Help with Suspension Refresh at 50k miles/10 years

[Sockethead]

That's not a picture from a BMW.... the mounts are wrong

front struts come with a knob for adjustment that you stick on the top of the strut. Some strut bars interfere with access but most will be ok as long as the center of the mount is open

A pic: not a BMW but very similar

[AggieBlake]

Yes, that's exactly what I've got on my Miata. I'm just trying to make sure I find one like that rather than the Koni Sport rear shocks that have to be fully removed to be adjusted. I'm finding the online descriptions on various sights to be a little misleading. They all say "adjustable" because they all are, but they don't clarify whether they are adjustable from the top with a knob like in your picture (and thus don't have to be removed), or require removal to adjust.

[slater]

Yes, that's exactly what I've got on my Miata. I'm just trying to make sure I find one like that rather than the Koni Sport rear shocks that have to be fully removed to be adjusted. I'm finding the online descriptions on various sights to be a little misleading. They all say "adjustable" because they all are, but they don't clarify whether they are adjustable from the top with a knob like in your picture (and thus don't have to be removed), or require removal to adjust.

yep, exactly. all off-the-shelf konis for the rear of the E46 are 'standard' adjustable, not 'externally' adjustable. to get the external adjustment you need to go to ground control or tckline. or... if you're daring... the 80s/90s 911 rears are externally adjustable and the same dimensions as E46 rears.

[Sockethead]

I just installed those Konis a few days ago. You have to remove them to adjust. I can get the numbers off the box tonight if you want...
The RE rear shock mounts are supposed to make it so you can remove the shocks without dismantling the trunk interior but I don't have them so I can't verify...

I know when I was getting my rear shocks dialed in (last time I had the Konis on) I had it down to about a 1/2 hr. to adjust both. If the Res do what they claim then you should be able to cut it to 1/2 that.

[AggieBlake]

Thanks Peter! That's exactly what I was trying to clarify. So the off-the-shelf fronts ARE externally adjustable? That would make sense since they're much harder to remove.

So when I talk to GC or TCK I'm asking for Koni Yellow Sports that are valved just like the off-the-shelf units, but that are externally adjustable - correct?

Interestingly, if I went with the standard adjustable rears and set them in the middle, I could still adjust oversteer/understeer characteristics by dialing in just the fronts at the track - softer to throw more grip to the front, stiffer to throw it to the back. Intriguing...

[AggieBlake]

Thanks sockethead (dude, I don't know to call you ! That's helpful. Just to clarify - the fronts are externally adjustable, right? That would help!

[Sockethead]

Yep they adjust just like the picture I posted above. I'll take some picks of the actual strut tonight when I get home as I'm in the process of installing them right now.

My name is Rob

[AggieBlake]

Thanks Rob! Much appreciated.

Your machine-gunning cat avatar is oddly mesmerizing.

[Sockethead]

Yea I still get a chuckle looking at him.... he's been there for years

[slater]

Thanks Peter! That's exactly what I was trying to clarify. So the off-the-shelf fronts ARE externally adjustable? That would make sense since they're much harder to remove.

So when I talk to GC or TCK I'm asking for Koni Yellow Sports that are valved just like the off-the-shelf units, but that are externally adjustable - correct?

Interestingly, if I went with the standard adjustable rears and set them in the middle, I could still adjust oversteer/understeer characteristics by dialing in just the fronts at the track - softer to throw more grip to the front, stiffer to throw it to the back. Intriguing...

yep, when you talk to GC, ask them for externally-adjustable rears. they'll know what you want. you can get them custom-valved too if you want. and yes, the off-the-shelf front struts are externally adjustable.

you could do the adjustment like you said... however, why not spend another $200 and get the convenience of the knob on the rears? think of how many times you might want to do that at the track.