I recently purchased springs/shocks (Koni Yellows) used from the classifieds on these boards, and I am a little concerned. I did the install yesterday and everything went smoothly (minus threaded front shock nuts – the ones that are welded on the Konis – I had to take it to a shop to get the re-tapped). I drove her a bit yesterday and everything went smoothly. I adjusted the rear to half stiff and the front to a bit less than half. So far so good.

Enter today. I am washing my car and as per usual I pop the hood to clean. Just by chance I stick my finger around the top of the left shock adjustment point, and to my dismay I notice a coat of oil on my fingertip. I think, no way, so I go to the right shock and do the same…same result. A light coat of oil on my finger. Upon further inspection, I can see there is a bit of oil on the top of each shock adjustment point around where it seals on the threaded portion of the shock.

Now my question to you all: Is this light oil seepage from the top of the Koni Yellows normal? I think I already know the answer, but I thought I would run it by you all to see what you think.

Thanks for your help.

 

Since the oil is located in the shock body, which is located way below the adjustment point, the oil is definately not from the shock. Unless of course you drove the car upside down for a long period of time.

 

Isnt the adjusting nut connected to the shock body through the shock piston? If the seal at the adjuster was damaged, couldnt oil leak through the piston up to the adjuster?

 

I suppose you're right. When mine were leaking it was coming from the seal on the shock body. They were repaired under warranty no questions asked.
It is normal to see a light amout of oil on the shaft but I've never seen any seepage on the top adjuster.

 

Keep in mind, and this may not be the case, but, All cylinders are designed to have a small mount of seepage to keep the seal and rod lubed

 

Upside down like when shocks are shipped and carried around for a while ?

Some oil is normal. Keep an eye on them to see if it gets worst. If not, you're fine.

 

Will do. I also plan on calling Koni for answers. Their offices are closed until Jan 2.

 

If the oil runs down and pool's around the main shock nut/shock mount, you will want to contact the seller and ask if he can contact Koni for warranty repair. Koni's warranty is only valid to the original purchaser. I had front set of Koni's go bad with excessive oil leakage from the exact location. Some oil is fine. One additional symptom I had was that one of the adjustment blades would pop up about a 1/8", that's the one that left a puddle of oil in the shock mount. They sent me two new front shocks under warranty.

 

I called Koni, and from the sound of the gentleman on the other end, this leakage has been reported many times before. He said "if the leakage is excessive, they will replace under warranty, however there is close to 100ml of excess oil in the shock, so I shouldn’t be worried unless it begins to affect performance."

I will re-check periodically to see if the leakage gets worse.

Can you please elaborate on Koni's warranty claim procedure? Do they make you send the leaking shock back? How do they go about identifying the shocks/purchaser in the event of a claim?