn't visibly explode, but there is what I'm assuming is shock oil all over the right front wheel well and on the back of the wheel. It's on the visible portion of the shock as well. The car now makes REALLY loud banging noises over bumps. It's so bad that my initial though was that the shock had come through the shock tower.

Anyway, it'll get looked at this week.

Quote from my mechanic:

"Koni’s have a lifetime warranty to the original purchaser. Since you were the purchaser, I think I can warranty it out to you as long as it was assembled correctly." (emphasis mine)

Yikes. Good luck.

*clyde* · 07-20-2009, 11:20 AM

Konis tend to weep a little bit which is no big deal. Occasionally, they blow like yours seems to have done.

If your guy gives you any grief, let me know and I'll give you a name at Koni to contact.

zach · 07-20-2009, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clyde

Konis tend to weep a little bit which is no big deal. Occasionally, they blow like yours seems to have done.

If your guy gives you any grief, let me know and I'll give you a name at Koni to contact.

Thanks. Hopefully it won't come to that.

rumatt · 07-20-2009, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zcasavant

I think I can warranty it out to you as long as it was assembled correctly." (emphasis mine)

Was it front or rear?

zach · 07-20-2009, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rumatt

Was it front or rear?

Right front

rumatt · 07-20-2009, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zcasavant

Right front

Find the person who helped assemble them and make them pay.

Terri Kennedy · 07-20-2009, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clyde

If your guy gives you any grief, let me know and I'll give you a name at Koni to contact.

Every single Koni that has failed on an Atom (there have been a number - most just completely seize up, while others leaked) has had the warranty denied by Koni as the car owner wasn't the "original purchaser". They're claiming that all warranty claims must be made by the vehicle manufacturer (Brammo, who no longer has any involvement with Atoms). This has caused very bad feelings toward Koni from a segment of the Atom community.

Atoms are now built with Bilsteins. There's also a Nitron aftermarket kit for the Atom.

zach · 07-20-2009, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terry Kennedy

Every single Koni that has failed on an Atom (there have been a number - most just completely seize up, while others leaked) has had the warranty denied by Koni as the car owner wasn't the "original purchaser". They're claiming that all warranty claims must be made by the vehicle manufacturer (Brammo, who no longer has any involvement with Atoms). This has caused very bad feelings toward Koni from a segment of the Atom community.

Atoms are now built with Bilsteins. There's also a Nitron aftermarket kit for the Atom.

That sucks ass. Way to piss off enthusiasts.

I don't think they will be able to argue that I'm anything other than the original purchaser. That said, it might take hours (or days or weeks) to find the receipt if that's what I need...

John V · 07-21-2009, 08:14 AM

I used to really like Koni. I've gotten increasingly annoyed with them over the past year.

When they work, they work well. When they don't, it's a big pain.

07-20-2009, 10:54 AM	#1
zach swinging for the fences Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: 987, X7 M60i, e36 M3 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 5,035	One of my Konis exploded Well, it didn't visibly explode, but there is what I'm assuming is shock oil all over the right front wheel well and on the back of the wheel. It's on the visible portion of the shock as well. The car now makes REALLY loud banging noises over bumps. It's so bad that my initial though was that the shock had come through the shock tower. Anyway, it'll get looked at this week. Quote from my mechanic: "Koni’s have a lifetime warranty to the original purchaser. Since you were the purchaser, I think I can warranty it out to you as long as it was assembled correctly." (emphasis mine)

07-20-2009, 11:20 AM	#3
clyde Chief title editor Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 26,599	Konis tend to weep a little bit which is no big deal. Occasionally, they blow like yours seems to have done. If your guy gives you any grief, let me know and I'll give you a name at Koni to contact. __________________ OH NOES!!!!!1 MY CAR HAS T3H UND3R5T33R5555!!!!!!1oneone!!!!11 Team WTF?! What are you gonna do?

07-21-2009, 08:14 AM	#10
John V No more BMWs Join Date: Apr 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8 Location: Glenwood, MD Posts: 14,753	I used to really like Koni. I've gotten increasingly annoyed with them over the past year. When they work, they work well. When they don't, it's a big pain.