Does anyone know of a shop in L.A. or So. Cal that rebuilds Ride Tech Shockwave airbag shocks? I sprung a leak on one of my front bags so I pulled it out only to notice the shock is blown. I was looking for a local shop that could do the rebuild instead of sending it back to Jasper Indiana where Ride Tech is located.
Any shop that can rebuild the QA1 shock absorbers should be able to R&R the damper portion of the ***embly; tricky part is if you'd trust them re-***embling the air spring portion correctly. I'd recommend sending it back to Ride Tech. They were pretty quick on the turn-around last time I had to send one in for repair (broke the rod due to an install issue).
Thanks for the advice guys! I am going to call ride Tech right now and start the process of sending it to back to them for repair.
I just called Ride Tech and they told me I was going to have to buy a new pair of bags for the front. They said that the oil from the shock most likely contaminated the bag and that they do not rebuild the old style Shockwaves anymore. Ride Tech has a new shock and bag style. They want $900.00 for a new pair. I have a perfectly good Shockwave that I should just toss in the trash along with the one with a blown seal. I don't think so. They must have an old style Shockwave sitting around in their warehouse or something. I think they are just trying to fleece me for $900.00. Can anyone help me with my problem?
did you check the auction site? I don't know exactly which one you need otherwise I'd go cruise over there for you and post a link.
Not sure how long your Shock Waves have been on the car but you may want to check these two threads. There is a fair amount of negative experience with Shock Waves leaking, needing too much pressure to get to ride height, riding rough etc. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=371038&highlight=shock+waves http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=385181&highlight=shock+waves I am considering a similar bag setup on my Riv. I have a brand new set of 2 year old Shock Waves sitting on the shelf.
Sent in my Shock Waves last week not knowing what to expect after the previous weeks phone calls with RIDE TECH. I called yesterday to see what the ***essment was only to find out that my bags were on the way back to LA. They told me that they rebuilt both shocks and replaced both trunions at no cost to me. I was totally blown away and nearly dropped my cell phone. They also sent me the upgrade chip for the ECU which makes the system dump all at once instead of stages like the older Ride Pro systems have for free as well. Great job guy's. That is what customer service is all about. I was expecting to pay anywhere from $500.00-$1,000.00 for new shocks or bags and ended up walking away paying nothing. AIR RIDE even picked up the shipping cost. I am a RIDE TECH customer for life. Perhaps Energy Suspension should take a lesson or two from these guy's!
I first dealt with Darren. He explained to me about the chip for the ECU dump valve but it was Jeremy that took care of everything else. They both were a plethera of information. It took a few calls to finally get someone who was not trying to sell me new shocks, bags or a complete new system. I guess "Persistance Pays Off".
The guys at Air Ride a good group of guys. They have helped our local car show out several times. They are also not scared to run the **** out of their cars, as nice as they are. I have seen Bret(the owner) take an original '69 Boss 429 Mustang, light the tires, and sling the car sideways around a corner. Those guys are all about "using and abusing" their toys.
Let's just say I'm not a fan of Airride Tech. I was like one of, if not the 1'st guy in the D/FW area doing airride as we now know it, and seen one of their ads and thought I could get in w/buying through them and see about being a dealer for them. Well that went to **** once I spoke to Brett. To this day I still have an issue w/Brett telling me back in 95/96 how wrong it was for me to use double convoluted bags on the rear of anything. Not exaggerating, Brett got like pissed off w/me over the phone, and w/out comming out and just saying it, basicly said I was a hack and had no idea what I was doing, and how anyone w/any experience would never use that type of bag in the rear of anything. Then several years a go I see this http://www.ridetech.com/files_AR/techarticles/58-64IMPALA.pdf . I have no idea what I'm talking Brett???????? Well, hummm...how about that????? Funny thing they're running the wrong size bags for that size of car w/that kinda set up!! Oh well.......Brett knows it all. Been building custom air ride now since 94, and have repaired a few things w/their stuff. Not that impressed to be honest. I'm not just saying this cause he left a bad taste in my mouth, I'm speaking from dealing w/their products, and what I have personally delt with since that time. I also don't claim to know everything myself, as I learn something new everyday, but I do know my way around air ride. As for the shockwaves I've installed a few in the rear, and even have a set on the rear of my conv., (I'm still wincing everytime I think about driving it long distances cause the shockwaves are the ONLY thing that gives me any doubt on that car.) but since it has not been on the road yet I have no comment but..... if something happens I will let you know. As a last parting thought about Airride - for you guys w/the control arms..... keep an eye on them.
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