214 - Rebuilding shocks with Chris Hagen of Inertia Laboratory

In this episode, Kevin and Richard sits down with Chris Hagen, owner of Inertia Laboratory. Chris specializes in high-performance damper rebuilds, revalving, dyno testing, and sells high end coilover systems. Before starting Inertia Lab, Chris worked as an engineer for a major vehicle manufacturer, and spent time at AST/Moton - so he brings both OEM engineering credibility and real-world motorsports experience to the table. We dig into what it actually takes to run a suspension service business - from the technical side of shock dyno testing, to the business operations side of managing parts inventory across dozens of damper brands. Chris breaks down rebuild intervals, explains the difference between a $300 coilover and a $3,000 setup, and shares why he's built a reputation for fast turnaround without upselling unnecessary work. We also tie this episode back to our manufacturing systems discussion with Richard Fielder - talking about how Chris applies 5S, standard work documentation, and error-proofing to precision damper work. Plus we get into the tech stack side: what software he's using to run the business, how he tracks jobs and inventory, and what features matter most for service-heavy shops like his. Whether you're a shop owner thinking about adding suspension services, a racer trying to understand what your shocks actually need, or just curious how a one-man specialty shop operates at a high level, this one's packed with practical takeaways. Check out Inertia Lab at inertialaboratory.com Check out My Shop Assist at myshopassist.com for shop management software built for the performance and racing industry. Be sure to

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214 - Rebuilding shocks with Chris Hagen of Inertia Laboratory is an episode from DO IT FOR A LIVING by Todd Earsley.

This episode is 01:01:45 long.

This episode was published on Jan 26, 2026.

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