Shocks....will it ever end.

[Coloradocrawler]

Front ground clearance

[Coloradocrawler]

Rear ground clearance

[Coloradocrawler]

Front and rear shock preload.

[glenlivet]

The problem with an inverted mount like those front ones, is that the ram seals are meant to have lubricating oil against the inside of the seals, kept there by gravity. These shocks have some oil in there as well as the pressurized gas. That's why whenever you see vertical hydraulic cylinders or gas cylinders on a hatchback, toolbox etc. the reservoir end of the shock is always up.
When mounted upside down like that the seals will dry out and then the shock loses its gas charge.
Bummer.

[Coloradocrawler]

glenlivet,

Thanks for you for the knowledge you have shared. I mounted the shocks the exact way the came from the factory on the Wildcat trail 700. I looked up all the info I could before mounting them. The only thing I could find is that this is normal for wildcat SXS.

As you can see in the pics I have very little preload in the front. Any more preload an it lifts the front end too much.

[NMKawierider]

I think I read there was a question on the way the new shocks were mounted on front. They appear correct as FOX shocks on the Wildcat Trail look like this on the back:

http://atvillustrated.com/files/2014.arctic-cat.wildcat-trail-xt.close-up.rear_.JPG


But look like this on the front.

http://utvguide.net/images/WildcatTrail_FrontSus_2014.jpg


Man those look long... Not sure how they compare with the stocks but one of the functions of shocks is to limit the drop on the suspension. There is nothing else that will and it can go far enough to bind the CV joints and snap them while in rotation. That why when ordering shocks the length or "I" to "I" measurement is so important.

[glenlivet]

That's a new one on me, ram on the topside. This learning business just never seems to stop. Thanks for the pics. 

[Coloradocrawler]

NMK,
The eye to eye measurements is about 2 inches longer in the front and 1.6 inches longer in the rear.

The rear droop in only a couple inches more than with the stock shocks. I think the rear sway bar has something to do with that.

The front has about 5 inches more droop than stock and with no sway bar in the front to help limit the droop.

These shocks have longer reservoirs than the stock shocks giving me a ton of travel.

I'm going to put some limiting straps on the front to prevent binding of the CV shafts. I couldn't get them to bind when I jack the wheels off the ground, but that much droop scare me, especially when in 4 wd.

[NMKawierider]

NMK,
The eye to eye measurements is about 2 inches longer in the front and 1.6 inches longer in the rear.

The rear droop in only a couple inches more than with the stock shocks. I think the rear sway bar has something to do with that.

The front has about 5 inches more droop than stock and with no sway bar in the front to help limit the droop.

These shocks have longer reservoirs than the stock shocks giving me a ton of travel.

I'm going to put some limiting straps on the front to prevent binding of the CV shafts. I couldn't get them to bind when I jack the wheels off the ground, but that much droop scare me, especially when in 4 wd.

What does one use for "limiting straps" in a situation like this?

[Coloradocrawler]

To limit the amount of travel so you don't over extend you shocks or bind the CV's.

Several companies ( bandit, king ) won't warranty their shocks if you don't run limiting straps.

[NMKawierider]

To limit the amount of travel so you don't over extend you shocks or bind the CV's.

Several companies ( bandit, king ) won't warranty their shocks if you don't run limiting straps.

Oh..so they make an actual strap for that application. Must be stout..

[Coloradocrawler]

Shocks all dialed in. I did use limiting straps in the front after all.

The straps are 16 in. long and are made for off-road racing, so they should be more than strong enough.

I used the lower stock shocks bushings to make up the shims needed to keep the straps from getting into the shocks.

Overall I have 4 inches more droop than stock. No binding in the front of any kind. In the pic of the front end, the wheel on the left has no strap. You can see that would be a recipe for disaster.

Any thoughts or ideas are appreciated.

[Coloradocrawler]

Limiting straps....

straps with bushings...

Under load and no load.....

[NMKawierider]

Looks good.

[doug80638]

What is "droop" ?