Hello everyone,

I need to adjust the rear shocks on my 2008 Sportsman 500. I opened the owners manual and it said they are adjustable but doesn't say how to. I need to make them stiffer. I am not sure exactly what I need to do, if I have to take the shock off, if I need to jack up the rear end to get the weight off or what. Any help with this would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

I'm new to ATV's, but talked w/dealer about adjusting springs ... I have a 2009 XP 550. The packet that came with it included a tool that looks like a hook or claw. Below the spring is a notched piece that you turn left to tighten, right to loosen.

(later update: forgot to mention, could not adjust the spring until I jacked up the front, I'm sure the rear is the same. So use a jack and the adjustment can be made easily)

Based on answers to a post I recently submitted ... with a plow, the front should be 100% tight and rear doesn't matter. When riding trails, will want a softer ride ... I'll probably start at 50% on front and rear.

Hope this helps.

 

Its called a spanner wrench. You can also use larger pliers or a pipe wrench also. I always jack up the unit first and spray some WD40 around the area to make it move easy. I have also had to remove the one rear wheel to adjust it because there is not enough room for it to move with the tire mounted on my 850 XP.

 

thats about the easiest.

 

Yup a big pair of Channel locks works great too...

John

 

thanks for the replies everyone. I am going to try this today to see how it works.

 

ja get'r done?

R'