followup - Stewart Development revalved shocks (re: Bernie strikes again)
09-06-2013, 02:52 AM
#1
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 25
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followup - Stewart Development revalved shocks (re: Bernie strikes again)
I was one of the many that sent in shocks and a good chunk of money in 2011 to get them revalved by Bernie based on fantastic reviews from previous clients.
Since I needed them for a BMW e30, I checked with Bernie first to make sure the work could be done. He said no problem, so I sent him my blown shocks, my spring rate and shortening specs and with a lot of help from John @ Weekend Racer it took ONLY A YEAR to get them back! I consider myself fortunate since I did get them back! When I opened the box saw 4 shocks inside I was very happy to have them in hand, but unfortunately I sold the BMW before I got a chance to install them.
Now another year has passed, I have another e30 and decided to try the shocks and see how they ride. Since I requested the shock to be shortened 1.5" I decided to test fit them into the stock strut housing and take some measurements before I shorten the housing and weld on a Ground Control coilover spring perch.
This is when I noticed the shock was almost the same length as the outside of the strut housing, which is odd because I asked Bernie to shorten the shock body and reiterated this to John when he confirmed my order.
Inserted the shock into the strut and guess what? The body wasn't shortened at all. Nice to know that I paid $200.00 for services that wasn't done, but as others who were lucky enough to get their shocks with issues have said... there is no way I'd send them back to him to fix the problem as I might never see them again.
I know the shocks have been revalved since the shocks I sent him were blown, but now I get to wonder if they were revalved to my specified spring rates or if he just rushed them to get me something and John off his back.
So the reason for this post? I wanted to provide a followup and give people who are considering trying his services more information to make an informed decision.
In my opinion don't even bother considering his services as he isn't worth the risk/hassle/headache regardless of how magical the end result of his work may be.
Since I needed them for a BMW e30, I checked with Bernie first to make sure the work could be done. He said no problem, so I sent him my blown shocks, my spring rate and shortening specs and with a lot of help from John @ Weekend Racer it took ONLY A YEAR to get them back! I consider myself fortunate since I did get them back! When I opened the box saw 4 shocks inside I was very happy to have them in hand, but unfortunately I sold the BMW before I got a chance to install them.
Now another year has passed, I have another e30 and decided to try the shocks and see how they ride. Since I requested the shock to be shortened 1.5" I decided to test fit them into the stock strut housing and take some measurements before I shorten the housing and weld on a Ground Control coilover spring perch.
This is when I noticed the shock was almost the same length as the outside of the strut housing, which is odd because I asked Bernie to shorten the shock body and reiterated this to John when he confirmed my order.
Inserted the shock into the strut and guess what? The body wasn't shortened at all. Nice to know that I paid $200.00 for services that wasn't done, but as others who were lucky enough to get their shocks with issues have said... there is no way I'd send them back to him to fix the problem as I might never see them again.
I know the shocks have been revalved since the shocks I sent him were blown, but now I get to wonder if they were revalved to my specified spring rates or if he just rushed them to get me something and John off his back.
So the reason for this post? I wanted to provide a followup and give people who are considering trying his services more information to make an informed decision.
In my opinion don't even bother considering his services as he isn't worth the risk/hassle/headache regardless of how magical the end result of his work may be.
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09-08-2013, 11:57 PM
#11
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Gulf Coast, MS
Posts: 108
Total Cats: 3
Sent in my R-packaged shocks in July 2012. Didn't receive them till January of next year. I end up paying more than I should have, but I at least have my shocks back.
Compared to my stock setup and a friends FM Vmax, they are very nice. Ride is plush but firm at the same time (12f/12.5r). Very daily-able.
However, would I recommend him?... Frock no.
Also, a bird told me he's out of the miata business.
Compared to my stock setup and a friends FM Vmax, they are very nice. Ride is plush but firm at the same time (12f/12.5r). Very daily-able.
However, would I recommend him?... Frock no.
Also, a bird told me he's out of the miata business.
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09-09-2013, 12:41 PM
#12
Now imagine being dumb enought to send a set back to him to fix, him screwing you and blaming you for it and then charging you another $400+ to get them back!!! I am still not happy and have paid over $1200 for shocks that kill my back.
I even tried to email him earlier this year just to get an idea what he actually did to my shocks and got the same crappy attitude.
The worst part is that I could never get him to tell me what he actually did, he would get pissed each time I asked. For all I know he just looked at them and charged me to send them right back (after keeping them hostage).
The best part is I am broke as a joke now (just had our first kid) and it will be years before I can afford real suspension. I have even debated going back to ricelands since the ride was much more comfortable with them (don't have money for track days eiter so who needs real performance).
