Okay - I have been searching the forum for info on stiffer front springs because with my plow installed I am overloading the suspension making the quad steer hard.

While looking around I see a lot of posts talking about damaging the front drivetrain by overextending when installing new front springs. The dealer wants $90 in labor to install the Polaris HD Springs so I would like to install myself. After watching this video, it seems to be a pretty simple job - but I don't want to screw up anything in the front end.

What is the issue that these posts are referring to? Is there anything special that I need to do to prevent damage? I was thinking that if I left the tires on and just jacked the frame up enough to remove the spring I should be okay. Is there anything I need to be watching for?

 

i didnt have any trouble when i put my spring spaces in (which would be the same as putting new springs in). the only thing to watch for is not to extend the cv's too far and pull them apart. imo.

 

You need to do more then you describe. There are several threads from the past two years or so on doing it. You are going to need to drop the hub assembly and A arms, remove the caliper and you may as well inspect the CV and boot while you have it apart.
I read the threads on the Polaris forum and it went well. The only thing I can think of that you need to be careful with is bending the outer CV joint in a way that it will come apart. Not the end of the world but the boot would need to come off the put it back together.
With the normal type of springs you are trying to install I don't see any damage to the front end that could be done.
Read the threads here, it's how I figured mine out. Dig in.
Holler if you need help, A bunch of us have done it.
Deerkiller

 

Thanks - extending the cv's too far and pulling them apart was exactly the issue people were mentioning.

I guess I 'll have to take a good look tonight to understand this better.

 

Thanks - extending the cv's too far and pulling them apart was exactly the issue people were mentioning.

I guess I 'll have to take a good look tonight to understand this better.

 

Are you installing new front springs on a '08 Sportsman X2 500EFI if so I think your front end should be the same as my 08 500HO . If that's the case removing your existing front springs and installing new ones is a snap . You just pull the front storage box giving you access to the top mounts and away you go . Took me about 1 hour to pull my front springs and reinstall you only have to deal with all that other stuff if you have the older style . You don't need to drop the hub assembly and A arms, and remove the caliper .

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Spdecat

Are you installing new front springs on a '08 Sportsman X2 500EFI if so I think your front end should be the same as my 08 500HO . If that's the case removing your existing front springs and installing new ones is a snap . You just pull the front storage box giving you access to the top mounts and away you go . Took me about 1 hour to pull my front springs and reinstall you only have to deal with all that other stuff if you have the older style . You don't need to drop the hub assembly and A arms, and remove the caliper .</end quote></div>

Yep that's all I did.....remove the front box and the upper spring mounts are right there..takes about an hour and really easy to do.

 

That's how I did it also. I jacked the front end up, took off the front box/rack. I was very careful to only let the front sag just enough to take the spring off.

 

5 J's,
Didn't see that yours was an 08,
Sounds like a much easier job then the older one's.
Good luck.
Deerkiller

 

I don't think you can really damage the front end by installing new springs....because if and when you happen to catch a bit of air with the front end the suspension with extend all the way anyways right. I think what you are referring to is installing a lift kit on the front end maybe? When you install a lift kit the drive shaft has clearance issues with the strut because of the increased angle it's on...so you have to grind off a bit of the strut. I could be completely wrong on this though...it happens alot according to the wife.