Ok, my front springs are sagging after the miles of riding. I can lift the front end at least 3 inches before the suspension tops out and that's with no weight on the bike. So, I'm gonna do the ol' hockey puck pre-tensioner solution this weekend.

In the spirit of saving time, just wondering if someone can throw in their two cents on removing the front shock assembly on an 05 Sportsman 400. I know I could get it done no problem, but I figure that's what forums are for... share experience.

So, anyone post with some advice/experience getting to and then off the shock assembly. Please post away. Thanks in advance

 

The last time I pulled the front struts I didn't have a spring compressor, so I used one of my 1" ratchet tie down straps to compress the spring enough to remove the strut...not exactly the best way to do the job, but it got the job done.

 

slikjr,

I just opted for the HD springs. I haven't installed them yet, but I got them pretty cheap
10% off Polaris web site price. I am sure you will find several posters who have done the
same as you with good result. Best wishes on this project!

R'

 

I too opted for the HD Springs. Easy install.

 

Yeah, I want the HD springs too. I priced them out (up here in Canada it's almost always 30% more just because) at a few places. Best I found was $120.00.

I would just go that way, but the wife had her input on investing more "needless" (to her) money on the quad. ahahah WOMEN!!! Apparently lift kits, winches, mud tires, upgrades of any kind are "needless". If they only knew! ahaha

So, I'll go with the hockey puck option and save her the money and me the headache!!! ahahah

Thanks for the help guys.

 

They are $82 a pair from this Canadian site. http://www.royaldistributing.c...ING-FALL-2008/140.html

I think the cheaper spring spacers will do what you want thought. You will feel a improvement for sure.

 

you can easily change them w/ ratchet straps to compressor the springs unless your extremly rugged and can do it by hand. stock ones yes, heavy duty or w/ the homemade spacers no. lol.

 

Ya, I'll use a couple ratchet straps and suck them down.

Like I said, I haven't even looked at them yet... is it a whole assembly like on a vehicle? Like with a strut assembly? Or does the top of the spring just push against metal on the bike somehow...?

Hard to explain. No worries... I'll look tomorrow and figure it all out. I installed a 3" lift kit on my Jeep Liberty so I'm sure it will be no more difficult than that that's for sure!

Thanks for the help guys

 

Never mind... checked the microfiche and got the low down on it all. have to take the top of the strut assy apart, put the spacer in, and then reassemble with compressed spring. That will work...

Do I have to take off the front rack to get the struts out of there?

 

just take the top box, off, and the top strut bolt and the the whole assembly will fall towards you, don't let it fall out too far or the CV axles could pop out, I would use metal spacers, versus the rubber, because I've heard they go to pot pretty quick