Hello folks,
I have a 1996 sportsman that need new front struts. Is this a "do it yourself" fix. I ordered "front shocks" for it, but noted that it has struts, not shocks.

Have any of you done this replacement?
BB

 

It's not too bad of a job really. the one thing I will stess though is if you pull the strut or strut hub too far the axle will come apart inside the cv boot. Then that job becomes a LOT more difficult.

 

pretty easy, with the front fenders off. but that is pain on that one. they are riveted on, the oil tank is to which has to come first.

But when I did, I just left them on. take the bolts out of them down at the floorboards to give you some room to work. the shock comes out of the aluminum srut housing.
The new shocks will have a hex on the top to hold it for tightening the nut. the old ones may just have a flat that you need visegrips to grap.

When you lower the a-arm to give you room to get the shock out. Careful of the coil wire to the front hub.

 

if shocks arent leaking it probably worn out springs, you will be able to tell whats bad when you get it apart, 94 harley is correct to be carefull so you dont pull the cv apart inside the boot

 

I don't know the part number but I do know an automotive part will work because a friend that used to work at an auto parts store once matched them up.

The auto parts cost less than half what the Polaris strut costs.

If I remember correctly a strut insert from a early model Volkswagen Rabbit is the same part.

I may be wrong about the VW but a lot of import cars in those days used an insert for the strut instead of today's type full strut.

 

You can get a decent set off Ebay (Kimpex) from sledpartsguy really reasonable

 

Thank you guys!!!!!
I am gonna give it a shot!!