All,

Ive seen some YouTube vids and read some how to's on adjusting the rear shocks but many on the forums like here caution against using adjustable wrench. When I google SPANNER WRENCHES I see all shapes and sizes. Could someone guide me on what tool exactly to buy?

Also, im a big guy 400 lbs. My shock settings are factory. How far should I adjust up? My gut tells me 1-2 notches up, but ive never done it before.

Why the need? My atv is squatting some with my weight im trying to acheive better center of gravity and better handling.

Thanks all,

​​​​​​​R'

 

On the older models they used to have the spanner wrench in the tool pouch. I guess you have to buy one now. Most videos will show to jack up the rear end and some people remove the tires to get a better grip on the adjuster collar.Don't use channel lock pliers as some are shown using. It just scars up the collar and also you can break one. The newer Polaris spanner also has a clutch tool on the end.2877408 WRENCH-SPAN/SPEADER I'm fairly sure some of the cheaper ones on ebay would work also as the adjuster collar doesn't appear to have changed over the years.I'd say at least two or three notches up if it's set on the bottom.

 

Awesome thank you OPT!! Great info. Ill look to order one.

 

I would crank it up all the way as stiff as it gets. If that's too much it's easier to go back down than up again. On one of my 500s when cranking it up stiffer I bent a couple of spanners so bad I had to throw them away. When I cranked it back down it just popped into the next notch.

 

so it seems like there is no consenus on these rear settings because everyone may have different experiences. Is that what im hearing? Any danger? Does riding at higher settings make it more prone to instability?

​​​​​​​Thx,

R'

 

No danger in cranking the stiffness all the way up if need be. Just a matter of preference on how soft or stiff support wanted,size of the rider,etc. Just like one of those sleep number beds..

 

Haha awesome!

 

Because of your weight it's like 2 skinnier people riding double. You'll most likely be better off stiffening it up like I did. I believe it can only make the handling better and not worse but opinions vary. It's all about your preference as OPT said.