How to Properly Set Up Your UTV Shocks

All UTVs and side-by-sides feature advanced shocks and suspension systems designed to give you a relatively smooth ride on a variety of rough terrains. But many seasoned riders don’t think that their ATV or UTV is ever truly theirs until they’ve “tricked it out.” Even if you’re not an experienced shadetree mechanic, you owe it to yourself to learn the basics about how your UTV’s suspension system works. All suspension systems are designed to be adjusted for different terrain conditions, and making some modifications is a great way to set your Ute up for a great ride. Here are a few things to consider as you begin to adjust your shocks. To learn more or to schedule service, come see us at Cowboy Powersports in Beaumont, Texas. We serve UTV Lovers in Lake Charles and Pasadena, Texas

Ride Height and Pre-Load

If you’re going to add any accessories, you need to start by measuring your ride height before and after you install your accessories. You also need to consider how many passengers and how much gear you’ll be carrying, and consider the weight of a full tank of fuel.

Preload adjustment is one of the most basic changes that you can make to your compression, and it refers to the pressure exerted on the shock springs before the vehicle is placed on the ground. Some preload adjusters have a collar with multiple slots and some feature a threaded preload adjustment with dual-locking rings. A threaded setup allows for a more precise adjustment than locking rings which are usually limited to 5 settings. 

Compression

Compression measures either the upward movement of the suspension towards the chassis, or the direction that it travels in relation to terrain. Compression is a variable depending on vehicle speed and size of object the vehicle has traveled over. You can typically make changes to your compression using a knob or screw located on the body or reservoir of the shock.  Don’t go overboard with the compression if you want a smoother ride, but definitely increase your compression damping if you're bottoming out on sand dunes or jumps.

Rebound

Rebound measures a shock's rate of return to the extended or “up” position after it compresses. The rebound adjuster screw or knob will be located on the bottom of the shaft. A faster rebound rate will give you a smoother ride on a flat surface, and a slower rate will help you tackle rocky or rugged terrain without bottoming out.

Experiment with different setups

Think of changing your setup to running a laboratory. Change one thing at a time, and test it out. Don’t get frustrated if something doesn’t work right away. Just learn from it, and enjoy the ride!

If you have any questions or would like to see our current inventory of new and pre-owned UTVs for sale, visit Cowboy Powersports in Beaumont, Texas. We also serve off-roaders in  Lake Charles and Pasadena, Texas.