subject: Installing Snowmobile Shocks: Dealer Vs. Diy [print this page] Turning to the dealer for every little detail is common for snowmobilers who are new to riding. This isn't always necessary. There are a lot of things you can accomplish right at home.
The first thing to consider about whether to install your new snowmobile shocks yourself is how mechanically inclined you are. If mechanics are not your forte, you may want to send your snowmobile to the dealer for any installations. If you're comfortable using basic hand tools, however, you shouldn't have anything to worry about, as your new snowmobile shocks should be able to bolt right onto the frame without any modifications.
Read the instructions manual completely through first if you decide to do the installation yourself. This will ensure that you know your game plan. It will also keep you prepared for something that might otherwise have come as a surprise, such as using a certain tool you must borrow from a friend.
Your manual will give you a set of specific instructions unique to your snowmobile shocks. Just follow the instructions, and look for any additional inserts which may be included depending on the type of model you are using. The tips listed here, for example, are geared toward Fox FLOAT air shocks - shocks which use air as a spring force rather than steel or titanium.
To install your shocks, bolt them into the frame following the instructions in your manual. Next, raise the front skis of your snowmobile with a jack until they are lifted off the ground. This maneuver is necessary for the next step: adjusting the air pressure.
Set the air pressure between 50 to 150 pounds. Once you've gotten out and ridden around, you're welcome to adjust the pressure to suit your taste. You should also reset your shock's pressure setting when the ambient temperature changes by more than 30 degrees, such as moving your sled out into the cold after it's been stored in a heated garage.
Next, test ride the sled. If your snowmobile bottoms or rolls too much, add pressure by increments of 5 pounds. Decrease pressure in the same increments if the setting feels too stiff or harsh. Continue making adjustments until you are satisfied. Keeping notes may help.
After you've installed your snowmobile shocks and found the right settings, make sure you maintain them well. Once a month you should check the air pressure, and once a year you should service the air sleeve. A full shock rebuild is also required every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.
