When to Replace Shocks?
 

I have a 2003 Honda 500 Foreman with 5,500 miles on it. Virtually all of the miles have been on dirt roads with washboard conditions with a heavy load (me, wife, & dog). It just seems this season the ride is a bit rougher than in the past but that is just my perception.

How do you tell when to replace shocks? I seem to recall that on cars, trucks, etc that you push down on the vehicle and if it is sluggish in bouncing back, the shock is bad??

I am not interested in hot rod performance, we use our ATV for local transportation in lieu of beating up our car. Down here ATV's are known as Baja Wheelchairs.

Its basically the same with ATVs as it is with cars..... Too much bounce or slow rebound, or dampening that is too fast..... ATV shocks last a long time.

Stock shocks from the dealer are expensive. I think WorksPerformance makes shocks for those. Might want to check it out. They are expensive too, but a way better shock than stock.

You may be able to have the stock shocks rebuilt (or do it yourself), and have them custom valved/springed for your weight and riding style.

I don't think the factory shocks are rebuildable.

I'm also not a big fan of the compress the suspension and decide it is sluggish method of determining if they are bad (unless you are a shock absorber sales man).

Usually when the go bad there is a lack of damping in one particular spot, which you can only detect by removing the shock and running it through its range of motion by hand. Tire wear usually shows cupping as lack of damping allows the suspension to resonate at a particular frequency. The other way they fail is loss of oil and loss of damping all together.

Anyway, if the shocks are OK and you are looking for a better ride, check your tire pressure. A half pound difference can make a difference. Also putting radials on can make a noteable difference.

Thank you guys for the suggestions. Last season I put on Bighorn radials as a result of your help. My low pressure tire gauge was stolen along with the ATV and after I recovered the ATV I have not replaced the tire gauge, but will do so this week.

I will continue to ride and evaluate the shock performance. Maybe the road crew will grade out the washboards!

For sure get another gauge and set them to around 4.1 or so...