I have the '05 700 EFI and got in the Progressive Suspension Spring Kit. Unfortunately I don't have a manual for the machine, which the mount of the front struts is similar to the earlier 700's.

I'm assuming looking at the mount, that I need a spring compressor to compress the springs, which I don't have, but can get....

So, here is what I believe needs to happen, some one correct me:

1) Remove the upper retaining nut and hardware under the nut.
2) Compress the spring.
3) Jack up the front end of the machine until the upper strut clears the mount on top
4) Remove the spring retaining nut and associated hardware or do I pull the whole strut out of the lower mount??????
5) Remove the spring, etc
6) Install the adjuster on the bottom of the mount, remove the washer as indicated on the instructions
7) Install spring (compressed)
8) Install spring retaining bumper and nut
9) Lower jack
10) Remove spring compressor
11) Install upper hardware and nut

Please tell me if I am close. Not having a manual, I don't want to pull the drive shafts out or rip the boot....

thanks,
dave

 

you should be able to pull the top nut off the top of the strut and then just jack the front up just enough to slide the strut out of the bracket.you wont need a spring compressor,once the strut is out all you have to do is loosen the bolt holding the sping tight..here is a diagram

 

That won't work....

The spring is sitting against the bottom bracket, the strut housing is mounted and held in place with a couple of pinch bolts in the bottom strut assembly....the main bottom unit in your picture. Once you remove the top nut and jack the machine up, the spring is still under pressure. I believe I need to compress the spring, loosen the bottom two bolts holding the struct in the main unit and remove, then let off the spring compressor and remove the spring....yada, yada, yada

 

Actually it semi-worked. But I've got a problem, the Progressive spring is approximately 3 inches shorter than the stock spring. I thought to myself that it didn't seem right. But what the hell, I installed it because you install the collar which gives alittle height. When I put it all together and lowered the machine, it looks like a low-rider on the front end, way to low and bottoms out....

It has to have the wrong springs. I checked the kit label, its lists for the 600/700 sportsman. On Progressive Suspensions press release page it list this kit for the '05s, only problem is their site is the same number as the 04' , etc. The part number is 31-2007, but this kit does not work....there needs to be something different for the 05' or this kit has the wrong label on it??????????/

Since I didn't have a manual, I have a question, not that it will make a difference....but, is the strut supposed to be bottomed in the hub (bottom unit where the strut is installed in)????? I'm assuming this is the only way these would install....anyways, I know they changed the front suspension on the '05 machines, so I was wondering why the part number could be the same for this unit....

Anyone have any idea's?

I'll call progressive tomorrow...

dave

 

anyone?

 

I would think that your new springs should be 3'' longer not shorter so I would say they sent you some springs for a 500 or something. I was going to insall some Progressive spring on mine but ended up putting a 1'' spacer under my spring and it worked great look at my pics.

 

Thats what I thought...

Talked with Progressive today, they messed up on their website, they don't have them for 2005 models as the setup is different.

They are working on some springs for me. The stock spring is 13.5" and theirs in the kit is 10.5".....since they are progressive, I would have thought they were and inch or two longer in most cases...

i took pictures, going to send them...

 

Well, spoke with Progressive again today, sent them pics of the springs. The bottom pic is there spring, the top pic (red spring) is the one on my '05 700 EFI....do you see a problem?

Springs

dave