Hey guys, I am currently in the process of pullin out some koni adjustable front shocks and springs.. I took the dust cap off and removed the 22mm locknut, compressed the shock and then the springs and removed them. Now... i was planning to remove the koni cartridges from the struts on this vl, I was told that I would need a monster spanner because the nut is like 4cm wide or somethin.. but when i had a look, this same nut on these cartridges is circular with 2 holes in the top of it for some kinda tool. I need to know the following.. * where can i get the tool to remove this wierd nut. * when i put the konis in my bros front struts.. do i fill the strut body with new oil before i do that nut back up.. and if so what is the oil called and what is its purpose ? hopefully someone can shed some light on some front suspension hasstles. Thanks again Ollie

I dont know where you will get the correct tool for the job. They arent real easy to come by. But generally you should be able to get a stilson wrench around the outside of the top ring to tighten it just enough. A stilson wrench is a bit like a plumbing wrench i guess. If not just get something to tap the nut around by prying into the holes, maybe a blunt chisel or big nail or something. The only explanation ive goten about the need for the oil is: "many state inside to use a small amount of oil in the bottom of the leg before inserting the new unit I must be honest I don�t know why and can only speculate to stop internal wear from the insert "walking" in the leg or corrosion they don�t all require it but I do it never the less." And a light machine oil or even a small amount of car oil will do the job fine, just dont go putting to much in. Mick

ol the original vl strut like i said b4 is a wet strut (oil typr) the standard strut takes GMH HN1584 type fluid. the fluid has something to do with its compression and rebound. something to do with its dampening effect , bah to hard to explain. anyway like i told ya , go to a suspensio place get there advice.ps the konis might need readjusting from his car to j's.

rb30 power i think that you will need to use the correct fluid , not just any old oil. it needs to be of a certain viscocity etc and has different wear rates.

Try the blunt chisel or punch.... just take your time. Stilsens are also a go.

But ovl087, arent the Koni's Gas cartridges. They get tightened up with the locknut and the cartridge itself doesnt move at all inside the strut, on ly the shock moves which has it own oil inside the cartridge. So how the hell does the oil effect its operation at all???? That explanation about the oil, wasnt mine either, its what other people have told me, and i agree with them 100%, as i have rebuilt many struts for Vl's. Mick

I wouldn't bother with rebuilding struts.... the cartidges are the way to go. Less muckin around and you know its going to work.

Thats what im talking about, fitting cartridges to the strut legs, they say to put oil in the bottom of the strut leg even with cartridges, but i dont think the oil does much at all because the cartridges sit tight in the strut leg. With the old wet type that the vl's originally come with i agree its for some dampening purpose and the correct type of oil is required, but with cartridges i dont see what difference various oils could possibly make to the function of the shock. Regards Mick

with enclosed cartridges you dont use any oil, in fact your sposed to pour any oil inside the strut, out. can get the strut insert tool from repco, but they are ripping every poor **** off, so why bother

you could probably borrow the correct tool from any suspension place or even a mechanic may have one. if not put a pin punch or something about the same diametre as the holes into one hole and use a long screwdriver or something between the strut rod and punch to undo the nut but DO NOT press on the chrome on the strut rod - place something like a thick peice of rubber between the rod and screwdriver. If you do do it this way be extreemly careful that you dont damage the chrome or the insert will be stuffed. If you dont want to run the risk of stuffing it take ti to a mechanic, he will have them stripped in 5 minutes and if he charges any more than $5 tell him to get f**k'd Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

The konis are inserts and can go straight in, circuit race guys put a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water to aid cooling. I use a big ***k off set of vice grips to undo mine.

I think the idea of having some oil inside the struck is to stop any corrosion....

ATF works well also. The purpose of the oil (or coolant) is that it keeps the strut cool, absorbs the heat, thus less fade.

hey guys and gurls.. thanks for the help.. yeah I couldn't be bothered sourcing a tool so the screwdriver and hammer of whatever I can use to do the least damage will suffice. I to could never understand why the hell u would need to fill the strut body with oil when the cartridge is its own unit.. all the strut does it hold it in place. the cartridge should move exactly the same as the strut shouldnt it..?? ahh i dunno.. i'll see what its like in there.. and my uncles a mechanic so he might be able to give me a brief rundown.. thanks heaps ! Ollie

rb30 power - sorry i wasnt having a go at ya no offense etc intended. i had a feeling the konis are gas ol - ill try and bring the tool over on sat