Koni/ Ground Control shocks Read Before Installing!

[KIRIEIW]

I had to make this thread for people who plan to use Koni Adjustable's OR use ground control with the Strut Mount Bearing.

Story starts off yesterday, a Friday Morning 9am beginning to install the GC set up I ordered. Made a call to GC (they should really provide a better set of directions for $1000+ suspension) to double check cutting bump stops and a few other questions.

Now what I made this thread for, Konis use a 22mm nut on top, while Bilsteins (Which I had in the car) are a 19. I'd also like to add that the Bilstein Collar Nut WILL NOT WORK with Konis, LUCKILY my dad had an extra, but you might not have one, especially if your PO replaced the shocks at some point. A Collar Nut is NOT included with Koni's, your supposed to re use your stock OEM.

Now the main problem, 22mm on Konis. At this point, I have my strut taken taken apart, have the GC springs in, Konis with a stock collar nut, I'm about to tighten the bolt for the front strut mount. The 22mm socket doesn't fit :hitler:

Now keep in mind that impacts are a bit bigger, and I used a normal 22mm for reference, the impact was even further off.

photo 2 by kirieiw, on Flickr

photo 3 by kirieiw, on Flickr

I call GC and there telling me they have some special wrench, I don't know what there talking about there's no way your going to get a wrench down in there. Even a "thin walled" socket would be too big. I'm stuck at this point. Call around, and come to find out AFTERMARKET FRONT STRUT MOUNTS WILL FIT the 22mm.
Now before you order the incorrect one, here are 2 brands I know will fit the 22mm socket to tighten your Koni shock:
-Boge:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/SuperCat/0188/BMW_0188_SUSSHK_pg2.htm

-Meyle

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/SuperCat/0188/BMW_0188_SUSSHK_pg2.htm

Here's the pics of the 22mm socket fitting

photo 5 by kirieiw, on Flickr

photo 4 by kirieiw, on Flickr


Now your asking why I'm taking my time to share this with you, I had to pay extra for same day delivery to get my Strut Mount Bearing or my car wouldn't have been on the road this weekend. I guess you could say I could have put the stuff I took out back in again, that was the last resort for me. I had to pay extra $$$ for same day delivery, hopefully this helps you if you bought KONI's or a GC set up.


EDIT: I'd also like to add your Stock Dust cap will no longer fit.

-Kevin

[Andy.B]

From the pictures and description, it looks like you couldn't get a socket in the BMW strut mount to fit the koni shock's nut.

Maybe I misunderstood it, but I don't see what ground control has to do with this issue.

[KIRIEIW]

From the pictures and description, it looks like you couldn't get a socket in the BMW strut mount to fit the koni shock's nut.

Maybe I misunderstood it, but I don't see what ground control has to do with this issue.

Ya exactly this, I just bring them up because the Konis where purchased from GC, and nor them or Koni gave me info this would happen. Hopefully this will save someone in the future.

[IRON-E]

Maybe I misunderstood it, but I don't see what ground control has to do with this issue.

This is exactly what I was thinking, maybe OP should have done a little more reading.

[digger]

most people running GC use aftermarket adjustable top mounts........

i got all the hardware i needed with mine

[KIRIEIW]

Let me make myself more clear, I'm not trying to say bad words about Koni or GC, there quality items. I only made this thread to warn people if there planing on buying this kit:

http://www.ground-control-store.com/products/description.php/II=912/CA=8

or even Konis from another site, that your stock strut mount wont work, so make sure you have aftermarket strut mounts before installation.

Edit: Or just check if a 22mm socket will fit in.

[KIRIEIW]

This is exactly what I was thinking, maybe OP should have done a little more reading.

Dude first sentence on the thread

[jeffnhiscars]

To make things even more convoluted, Boge is an OEM shock mount

[KIRIEIW]

To make things even more convoluted, Boge is an OEM shock mount

Interesting.. Well you can clearly see from the pics that 22mm didn't fit in my top mount. A member on here told me using a Boge top mount would allow a 22mm socket to fit in, I never tried fitment myself. I guess the best thing people can do is try to fit a 22mm socket in your top mount before removing everything to double check you won't get stuck like I did. Best advice I can give.

[Herr Faust Schinken]

Hey just Fyi, I'm putting in Konis in my car and the top nut is a 19mm, i think its varies

[Northern]

OEM gland nut worked fine with konis for me, except for rubbing on springs, which a grinder took care of.

[DRTSRFR]

Stem nut, not the Gland nut.:)

[me_john85]

Do all new aftermarket strut mounts have the wider opening? I am running into the same issue with my 1987. The links are dead so I am just trying to find a part number that will work with my Koni shocks.

[LowR3V'in]

i recently used meyle and ya it has the big hole.
also my konis use a 19mm nut. maybe just go to the hardware store and get a 19mm nut instead of that 22.

[KIRIEIW]

Do all new aftermarket strut mounts have the wider opening? I am running into the same issue with my 1987. The links are dead so I am just trying to find a part number that will work with my Koni shocks.

Like I said, both brands "Boge" and "Meyle" top hats will work just fine. Glad my thread finally helped someone, totally forgot about it. Back when I was just a rookie :D.