Just want to mention that I used a Sawzall to cut the top nut off and when the shock was out I could
see that it really does have the dust boot, I just didn't look close enough before.  All is well on
that side, but I'd still like to know if the rubber donut (bushing) is a standard item that can be
bought somewhere other than the VW dealer.

John

----- Original Message -----
From: "jbclem1" <jbclem1@charter.net>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, October 14, 2005 2:47 PM
Subject: Installing Koni front shocks, which adaptors to use?

> I recently bought Koni front shocks for my 1983 Westphalia from Bus Depot.  I'm having problems
> removing the old shocks (KYB gas adjust) and may have to destroy some of the adaptors in the
> process.  The Koni instruction sheet shows some items that aren't present on my current KYB
shocks,
> so I'd like to ask if someone could tell me exactly which ones I need.
>
> The Koni's came only one extra item, 2 large (one for each shock) white plastic washers that had a
> slot cut across the radius of each one.  The instruction sheet seems to show strut installation,
so
> I'm not sure anything on it is relevant.
>
> My current KYB's each have the upper nut, a large metal washer below the nut, and a large rubber
> donut below the washer.  There are no dust boots or anything else.
>
> Because I'm having trouble getting the upper nut off of one of my KYB's, I may have to cut off the
> large rubber donut to be able to get a vice grip hold on the thread shaft.  Can someone tell me
> where I would go to find a replacement for this rubber donut.  And if I have to grind off the
upper
> nut, I think it's a 10mm 1.0, but could someone confirm this for me.
>
> Dust boots, large rubber donuts...are they necessary and who sells these items?
>
> Thanks in advance for any answers,
>
> John