I have an '11 sportsman 500 h.o. and I was strapping it down after a ride and I noticed a residue on the front spring after looking it appears that it is coming from the top of the shock. Is this plausible? What could cause this and how do I fix it? Thanks in advance. Won't be back on for a day or 2. I'm driving back to OK. from Colorado with a 2 yr. and 10 year old. Wish me luck. Ha-ha.

 

If you compress shocks down with big wide ratchet straps like a lot of people do,they can leak oil past the seals. We've had farmers and ranchers do this until we showed them about using Ancra straps. Easier to use and strong and you don't have to compress down the atv that much to hold it on trailers. Sold quite a few over the years. Ancra Original Blue Tie Downs
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Ok. That makes sense I strapped everything down really tight cause I was traveling about 800 miles and I've had them come loose before so a little paranoid maybe. Is there gonna be any effect on handling or ride cause the leak is there any way to fill or check the fluid? How tight do you recommend to get them, just as tight as I can pull the strap through.

 

Strut cartridges are sealed from at the factory. Most of the guys had 2 sets of tie downs. They'd hook one at the front wheel frame area,then one at the back opposite wheel area and cinch em down. Then add the other at the other side front and rear for extra safety. They actually put most of the stress on the front tires,not so much on the struts. Just depends if on a trailer,pickup,etc. Farmers and ranchers with their 20 foot long, 4 inch wide ratchet straps for heavy equipment were the easiest to convert after they saw how easy it was and how strong they were. OPT