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3D printed adjuster tool for rear Koni shocks

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    3D printed adjuster tool for rear Koni shocks

    Thought I would share this one.

    I have TCK DA Koni's on my car, and the top adjuster on the rear shocks is tough to access without very large holes in the trunk liners. Not wanting to make very large holes, I have been looking for a solution and found this.

    I don't have a 3d printer, but it looks like there are services that could handle it for me. Would someone with 3d printing experience care to suggest the best material to use to print this?
    Old, not obsolete.

    #2
    I also like that orange one with the ponter on it. Those do not have a great adjustment system, no clicks (at least on my SA's) and these huge cheezy plastic knobs.

    I would like to figure out a way to put extenders on the rears but there is no good way to secure them.
    2004 Silbergrau Metallic 6MT
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      #3
      Years ago, I ran my rear KW shocks upside down for easier access. This was fairly common and seemed to present no downsides.

      Edit: I just realized I was thinking about the ride height adjuster on the springs, KW has the adjuster up top, moved it to the bottom. Dumb. Too long ago.
      Last edited by oceansize; 03-26-2026, 05:11 AM.
      2003 | 3.91 | CMP Subframe & RTAB Bushings | SMG (Relocated & Rebuilt) | ESS Gen 3 Supercharger | Redish | Beisan | GC Coilovers & ARCAs | Imola Interior | RE Rasp | RE Diablo | Storm Motorwerks Paddles | Will ZCPM3 Shift Knob | Apex ARC-8 19x9, 19x9.5 | Sony XAV-AX5000 | BAVSOUND | CSL & 255 SMG Upgrades | Tiag | Vert w/Hardtop

      2005 | Slick top | Manual | Mystic | Stripper | ZCP Brakes

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        #4
        Originally posted by D-O View Post
        Thought I would share this one.

        I have TCK DA Koni's on my car, and the top adjuster on the rear shocks is tough to access without very large holes in the trunk liners. Not wanting to make very large holes, I have been looking for a solution and found this.

        I don't have a 3d printer, but it looks like there are services that could handle it for me. Would someone with 3d printing experience care to suggest the best material to use to print this?
        That's low stress enough that any material should be fine. I'd probably use PETG and print it solid. Or, maybe ASA in case you leave it in the sun at the track.

        Are there no threads at the top of the shock (above the RSM) that could be used to secure an adjustment mechanism that went up? Maybe swap a low profile nut in place of the included on, and then add a second that is part a mounting system for an adjustment tower?

        If I still had Konis, I'd be tempted to play with this, just for the fun of the project, now that I have a printer.

        2005 IR/IR M3 Coupe
        2012 LMB/Black 128i
        100 Series Land Cruiser

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          #5
          Originally posted by D-O View Post
          Thought I would share this one.

          I have TCK DA Koni's on my car, and the top adjuster on the rear shocks is tough to access without very large holes in the trunk liners. Not wanting to make very large holes, I have been looking for a solution and found this.

          I don't have a 3d printer, but it looks like there are services that could handle it for me. Would someone with 3d printing experience care to suggest the best material to use to print this?
          Great solution! The knobs that come with the Koni's are ridiculous. Unfortunately, I find this now that I'm about to switch to something different.

          Whoever designed this...9mm wrench? Why? 10mm for crying out loud! Lol

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by bigjae46 View Post

            Great solution! The knobs that come with the Koni's are ridiculous. Unfortunately, I find this now that I'm about to switch to something different.

            Whoever designed this...9mm wrench? Why? 10mm for crying out loud! Lol
            So you can permanently glue the insert into a wrench and not feel bad for sacrificing it.

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              #7
              Originally posted by jayjaya29 View Post

              So you can permanently glue the insert into a wrench and not feel bad for sacrificing it.
              I have a couple of 10mm wrenches...only one 9mm. I just say that for no other reason to argue...lol...valid point.

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                #8
                Originally posted by jayjaya29 View Post

                So you can permanently glue the insert into a wrench and not feel bad for sacrificing it.
                Yup. Somewhere on the printables page the designer noted that he had a 9mm that he never used for anything.
                Old, not obsolete.

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                  #9
                  Originally posted by Obioban View Post

                  That's low stress enough that any material should be fine. I'd probably use PETG and print it solid. Or, maybe ASA in case you leave it in the sun at the track.

                  Are there no threads at the top of the shock (above the RSM) that could be used to secure an adjustment mechanism that went up? Maybe swap a low profile nut in place of the included on, and then add a second that is part a mounting system for an adjustment tower?

                  If I still had Konis, I'd be tempted to play with this, just for the fun of the project, now that I have a printer.
                  Thanks for the materials advice.

                  Old, not obsolete.

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                    #10
                    ASA would be my choice but given the use case almost anything would work. Im local and can print them if you want. No idea how cheap or expensive these are from a vendor and what your time is worth to drive and grab them. It's like $2-3 in raw material.
                    Last edited by discoelk; 03-25-2026, 09:38 AM.
                    2003.5 SG/Grey
                    https://www.talcottmfg.com/blog

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                      #11
                      Back when I was on Konis, I used a nut driver (I'm pretty sure it was 1/4"). That adjustment tab will fit perfectly in the corners of the hexagon.
                      However if you're looking for a project, I completely understand.
                      I would start with basic PLA, which is actually quite rigid. But if you're looking for a reason to get a more exotic material, I understand that too.

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                        #12
                        Agreed with others that basically any material would work for this. Although I'd be inclined to modify the design so that the two halfs snap/screw together (instead of having to glue them) so that they're easier to replace if they ever do break.
                        2002 Topasblau M3 - Coupe - 6MT - Karbonius CSL Airbox - MSS54HP Conversion - SSV1 - HJS - Mullet Tune - MK60 Swap - ZCP Rack - Nogaros - AutoSolutions - 996 Brembos - Slon - CMP - VinceBar - Koni - Eibach - BlueBus - Journal

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                          #13
                          Originally posted by discoelk View Post
                          ASA would be my choice but given the use case almost anything would work. Im local and can print them if you want. No idea how cheap or expensive these are from a vendor and what your time is worth to drive and grab them. It's like $2-3 in raw material.
                          Thanks for the offer Disco. Jay has already printed some up and I will grab them from him.

                          This is going to be so much better than trying not to drop the Koni adjusters behind the trunk liners.
                          Old, not obsolete.

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                            #14
                            Forgive my ignorance, but how does this tool help in regards to cutting smaller holes for access?

                            If the idea is to cut horizontal slots in the carpet for wrench access I think that might still look bad imo.

                            To me the upside would be using a ratcheting wrench one could have physical "clicks" to more accurately adjust.

                            Not knocking the creation, just trying to understand the upside, sometimes, admittedly I can miss simple stuff.
                            2004 Silbergrau Metallic 6MT
                            Karbonius/OEM Snorkel/Flap/HTE Tuned
                            Ssv1/Catted Sec. 1/SS 2.5" Sec. 2/SCZA

                            OE CSL Bootlid/AS SSK/TCK Vorshlag/4.10 Gears/ Sportline 8S Wheels/Cobra Nogaros
                            RACP Plates/Vincebar/CMP/Turner RTAB/Beisan

                            2006 M6 Black Saphire SMG
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