KONI revolutionized the suspension industry with the invention of the first adjustable hydraulic shock absorber.
Since this, KONI continues to set the benchmark for in suspension technology. KONI innovates, engineers and manufactures market leading performance and adjustable shock absorbers, providing customers with a comfortable, safe and sustainable driving experience in any vehicle, across any terrain.
Known for a proud and successful history in motor sports, KONI has and continues to work with leading teams across rally and racing, including winning Grand Prix World Championships, to solve suspension problems and develop new innovative technologies. KONI also has a long history of working with companies to develop Original Equipment (O.E.) applications which transform vehicle driving quality and experiences.
KONI products are developed using highest quality, durable materials, which exceed the requirements needed for comfort, safety and handling performance. Innovations continue to drive the company forward with the patented mechanical technology, the FSD (Frequency Selective Damping) or KONI ACTIVE, the latest innovation leading all competitors for the ultimate driving experience in comfort and road-holding.
Sport & Tuning
KONI's Sport & Tuning shocks are tailor made for each application. Every shock absorber has been engineered and tested to perform with the characteristics of your specific car.
The legendary adjustable yellow KONI Sport shock provides you a sporty driving experience and exceptional road-holding.
Performance
KONI's for optimal performance. Whether you want the best of both worlds - maximum road handling and comfort- or it's about increasing your classic or modern car.
Offroad
KONI RAID and Heavy Track are specially developed for the on-road and off-road challenges of Light Trucks, 4x4s, and SUVs. Tested and used under the world’s most extreme conditions, these KONI dampers satisfy the highest demands regarding safety, stability and road holding grip.
Hydraulic shock absorbers
All hydraulic shock absorbers work by the principle of converting kinetic energy (movement) into thermic energy (heat). For that purpose, fluid in the shock absorber is forced to flow through restricted outlets and valve systems, thus generating hydraulic resistance.
A telescopic shock absorber (damper) can be compressed and extended; the so called bump stroke and rebound stroke.Telescopic shock absorbers can be subdivided in:
- Bi-tube, or twin-tube dampers, available in hydraulic and gas-hydraulic configuration.
- Mono-tube dampers, also called high pressure gas shocks.
How does a bi-tube shock absorber work?
Bump stroke
When the piston rod is pushed in, oil flows without resistance from below the piston through the orifices and the non-return valve to the enlarged volume above the piston. Simultaneously, a quantity of oil is displaced by the volume of the rod entering the cylinder. This volume of oil is forced to flow through the bottom valve into the reservoir tube (filled with air (1 bar) or nitrogen gas (4-8 bar). The resistance, encountered by the oil on passing through the footvalve, generates the bump damping.
Rebound stroke
When the piston rod is pulled out, the oil above the piston is pressurized and forced to flow through the piston. The resistance, encountered by the oil on passing through the piston, generates the rebound damping. Simultaneously, some oil flows back, without resistance, from the reservoir tube (6) through the footvalve to the lower part of the cylinder to compensate for the volume of the piston rod emerging from the cylinder.
How does a mono-tube shock absorber work?
Bump stroke
Unlike the bi-tube damper, the mono-tube shock has no reservoir tube. Still, a possibility is needed to store the oil that is displaced by the rod when entering the cylinder. This is achieved by making the oil capacity of the cylinder adaptable. Therefore the cylinder is not completely filled with oil; the lower part contains (nitrogen) gas under 20 – 30 bar. Gas and oil are separated by the floating piston (2)
When the piston rod is pushed in, the floating piston is also forced down by the displacement of the piston rod, thus slightly increasing pressure in both gas and oil section. Also, the oil below the piston is forced to flow through the piston. The resistance encountered in this manner generates the bump damping.
Rebound stroke
When the piston rod is pulled out, the oil between piston and guide is forced to flow through the piston. The resistance encountered in this manner generates the rebound damping. At the same time, part of the piston rod will emerge from the cylinder and the free (floating) piston will move upwards.
Do you need help finding suitable KONI shock absorbers or your vehicle is not listed in the configurator? Write us a message using the contact form and we will get in touch with you as soon as possible.
