dmcentee

Hi all,

I'm looking for a shop to replace my front shocks in the St. Louis area.
I used to use Reid Vann, but estimate $1K + alignment to do the front shocks (Koni) seemed a little high.

Any ideas? Or is this a typical cost ?

rsr91128

Reid Vann is the most respected independant by far (as far as I know they are the only one). They are also expensive. If I were paying somebody to do work on my car, that is where I would take it.

Is that $1k just for labor on the fronts, or parts included? Are you just changing the fronts? By Koni do you mean inserts or complete struts? There is more labor involved for just inserts.


If you want to try a DIY suspension install it's not too bad, myself and a couple of other local Rennlisters have installed them and I am sure wouldn't mind to help you get them in. Then you just need to get it aligned.

Check out this thread, if you think you could do it let me know if you want a hand. https://rennlist.com/forums/993-foru...r-dummies.html

As for a 993 alignment in STL I did my own and plan to have it double checked by a tire place in IL that has a Hunter setup and will let me observe, but I have not used them yet so I can not recommend. I know Reid Vann can do a proper alignment on a 993 but it is really spendy.

KBell

I second Reid Vann.

dmcentee

Is that $1k just for labor on the fronts, or parts included? Are you just changing the fronts? By Koni do you mean inserts or complete struts? There is more labor involved for just inserts.

The cost included labor ~$400 and ~$600 strut inserts; front only. Does that sound reasonable?

I truly appreciate the offer for assistance - but I wouldn't contemplate a DIY until late spring.

rsr91128

Are you a PCA member?

Reid and Liz offer a pretty good discount for new STLPCA members. When I joined a couple of years ago I got a certificate in the mail for a discount (I think it was like 20%???). I would try to find it and give it to you but it had my name on it. It's worth a try to ask.

I guess the labor is probably right if they have to remove, cut apart, install inserts and reassemble. 4+ hours? @ $90? an hour.

Hope to see you on the road sometime

craig001

If the $1000 includes the parts and alignment then it really is not too bad. They charge about $400 for a corner weight/alignment and that was a couple of years ago. If the parts include then struts, spreings, etc then you probably have a nice chunk of change there too. I don't know what the shop rate is these days but it was $133/hr a while back. You could try to find Jon Rhodes who used to be at RV amd went out on his own. Kent at German Auto behind Crestwood Court/Mall might still work on cars on an individual basis but he mainly restores WW2 vehicles these days, There is a foreign place south of Manchester Road on Brentwood Blvd. on the east side of the street past Schnucks. Never used them. There is GLB on Big Bend north of 40, I know a friend of mine likes them. But afer than I don't know.

icelatte

Here's a plug for Jon Rhodes at ET tuning. As mentioned, he used to be at Reid Vann. He does my track alignment and corner balance and should be less than the RV quote. His shop is Union but give him a call and he may be able to help you with transport. 314.750.3028

craig001

Thanks for Jons number. He's been gone from RV for several years and I did not know how to find him. Union is an issue just for getting there and back again, but since I hit another snag in getting the declaratory judgement I now have no idea when this car will be legal to drive - 30 months and counting of gathering dust. Sigh.

rsr91128

Hey Chak and Craig,

I didn't know who you were talking about, I had heard of ET but didn't know that was Jon Rhodes.

STLPCA is planning a dyno tech session at his place in Feb. tenative date is the 19th. I don't know all the details yet, but I plan to be there.

Craig, sorry to hear the title is still in limbo. Best of luck with it.

DanL993

+1 Jon did the PPI on my '96 last year for about $70 less than Reid Vann. Great guy to work with.

dmcentee

Thanks for the update on Jon. He was a great guy to work with at RV - I needed a new alternator bearing and Jon ended up getting four of them from Porsche before he found one that he was happy with (the others felt 'lumpy' as you turned them) so I know that he had my best interest in mind.

specialk22tt

Hi guys. I'm new to these forums. I live in the STL area and am looking to buy a 996tt within the year. Do you know of anyone who has one around town? Do you guys ever meet up? Thanks.

Kevin

craig001

Join PCA - the StL region does stuff every month. I used to do SCCA Gimmick Rallies but have been unable to participate for the last couple of years.