Anybody know any tricks to install front springs without the aid of a spring compressing tool? But w/o getting ko'd or losing a finger!

 

meddy - what type of springs? I installed the Polaris HD springs without a compressor - click here

I believe you will need a compressor (of sorts) with some of the other springs. Many have used a ratchet strap to compress the springs.

There's lots of info on this forum - just do a search for the type of springs you are installing

 

DO one side at a time and llet the weight of the quad do the work for you.

 

when i did mine i did one side at a time using ratchet straps to wrap around and compress the spring.

 

Not sure what year and model you have but I know on the later model sportsman('05 and up) you don't need compressors to install front springs unless you have spacers under the spring......The rear is a different story and requires compressors....5J's did a nice write up...Most important part is to not let the axles drop down too far .....Probably an hour job beginning to end....Very easy........

John

 

i used 2 large hose clamps and got 4 coils on each side and tightened them up evenly and compressed it about 3 inches

 

I did mine with ratchet straps and a ATV jack. Stendori, 5J's and a few others helped me with info. and their pics. While I was at it I snapped a few of my own during this project feel free to check out my pics too off my Webshots page (HD Springs installation). I will say this since I did this RECENTLY, I thought I wasn't compressing the spring enough using two ratchet straps to disassemble the strut from its coupler-strut housing thingy. Use the jack to position it right on the A-arm, allow the arm to drop down enough to swing the strut/spring down far enough to get out and your spring off. -Make sense?

Regards,

R'

 

[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] Here is another way that I do when I change strut cartridges and need to compress spring down to install top plate and nut: large vicegrips wrapped in tape on the jaws or you can use a piece of rubber to keep from scarring chrome shaft,LIGHTLY lock onto shaft through spring about 4 coils down from top and turn vicegrip,it ramps upward and compresses spring enough to install plate and nut and then impact on! Been doing this for years! REAR spring different story; I use a vice and lever type spring compresser to compress spring and remove locking plate.

 

5J, thanx for the instructions on the spring change! I did mine in about 45 min. thanks to your perfectly layed out instructions, maybe polaris should hire you to right there's, there's were pretty poor. Thanx again

 

certainly welcome. Glad the instructions helped.