Hey guys, so I'm debating on adjusting my suspension a little and just had a couple question.

If I increase the preload, can I expect to get a bit more lift? If so, how much?

With increase preload, can I adjust compression/damping to offset the increased stiffness?

I'm generally happy with my machine but think another 3/4 to 1 inch of clearance would give the machine a bit nicer stance.

Any good guides on how to adjust?

Thanks

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

Hey guys, so I'm debating on adjusting my suspension a little and just had a couple question.

If I increase the preload, can I expect to get a bit more lift? If so, how much?

With increase preload, can I adjust compression/damping to offset the increased stiffness?

I'm generally happy with my machine but think another 3/4 to 1 inch of clearance would give the machine a bit nicer stance.

Any good guides on how to adjust?

Thanks

When you increase the preload, you increase the resistance but if you do not change the load on the spring it will lift the body-yes. In general on my trail I find for every millimeter I give it in preload I get about a 1/2" increase on average but it takes that millimeter on both shocks. The EXs and 1000s may be different as their suspension ratios are different. May be half as much.

No, you can not offset the added spring resistance by loosening-up the compression but..you probably can get a smoother ride if it is already set harder then it needs to be. Take all of them and click all to the fast stop, then one click to toward the slow..just one. That should limit the bottoming out and give you about as smooth a ride as possible with CFM shocks. The other thing you should do is if they still offer rebound, that's the bottom adjustments, you should close them..all the way to the Slow, then count the clicks all the way to the Fast. Then find the middle, then go one or two clicks to the slow from there on all shocks. This will stop the jolting after compression to spring back out so fast. I even go a little more to get that cat-like landing or trophy-truck feel...at least as much as possible with these...lol

When you increase the preload, you increase the resistance but if you do not change the load on the spring it will lift the body-yes. In general on my trail I find for every millimeter I give it in preload I get about a 1/2" increase on average but it takes that millimeter on both shocks. The EXs and 1000s may be different as their suspension ratios are different. May be half as much.

No, you can not offset the added spring resistance by loosening-up the compression but..you probably can get a smoother ride if it is already set harder then it needs to be. Take all of them and click all to the fast stop, then one click to toward the slow..just one. That should limit the bottoming out and give you about as smooth a ride as possible with CFM shocks. The other thing you should do is if they still offer rebound, that's the bottom adjustments, you should close them..all the way to the Slow, then count the clicks all the way to the Fast. Then find the middle, then go one or two clicks to the slow from there on all shocks. This will stop the jolting after compression to spring back out so fast. I even go a little more to get that cat-like landing or trophy-truck feel...at least as much as possible with these...lol

Thanks for the feedback. If I remember correctly the tech at the shop told me when he set up the springs he had the front set to middle and the rears two clicks softer.

I'm wondering if I increase the preload all around if I can reduce increase compression and decrease rebound to compensate somewhat.. instead of middle adjustment for front and -2 for rear, if I could increase preload and adjust front -2 and rear -4 while picking up a bit of lift.

Do you think from the pics the machine looks like it sits a bit flat?

I'm coming from a Jeep background and the first thing I would ever do when getting a Jeep would be a lift and larger tires. I know this isn't a Jeep and won't ever ride like one, but I think an inch more clearance will make a big difference in appearance and likely on the trails as well. Am I going to greatly sacrifice ride quality if I start messin?

Thanks

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

Looks pretty normal. You want the suspension to ride in the middle...or near the middle of it's travel. Middle would be 50/50 and a theoretical maximum lift would be 60/40 where 60% is available for compression and 40% of the travel is available for rebound. Try this: First on a flat surface measure from the hitch to the ground then from the front skid plate to the ground. Then just jack it up so the tires are off the ground...front then back, loosen the preload ring lock ring, mark the preload ring so you know where you are... and give it two full turns tighter on all and re lock each. Try it without doing anything else and measure it again to see the difference. If its too high or stiff back it down one turn or if not enough go one more turn up and see. After you get the ride height where you want it then work on the compression and rebound. Keep track of where you started cause you can always go back to that.

Looks pretty normal. You want the suspension to ride in the middle...or near the middle of it's travel. Middle would be 50/50 and a theoretical maximum lift would be 60/40 where 60% is available for compression and 40% of the travel is available for rebound. Try this: First on a flat surface measure from the hitch to the ground then from the front skid plate to the ground. Then just jack it up so the tires are off the ground...front then back, loosen the preload ring lock ring, mark the preload ring so you know where you are... and give it two full turns tighter on all and re lock each. Try it without doing anything else and measure it again to see the difference. If its too high or stiff back it down one turn or if not enough go one more turn up and see. After you get the ride height where you want it then work on the compression and rebound. Keep track of where you started cause you can always go back to that.

Thanks I appreciate the help.

Any particular place I should use as a jacking point to get it in the air one end at a time?

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

Looks pretty normal. You want the suspension to ride in the middle...or near the middle of it's travel. Middle would be 50/50 and a theoretical maximum lift would be 60/40 where 60% is available for compression and 40% of the travel is available for rebound. Try this: First on a flat surface measure from the hitch to the ground then from the front skid plate to the ground. Then just jack it up so the tires are off the ground...front then back, loosen the preload ring lock ring, mark the preload ring so you know where you are... and give it two full turns tighter on all and re lock each. Try it without doing anything else and measure it again to see the difference. If its too high or stiff back it down one turn or if not enough go one more turn up and see. After you get the ride height where you want it then work on the compression and rebound. Keep track of where you started cause you can always go back to that.

Thanks I appreciate the help.

Any particular place I should use as a jacking point to get it in the air one end at a time?

Hitch on the back and under the metal shield on front.

Hi, I have returned to this topic since I had to adjust the preload to the maximum so that the stabilizer bars do their job. Any 4x4 vehicle must have the stabilizer bars at 90 degrees to the horizontal or 15 degrees below it. The only way to achieve this with the standard shocks is to set the preload to the maximum. Even so, the suspension is still soft. Has anyone the same thing happen to you? Thank you