I even tried to see if Fatcat could do anything to re-valve them to something that works for me, but obviously they won't touch it. I didn't even get a reply email.
Sorry, I thought I was over it (happened back in spring of 2011), but this thread just made it clear that I still would like to have a very colorful conversation with this low life! It still amazes me that he can still be in business after all this crap.
I even tried to email him earlier this year just to get an idea what he actually did to my shocks and got the same crappy attitude.
The worst part is that I could never get him to tell me what he actually did, he would get pissed each time I asked. For all I know he just looked at them and charged me to send them right back (after keeping them hostage).
The best part is I am broke as a joke now (just had our first kid) and it will be years before I can afford real suspension. I have even debated going back to ricelands since the ride was much more comfortable with them (don't have money for track days eiter so who needs real performance).
I even tried to see if Fatcat could do anything to re-valve them to something that works for me, but obviously they won't touch it. I didn't even get a reply email.
Sorry, I thought I was over it (happened back in spring of 2011), but this thread just made it clear that I still would like to have a very colorful conversation with this low life! It still amazes me that he can still be in business after all this crap.
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09-09-2013, 11:35 PM
#14
Now imagine being dumb enought to send a set back to him to fix, him screwing you and blaming you for it and then charging you another $400+ to get them back!!! I am still not happy and have paid over $1200 for shocks that kill my back.
I even tried to email him earlier this year just to get an idea what he actually did to my shocks and got the same crappy attitude.
The worst part is that I could never get him to tell me what he actually did, he would get pissed each time I asked. For all I know he just looked at them and charged me to send them right back (after keeping them hostage).
The best part is I am broke as a joke now (just had our first kid) and it will be years before I can afford real suspension. I have even debated going back to ricelands since the ride was much more comfortable with them (don't have money for track days eiter so who needs real performance).
I even tried to see if Fatcat could do anything to re-valve them to something that works for me, but obviously they won't touch it. I didn't even get a reply email.
Sorry, I thought I was over it (happened back in spring of 2011), but this thread just made it clear that I still would like to have a very colorful conversation with this low life! It still amazes me that he can still be in business after all this crap.
I even tried to email him earlier this year just to get an idea what he actually did to my shocks and got the same crappy attitude.
The worst part is that I could never get him to tell me what he actually did, he would get pissed each time I asked. For all I know he just looked at them and charged me to send them right back (after keeping them hostage).
The best part is I am broke as a joke now (just had our first kid) and it will be years before I can afford real suspension. I have even debated going back to ricelands since the ride was much more comfortable with them (don't have money for track days eiter so who needs real performance).
I even tried to see if Fatcat could do anything to re-valve them to something that works for me, but obviously they won't touch it. I didn't even get a reply email.
Sorry, I thought I was over it (happened back in spring of 2011), but this thread just made it clear that I still would like to have a very colorful conversation with this low life! It still amazes me that he can still be in business after all this crap.
But ya, Bernie's customer service is pretty poor.
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09-09-2013, 11:53 PM
#15
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Gulf Coast, MS
Posts: 108
Total Cats: 3
Relte,
My springs rates are similar to yours, and mine isn't abusive at all. Firm, but not as firm as my stock R-package, even with the FCM bump stops. But then again, your revalve might be totally different. Wish Bernie would have sent me a dyno sheet on the shocks.
Anyway, my setup should be very similar to Tasty Danish's SD setup. I wonder who bought his shocks when he parted out.
My springs rates are similar to yours, and mine isn't abusive at all. Firm, but not as firm as my stock R-package, even with the FCM bump stops. But then again, your revalve might be totally different. Wish Bernie would have sent me a dyno sheet on the shocks.
Anyway, my setup should be very similar to Tasty Danish's SD setup. I wonder who bought his shocks when he parted out.
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09-10-2013, 11:54 PM
#18
Relte,
My springs rates are similar to yours, and mine isn't abusive at all. Firm, but not as firm as my stock R-package, even with the FCM bump stops. But then again, your revalve might be totally different. Wish Bernie would have sent me a dyno sheet on the shocks.
Anyway, my setup should be very similar to Tasty Danish's SD setup. I wonder who bought his shocks when he parted out.
My springs rates are similar to yours, and mine isn't abusive at all. Firm, but not as firm as my stock R-package, even with the FCM bump stops. But then again, your revalve might be totally different. Wish Bernie would have sent me a dyno sheet on the shocks.
Anyway, my setup should be very similar to Tasty Danish's SD setup. I wonder who bought his shocks when he parted out.
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09-11-2013, 12:38 AM
#19
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Gulf Coast, MS
Posts: 108
Total Cats: 3
How do you like your 2nd set?
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