I bought a set of used Koni Yellows and I have not installed them yet. I was wondering how I could gauge what condition they are in and how much life they have left? The guy I bought them from said that they only have 500 miles on them but I'm not sure I believe that.

Any advice I could get would be great.

Jeremy

 

If they don't have any obvious problems, just put them on. Konis are designed to have OEM durability, they should last 60K+ miles.

 

There's always a danger with used shocks but Konis have proven so reliable that if there aren't any obvious physical scars you are most likely okay. Don't ever buy used shocks unless it's for little money versus new though.

 

That's kinda what I was saying, the bushings look really worn out and the Konis themselves look like they've been through quite a few miles. I don't know what 60K shocks look like but these might qualify. Then again I may be wrong but I know the bushings are definately shot.

There's no way that these things have only seen 500 miles.

 

Yeah I got them for like $280

 

Maybe he ran them in the Baja 500?

 

the shock body takes a beating sometimes. mine are pretty scratched up but the shock works well.

when shocks blow they tend to leak oil out of the shock piston area. i don't know if this will work, but stand them upside down for a few hours and see if you notice any oil leaking out.

 

I bough some used konis also and had the same question, but one of the rear shock on my set was broken so i got a new set. I can tell you that for the rear the shaft should go almost all the way up by it self if is not blown or too worn out. The front i am not too sure about how to test them . My front strut would not return all the way to the top of it's travel by them self, but i been driving on them for at least 6k and them seem to be okay (example no leak, no bottom out and pretty stabile.) Well hope this helps.