FYI, for anyone running these shocks. I just disassembled mine to find out why I was getting zero dampening. I thought the shocks lost their oil, but it turns out that the internal valves had disintegrated. These were made by Chris Alston Chassisworks out of California, and when I contacted their tech department to purchase replacement parts, I was told that they would not sell me the valves to repair my shocks, and that they wanted me to ship my shocks to them so that they could repair them at a cost of $300 plus Aprox $150 shipping.
The actual shock used for Shockwaves are called "Vari-shocks", and IMO anyone contemplating purchasing these should consider going to a better brand, because I feel they are poorly designed, and their customer relations are horrible.
The valves that rendered these shocks (with only 20k on them) unusable, are made from .006 thick steel shimstock and couldn't cost more than a couple bucks each to make. They could have shipped me the parts to repair my shocks for less than $10, but they chose to screw their customer instead.
Ride-Tech which originally sold me these, offered a $200 discount towards a new set of Shockwaves, which now use FOX shocks.
-- Edited by hemi43 on Wednesday 6th of November 2013 07:06:47 PM
Read the reply from Nick on Hotrodders.com sounds like you'll be make making the disc yourself or digging deep into your pocket to let them rebuild them. My old coil spring suspension is looking better.
-- Edited by oldkoot on Thursday 7th of November 2013 09:20:18 AM
-- Edited by oldkoot on Thursday 7th of November 2013 09:22:38 AM
WOW !! That sucks Randy !!
In this day and age, they can't afford to piss off their customers. I have posted this on Hotrodders.com also, and also on their Facebook page. I should get a call soon.
I already drew the valves on CAD, and will be getting them waterjet next week. You're right Don, if I had to do it over again I would go coil-over. Air ride is a PITA !!
Glad to see people taking action on manufactures of shoddy goods.Maybe if more did the same some of these people would think twice about there customer service. Ed
Glad to see people taking action on manufactures of shoddy goods.Maybe if more did the same some of these people would think twice about there customer service. Ed
Thanks Ed, I appreciate that comment.
I'm getting fed up with large companies dictating what the consumer should, or should not do, and the problem will only get worse if we individuals just sit back and let them rule us. My issue with these shocks is just a drop in the ocean, but if I don't keep pressure on them, they win. You don't know me well enough, but I won't let them get the better of me. Stay tuned.
Glad to see people taking action on manufactures of shoddy goods.Maybe if more did the same some of these people would think twice about there customer service. Ed
Amen to that! Seems like it doesn't matter what you buy these days, you get junk. Appliances, tools, replacement car parts...What ever happened to consumer protection?
I wasn't able to find the post any ware on hotrod? I don't think you will find the quality of any of these aftermarket shocks any better, I think Randy's post confirms that. All show no go because they never expect you will drive it. Just had a look at GSXR 750 in the garage and the rear mono shock would fit real nice . Adjustable coil over with variable dampening. hell I got less then 500 into the hole bike . The only reason someone wouldn't want to sell you parts is because they don't want you to take it apart and see how cheaply its made
I wasn't able to find the post any ware on hotrod? I don't think you will find the quality of any of these aftermarket shocks any better, I think Randy's post confirms that. All show no go because they never expect you will drive it. Just had a look at GSXR 750 in the garage and the rear mono shock would fit real nice . Adjustable coil over with variable dampening. hell I got less then 500 into the hole bike . The only reason someone wouldn't want to sell you parts is because they don't want you to take it apart and see how cheaply its made
I dont see him trying to explain why a set of 1200 dollar shocks would fail in less then 12,500 miles . Then have the nerve to say you don't know what your doing . I would of thought that they would use spring steel ( old banding from china ) for a part like that
I have a set of 4 of these(front and rear) in a kit that I bought used. They are still damping fine at this point, but then again they've only got 5000 miles of power touring highway miles on them.
I haven't installed them on any projects yet, but if you're interested in putting together a rebuild kit of new washers and seals, I'd be interested in putting it into inventory for the future when it eventually fails
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"If I could get back all the money I've ever spent on cars...I'd spend it ALL on cars !!!
Well thank you! But that's certainly above and beyond! Why not put a kit together and market it as a DIY rebuild/upgrade kit? There could be thousands of failing shocks out there! I would be willing to pay for the parts and mine aren't even broken.... yet. Imagine how eager folks would be to pay when they're faced with the same $300 + shipping as you were! I could be your 1st customer!
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"If I could get back all the money I've ever spent on cars...I'd spend it ALL on cars !!!
Well thank you! But that's certainly above and beyond! Why not put a kit together and market it as a DIY rebuild/upgrade kit? There could be thousands of failing shocks out there! I would be willing to pay for the parts and mine aren't even broken.... yet. Imagine how eager folks would be to pay when they're faced with the same $300 + shipping as you were! I could be your 1st customer!
