FWIW, I have had one of the Koni's fail. I put them on my van (90 Westy
automatic), leaving them at the stock setting which is midway between hard
and soft. That gave me a fairly hard ride, but I have Hankook tires on, so
that adds to the hard ride.

Anyway, the one Koni that failed (drivers front)  happened the day I put it
on.  By the time I drove home from the shop, something felt wrong. Upon
inspection, I found the the top of the piston rod where the point on the
piston shaft where the threads meet the solid part of the shaft had broken.

I called Koni and they crossed-shipped one out to me right away. No
problems with the other 3 or the replacement ever since.

I spoke to one of the Koni techs a few weeks later and he said on of the
internal components had seized, locking the shaft in place. Then, driving
put a lot of stress on the shock, sometimes jerking on the shock until the
shaft broke.

Anyway, I've had them on for about 3 years and still very pleased. I just,
this week, am having them be adjusted for a softer setting (which I should
have done a long time ago).

Gregg
90 Westy (Blueberry)

On Friday, May 30, 2014, SDF ( aka ;jim lahey' - Scott ) <
scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:

> I totally agree that KYB's can be harsh ..
> and generally, I find HD Bilsteins to be nigh perfect,
> although ..
> on a vanagon they did not seem 'magic' like on my Mercedes sedan or
> turbo 740 volvo,
> until I went from 14 to 15 inch wheels and tires.
>
> the only other one I would suggest 'above' HD Bilsteins is Koni's ..from
> Van Cafe.
> They are also adjustable for compression/rebound stiffness or with age
> and wear.
>
> Scott
> \
> On 5/28/2014 11:26 PM, Todd Last wrote:
>
>> Interesting. I have the HD Bilstein shocks and never thought they were
>> harsh at all.
>> Particularly compared to KYBs. But then I am driving a Westy which is
>> heavier.
>>
>> Todd
>> '88 Westy
>>
>> On 5/28/2014 5:08 AM, kenneth wilford (Van-Again) wrote:
>>
>>> The rear axle should be there today for you.  Shock depend on what
>>> kind of
>>> ride you like.  The stock shocks were oil/air and really didn't have
>>> a lot
>>> of resistance.  This results in a soft ride which, if you have
>>> reinforced
>>> tires, I actually like.  I really don't like the KYB shocks on the
>>> Vanagon.
>>>   I have installed them for customers over the years and rode in many
>>> vans
>>> with them installed and I think they just aren't that great. People used
>>> to buy them because they were cheap and gas charged but the price keeps
>>> going up and up.  If it were me I would invest in a set of Bilsteins.
>>>   There are actually two different versions of this for the van.  If you
>>> like a softer ride there are the Bilstein Street shocks (black).  Or
>>> if you
>>> must have a super firm ride so that you can drive over some change
>>> and know
>>> how much it is by the bumps you feel, the Bilstein HD (Yellow). If it
>>> were
>>> me I would go with the Steet version as these are a bit cheaper but also
>>> give a firm but softer ride.  The HD are Heavy Duty and they are super
>>> stiff.  If you have kids riding in the back with motion sickness
>>> issues, I
>>> would steer clear of these.
>>>
>>> Hope this helps,
>>>
>>> Ken Wilford
>>> John 3:16
>>> www.vanagain.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Wed, May 28, 2014 at 1:23 AM, Geneva Saint-Amour <
>>> genevasaintamour@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> Four weeks ago we installed new springs.  Then new brakes, wheel
>>>> cylinders
>>>> and drums. This past weekend we broke an axle and will be replacing
>>>> it next
>>>> Saturday (if the stars align for speedy shipping). So, we may as
>>>> well do
>>>> the shocks while we are in there.
>>>> Which shocks do you suggest for a 1984 Vanagon Westfalia with a high
>>>> top?
>>>> Anything else we should do while in this department?
>>>>
>>>> Sent from my electronic leash!
>>>> Geneva Saint-Amour
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Thanks,
>>> Ken Wilford
>>> John 3:16
>>> www.vanagain.com
>>>
>>>
>>