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    Koni/ Ground Control shocks Read Before Installing!

    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:


    -Meyle


    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
    Last edited by KIRIEIW; 04-10-2016, 10:51 AM.


    1992 M tech 2 Convertible - S50 Swap
    1992 e34 Touring- S50 Swap
    1992 325i-S50 Swap (SOLD)

    1995 e36 M3 Mugello Red - S50 (SOLD)
    1991 325i Convertible Laguna Green (SOLD)
    1987 325i (SOLD);1992 M tech 2 Convertible (SOLD)
    1988 325i Convertible Alpine White (SOLD)
    1991
    Brilliantrot Convertible 80k Miles (SOLD)
    1992 325i Convertible Schwarz (SOLD)
    1992 318i Convertible Project-Finished (SOLD)

    #2
    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.

    Comment


      #3
      Originally posted by Andy.B View Post
      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.
      Last edited by KIRIEIW; 03-16-2019, 08:57 AM.


      1992 M tech 2 Convertible - S50 Swap
      1992 e34 Touring- S50 Swap
      1992 325i-S50 Swap (SOLD)

      1995 e36 M3 Mugello Red - S50 (SOLD)
      1991 325i Convertible Laguna Green (SOLD)
      1987 325i (SOLD);1992 M tech 2 Convertible (SOLD)
      1988 325i Convertible Alpine White (SOLD)
      1991
      Brilliantrot Convertible 80k Miles (SOLD)
      1992 325i Convertible Schwarz (SOLD)
      1992 318i Convertible Project-Finished (SOLD)

      Comment


        #4
        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.
        @IRON-E30 aka Edwin:D

        Comment


          #5
          most people running GC use aftermarket adjustable top mounts........

          i got all the hardware i needed with mine
          89 E30 325is Lachs Silber - currently M20B31, M20B33 in the works, stroked to the hilt...

          new build thread http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=317505

          Comment


            #6
            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:



            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.
            Last edited by KIRIEIW; 10-04-2014, 06:58 PM.


            1992 M tech 2 Convertible - S50 Swap
            1992 e34 Touring- S50 Swap
            1992 325i-S50 Swap (SOLD)

            1995 e36 M3 Mugello Red - S50 (SOLD)
            1991 325i Convertible Laguna Green (SOLD)
            1987 325i (SOLD);1992 M tech 2 Convertible (SOLD)
            1988 325i Convertible Alpine White (SOLD)
            1991
            Brilliantrot Convertible 80k Miles (SOLD)
            1992 325i Convertible Schwarz (SOLD)
            1992 318i Convertible Project-Finished (SOLD)

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by IRON-E View Post
              This is exactly what I was thinking, maybe OP should have done a little more reading.
              Dude first sentence on the thread


              1992 M tech 2 Convertible - S50 Swap
              1992 e34 Touring- S50 Swap
              1992 325i-S50 Swap (SOLD)

              1995 e36 M3 Mugello Red - S50 (SOLD)
              1991 325i Convertible Laguna Green (SOLD)
              1987 325i (SOLD);1992 M tech 2 Convertible (SOLD)
              1988 325i Convertible Alpine White (SOLD)
              1991
              Brilliantrot Convertible 80k Miles (SOLD)
              1992 325i Convertible Schwarz (SOLD)
              1992 318i Convertible Project-Finished (SOLD)

              Comment


                #8
                To make things even more convoluted, Boge is an OEM shock mount
                Seat Shocks....I have passed the baton to John Christy from Ninestitch. Email John or Garrett at ninestitch1@gmail.com

                https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/sho...86#post4944786
                Alice the Time Capsule
                http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=360504
                87 Zinno Cabrio barn find 98k and still smells like a barn. Build thread http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...20#post3455220

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by jeffnhiscars View Post
                  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.


                  1992 M tech 2 Convertible - S50 Swap
                  1992 e34 Touring- S50 Swap
                  1992 325i-S50 Swap (SOLD)

                  1995 e36 M3 Mugello Red - S50 (SOLD)
                  1991 325i Convertible Laguna Green (SOLD)
                  1987 325i (SOLD);1992 M tech 2 Convertible (SOLD)
                  1988 325i Convertible Alpine White (SOLD)
                  1991
                  Brilliantrot Convertible 80k Miles (SOLD)
                  1992 325i Convertible Schwarz (SOLD)
                  1992 318i Convertible Project-Finished (SOLD)

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Hey just Fyi, I'm putting in Konis in my car and the top nut is a 19mm, i think its varies
                    88 325is Five Speed
                    Lachssilber

                    Comment


                      #11
                      OEM gland nut worked fine with konis for me, except for rubbing on springs, which a grinder took care of.
                      Originally posted by priapism
                      My girl don't know shit, but she bakes a mean cupcake.
                      Originally posted by shameson
                      Usually it's best not to know how much money you have into your e30

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Stem nut, not the Gland nut.:)
                        Suspension tips here...
                        http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/album.php?albumid=757

                        sigpic

                        Comment


                          #13
                          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.

                          Comment


                            #14
                            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.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Originally posted by me_john85 View Post
                              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.


                              1992 M tech 2 Convertible - S50 Swap
                              1992 e34 Touring- S50 Swap
                              1992 325i-S50 Swap (SOLD)

                              1995 e36 M3 Mugello Red - S50 (SOLD)
                              1991 325i Convertible Laguna Green (SOLD)
                              1987 325i (SOLD);1992 M tech 2 Convertible (SOLD)
                              1988 325i Convertible Alpine White (SOLD)
                              1991
                              Brilliantrot Convertible 80k Miles (SOLD)
                              1992 325i Convertible Schwarz (SOLD)
                              1992 318i Convertible Project-Finished (SOLD)

                              Comment

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