Trick or treat?

[macdaddy]

Hey people, how do i adjust my rear supension on my 2008 500 efi sportsman? Im gonna be pulling a trailor full of kids around tonight to trick or treat and need my rear supension tightened up. thanks.

[blueline15]

You need a spanner wrench.



^^Looks like that. The tab at the end of the wrench fits into the notches in the collar at the base of you spring. There are tabs on the strut that this collar sits on. You'll see when you look at it, but as you spin the collar with a spanner wrench, it adjust to different "levels" as it sits on the tabs on the strut. As the collar goes up, it gets stiffer, probably what you want.

If you dont have the spanner wrench, it can be done with a punch and hammer, and some patience. The spanner wrench is by far the easiest way to do it though.

[lost cause]

Just use a set of channel locks and your shocks up to the highest setting.

[Mike B]

I used a set of channel locks also, shoot some WD-40 on them too.

[macdaddy]

do i need to jack my bike up to do this? Sorry im a mechanical idiot.

[Mike B]

Yes I would, I would also take the rear wheels off. It makes it much easier to do.

[macdaddy]

sounds like alot of work? thanks dudes!

[Mike B]

I have a small floor jack and a 1/2" drive impact. With the right tools should only take you 5-10 minutes.

[lost cause]

You shouldn't need to jack it up and take the tires off. Try adjusting them without doing that first to save yourself the hassel.

[jandj]

Its a tight fit with the wheels on. I have an 08 500 and I have to take the wheels off to adjust mine. Also the spanner wrench I have didnt work so I used adjustable oil filter pliers, worked great. Happy Holloween!