koni shock install problems

[Stoner51]

I installed the koni shocks I have on my 91 lx this weekend, and ran into a few problems. First I had the OEM struts in and did't want to lower the car so I thought I would just upgrade the struts, mistake 1. Mistake 2 was letting the axle come out of joint on both sides in the front. It took me 3.5 hours because I had to remove the axles repack the bearings and reseal.
Then I finally get the struts on and I shit you not it looks at least 2 inches higher in the front. I bottomed out in the back before so I did't want to lower for fear I would bottom out more.
I had to compress the springs more to get the koni's in so I am thinking this increased the spring pressure which made them stiffer and raised the car, or maybe this is the original height and I just forgot how high it was.
My ? when lowering springs say the lower 1.5 inches is that from the first time before I installed the koni's or from right now with them jacked up like a redneck?
I am going to install the rears next weekend Is there anything else I should be concerned with, since I have no CV axles in the rear I think it should go easier.
Thanks
Steve

[Genki]

after awhile of driving, the spring will settle to the proper height.

[fliplyricist1]

do you have koni yellows or koni reds? if you have yellows, then the perch is height adjustable...and if you installed the struts with the circlip ring and perch on the highest notch, then it raises the car...if you leave it in the middle notch then the ride height will stay the same (put it on the lowest notch and it lowers the car about .6 inches).

[Stoner51]

yep I installed them on the highest perch. not really thinking so I guess I will lower it the weekend and install the rears. How do you move the perch adjustment

[fliplyricist1]

yep I installed them on the highest perch. not really thinking so I guess I will lower it the weekend and install the rears. How do you move the perch adjustment

you have to remove the little 'circlip' that the perch sits on...just loosen it with a screwdriver and slide it down to the notch you want.

[Blk EX Coupe]

you have to remove the little 'circlip' that the perch sits on...just loosen it with a screwdriver and slide it down to the notch you want.

it's funny when you think about how that little clip holds everything...

[Stoner51]

Yea I would not have thought to remove that clip and it is really not that big but I guess it does what it is supposed to do. Do you have to put a cover or a boot over the shaft of the shock like the stock ones or just leave it.