It wont cost much to make these valves, and if I make 1, I might as well make a dozen because the cost is the same. For every 1000 shocks that fail, I think you'd be lucky to find 5 owners that would even attempt to rebuild their shocks. The last thing I would do is sell these mainly for liability reasons. I'll keep a set aside for you.
Well thank you! But that's certainly above and beyond! Why not put a kit together and market it as a DIY rebuild/upgrade kit? There could be thousands of failing shocks out there! I would be willing to pay for the parts and mine aren't even broken.... yet. Imagine how eager folks would be to pay when they're faced with the same $300 + shipping as you were! I could be your 1st customer!
It wont cost much to make these valves, and if I make 1, I might as well make a dozen because the cost is the same. For every 1000 shocks that fail, I think you'd be lucky to find 5 owners that would even attempt to rebuild their shocks. The last thing I would do is sell these mainly for liability reasons. I'll keep a set aside for you.
Well thanks for doing that! Much appreciated!!! I'm hoping that I managed to snag a good set of shocks and will never have to use them, but my mind will be at ease knowing a repair kit will be in inventory. If my memory serves me well, I think "Shaggin" on here had issues with the same units way back in 2007 in his '62 Falcon Wagon when we were on the Hot Rod Power Tour. Mike was hoisting the left front way in the air on left turns in the autocross and Hot Rod snapped a pic and printed it in the magazine. I'm pretty sure it was the same non-damping issue - Chime in here Shaggin to correct me if I'm wrong.
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"If I could get back all the money I've ever spent on cars...I'd spend it ALL on cars !!!
I laminated 4 layers of .010 shim stock between some 1/8 plates so that everything would stay together when waterjetting. I dropped it off with my drawing file on Friday, so should be getting them back in a day or so. It's always a feeling of victory when you can repair something after everyone says it can't be fixed.
had similar failure on mine when had wagon..seals failed,lost all oils.Air ride was good as far as wnty(N/C),but car was down/had to pay shipping.Mine failed 2 different times,third time I threw them in trash and installed std bags/shocks.Never use their stuff again.
Always a sense of satisfaction when a manufacturer claims it will be impossible for consumers to fix their own product. Here's the new valves, with plenty of extras.
Great work Dan. I know how proud it is to make something to fix something that is a low dollar item but cannot be replaced by the supplier. I had a broken throttle shaft in my JD lawn tractor and there is no replacement for it and I'm too cheap to buy a carb so I made a new shaft and it has been working for about 5 yrs.
Well I'm sure impressed you are obviously no fool or someone to mess with,I can understand Nicks thinking because 99% of his customers would never take them apart because they are either incapable or incapable but so what if he sent you a set of replacement or updated valves?? he could have said oh by the way we also have a set of updated seals if you want them and send them to you for say 100 bucks I'm sure we all are aware that if they leak or fail you are on your own. That would keep the 1 percenters from all the trouble of sourcing your own parts. Whats next we can't change our own oil?? Good on ya for this.
Well I'm sure impressed you are obviously no fool or someone to mess with,I can understand Nicks thinking because 99% of his customers would never take them apart because they are either incapable or incapable but so what if he sent you a set of replacement or updated valves?? he could have said oh by the way we also have a set of updated seals if you want them and send them to you for say 100 bucks I'm sure we all are aware that if they leak or fail you are on your own. That would keep the 1 percenters from all the trouble of sourcing your own parts. Whats next we can't change our own oil?? Good on ya for this.
Randy
If he had offered those parts for $100, I would have been more than happy to buy them. This way the customer is happy, and the manufacturer is happy because he sold $10 worth of parts for $100.
Dan, those came out awesome! I was kinda skeptic at first, when you mentioned the water jet, due to it's pressure and the material thickness being cut. But then you mentioned the stacking-up 4 pieces plus the clamping mat'l (1/8" ?). Either way I was questioning the water jet's results, on that shim stock. Plus I didn't realize you could get that fine a detail with the jet.
I personally would've went with EDM, as I know you would've got good results...but that Water Jet sure came out great.
-- Edited by Gazoo on Wednesday 27th of November 2013 07:37:26 PM
Hey Dan did you get your shocks back together and have a chance to try them out yet?
Laser would have been another option but you might end up with some heat affected zone around the edges.
Laser would have worked, but there's no one nearby with one. Waterjet is is just too easy for me to get done. I draw a DXF and e-mail it to the waterjet Guy in Oshawa, and couple of days later I have the parts in my hand.
Hmmm...Laser !!! You got me thinking now Mike.. I wonder how much I could pickup a laser head for? The rest would be easy,