Rear shock question

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Topic originally created by GregM on November 29, 2010 12:06 PM and viewed 3505 times in the old forum.

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Originally posted by GregM on November 29, 2010 12:06 PM
Hi Guys
Are the rear shocks on a 365GT4 2+2 the same as a C4? The part number seems different so I assume they aren't the same????

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Originally posted by Bill26 on November 30, 2010 8:10 AM
Greg,
Coincidentally, I just fitted a pair of load levellers to my C4 on Monday. They are from my 400 project car and have the same Koni part number (7100-1012) as the original C4 units that failed around 5 years ago. The 365 GT4 2+2 units must be the same (falling between the C4 & 400 model years).
I have been using the Koni adjustable units (from Rutlands) and they have been just fine but I want the adjustable units for the 400.
The originals have a 3/72 date code and the 400's are late 80's (I think), so they must have been replaced at some time (since the 400 is a '77 model).
The ride height and ride quality are as per original C4.
Of course, there is some risk with these as they have been sitting around unused for some time but I if I have any trouble, I will talk very nicely to John Bishop as he appears to be the only person who has successfully reconditioned load levellers.
Regards
WM

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Originally posted by GregM on November 30, 2010 11:08 AM
Thanks Bill I'm getting the suspension sorted before the Lowe rally nest year in Vic. I have a new set of Koni front shocks as well as the load leveller replacments from Koni through Rutlands. Someone is advertising new rear shocks on ebay for a 365GT4 2+2 so wondered whether they were the same Cheers Greg

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Originally posted by rickkaufman on November 30, 2010 3:50 PM
Guys, you can get the units rebuilt by an authorized Koni firm here in California, located at Sears Point Raceway aka Infineon. You can ship them via UPS to them and they will ship 'em back!
http://performanceshock.com/service-...s-and-rebuilds

Performance Shock, Inc
29139 Arnold Drive
Sonoma, CA 95476

Good luck, RICK

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Originally posted by Trachsel on December 1, 2010 12:29 AM
every KONI dealer will accept the shocks for rebuilding them or send them to the main dealer of the country to have them rebuilt. But 365 gt4 2+2 don't have the same typ; the Koni number is different from the c/4 number. The original c/4 number is :
Front 82 - 1750 Rear 82 - 1751
For gt4 2+2 it is something like 8909 and 8904
Jacques

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Originally posted by Ian Levy on December 2, 2010 7:33 AM
Hello
The differences between the load levellers on GTC4,GT$ 2+2 & 365 GT2 +2 is due to the different weight of the cars.
I know the GT4 2+2 is approx 150lbs heavier than a GTC4 but I don't know the weight of the 365 GT2+2. but assume it is heaviest of all.
The front Koni (82T-1824) of the GT4 2+2 settings are Extension 231 lbs compression 66lbs &
GTC4(82T-1750) settings Extension 275 lbs & compression 55lbs.
I am not sure what the numbers mean exactly but assume they are for different weights of vehicle.
If there are different settings for the fronts logic dictates there must be different settings for the rears
Good news that there is an Authorised Koni repairer when Koni themselves won't touch the units.
Has anyone experience of this firm with our levellers/
Regards
Ian L

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Originally posted by JBishop on December 3, 2010 11:45 AM
Ian
I have been to Performance Shocks near San Francisco (Infinion Raceway) to get some units I FIXED re-gassed and tested on their specialised testing unit. They seemed to know what they were doing. However when they fix the levellers themselves they do modify the internals so that new off the shelf seals fit. (My custome replacement seals fit existing internals with no modification.) The main guy is from NZ but don't hold that against him!! I do not know anyone who has had their units fixed by them but they did regas and test units I fixed no probem.
John

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Originally posted by Bill Mihalic on May 2, 2011 9:31 AM
I recently purchased my GTC/4 (last Friday!) and really need to tap your collective wisdom. I knew that one load leveller was completely shot. There was a puddle of oil on the floor below it and the car listed 3" to the side.
From the many posts on this topic, it seems I have three options: 1) Get the unit rebuilt, 2) Find a used unit that is functional, or 3) replace with coil-and-shock from Rutlands.
I called Performance Shock in California, and they said they don't do the re-builds anymore, so it looks like option #1 is out.
Is option #2 viable? Does any member of this registry have ONE good leveller for sale? (I understand it might only be a temporary fix, but I like the idea of keeping the car original).
I guess #3 (Rutlands) is my fallback solution. For those of you who have gone this route, is it a do-it-yourself job, or a trip to the Ferrari dealership, or something in between?
Your recommendations would be much appreciated. Thanks.
Bill

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Originally posted by Ian Levy on May 2, 2011 5:41 PM
Hi Bill
I am just hoping I don't need to do this but if you want to stay original it looks like John Bishop is your man.
If not the coil overs seems the only other option as finding units to re-use is a very remote possibility
Let us know what you decide
Good luck
Ian L

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Originally posted by Mike Meehan on May 2, 2011 9:23 PM
Hi Bill , at the time I did the coil over replacement there did not seem to be a long lasting rebuild option. John B seems to have cured that. The coil over job is very easy a simple bolt on job. They have an adjustment for preload/ ride height. I got mine from Rutlands and they work well. Good luck,Mike

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Originally posted by Bill Mihalic on May 3, 2011 2:58 AM
Thank you Ian and Mike. I really appreciate your guidance. I've sent an e-mail to John to see about a re-build, but will probably go the Rutlands route for a short term fix and still pusue a rebuild for the long term for originality.
Bill

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Originally posted by JBishop on May 3, 2011 5:13 PM
This post is just a heads up.
A few owners have contacted me regarding rebuilding these load levellers. There might be a possibility that I will go to San Francisco Aug/Sept next year. One of the San Fran owners can get me access to a suitable workshop, which means I could rebuild levellers whilst I am in the fair city of San Fran. So the deal would be that people would ship their levellers to San Fran, I fix em and then ship em back. This would only be suitable for USA owners unless Euro owners have some way of getting the levellers to San Fran and back for a reasonable fee. If this happens I will inform people probably say May/June next year. These units were used on Queens, C4s and 365GT4 2+2 cars with some internal variations. (Koni constantly tried to re-design the internals to fix design faults. After about 10 years they gave up and by about 1990 didn't want to know about them. No spares, no nuthin. They just got sick of failed leveller returns.) Anyway if you are thinking about getting your kaput units fixed, this might be an option. If you know people with Queens etc then you could let them know as well
John

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Originally posted by Bill Mihalic on May 17, 2011 11:24 AM
Epilogue: Based on the advice of this forum, I bought the coil-overs from T. Rutlands for my recently-purchased but not-yet-delivered C/4. I had issues with the car transport companies, so I threw the coil-overs, an assortment of tools, a fire extinguisher and a list of Ferrari dealers along the route into a suitcase and took Amtrak to Milwaukee to drive the car back to Detroit. I first stopped at a Ford dealer, where the car owner had arranged for them to change out the bad load leveler with one of the coil-overs. It went smoothly, and only a $75 charge. Then, it was 415 miles to Detroit with only one stop and zero problems. Now the fun of C/4 ownership begins (or already has). Thanks again for all the advice.

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Originally posted by dromer on May 19, 2011 6:57 AM
Congrats Bill.
I have been having suspension problems over this last year. Before that i enjoyed nearly a decade of trouble free driving.
Enjoy,
Dave