I have a 2004 Honda Rancher AT 400. This bike has never been jumped or ridin' hard. But, it has been used for hauling deer and bait in and out of the woods.

So here is the issue. I noticed i can easily push the back end of the rancher up and down several times before the shock absorber actual works and restricts my efforts. And when i say easily, I mean it takes little to no effort. It almost feels like a trampolene. Then once the shock absorber grabs, it seems everything seems to work fine.

Do I have a bad spring or shock? if so, are they easily replaced by the weekend mechanic? and finally question, what would you replace the OEM stock shock with?

thanks for your help.

 

look if your springs were bad it/ they would be cracked or broken in one way or another so most likly its your shock they are very simple if wanted you could do it your self its a matter of just taking the bolt that keeps the shock on the a arm off and the shock to the frame but i would suggest taking of the a arms on the top also if you get any thing other then OEM you will be making a modification to it witch means it changes every dimension weight wise and strength wise and you wont know your limits i would say stick with OEM and jsut get the whole assembly replaced shocks and springs cus if you broke the shock most likly you over compressed the shocks i am just guessing id have to see pictures of them to tell you for a fact whats going on

 

I always thought the OEM rear shocks on my Rancher was a little too stiff for me since I mostly trail ride with very little use of the rear racks. I looked into getting a stage 1 rear shock and spring setup from Elka suspension. I did a lot of research and even spoke with a technician at Elka and came away very impressed. Unfortunately a family issue came up and decided to put off the purchase until next spring. Anyway, here is the transcript I had with Elka suspension

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Thank you very much for choosing Elka Suspension.

My best seller for this type of ATV and this type of riding is the Stage 1 with adjustable rebound.

The Stage 1 shocks feature the same quality components and careful craftsmanship as our higher-end series. They are custom-built for the rider’s weight, riding style and preferred terrain, with custom spring set-up and valving. While they don't provide as much adjustability, they can greatly improve your ATV’s performance and handling. You get the same performance and benefits of our racing shocks, only with less adjustability.

For recreational riders on a more modest budget, the Stage 1 greatly enhances the overall handling and performance of your quad. These value-packed, easy-to-use shock absorbers are some of the best replacement shocks you can buy for your ATV. They will provide maximum comfort and performance in a carefree package. They feature a threaded preload adjuster which is easy to use. They are perfectly suited to your personal needs, so you spend less time tuning and more time having fun riding.

REBOUND

Riders looking for more versatile suspension will greatly benefit from the rebound adjustment as it allows optimal performance, comfort and traction by helping to keep the wheels on the ground.

Front pair $595.00

Rear shock $395.00

Since all of our shocks are built according to specs (rider’s weight, riding style, vehicle geometry), allow 10-15 business days turnaround for delivery.

When do you need these shocks?

Call me at the office when ready to move forward with this order.

Sebastian ext: 244

1.800.557.0552

Mon-Fri 09:00-05:00 Eastern Time

Regards,

Sebastian Levesque

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