XTRA-12 suspension adjustments
Jeff McCracken
I've got a 97 Polaris XLT Touring sled with the XTRA-12 suspension on
it and I've noticed that it seems to sit lower to the ground than
other sleds I've seen w/XTRA-12's. Those other sleds look like the
rearend is sitting up in the air and like it has a lot of travel.
Mine doesn't look like this. I've also noticed that when riding 2 up
(I almost always ride this way) that the suspension will occasionally
bottom out over big but not LARGE moguls if I hit them a bit too
fast. I'm thinking that if my rear end was jacked up more this
wouldn't happen. To that end, I looked under the sled last night
and I saw 2 shocks, 1 angled to the front of the sled and 1 angled
to the back of the sled. The forward one looked like I could pretty
easily adjust the spring preload on it, but the back shock has a
soft plastic shroud covering it and the spring and I couldn't see
exactly how to make adjustments to this one.
My question is,
1) Do I really want to "jack" my backend up a little ?
and if so,
2) How should I go about this? Like which of these
shocks should I play with ect...
Any insight would be appreciated.
JeffM
DonM
My *opinion* is that you should just increase the setting on your
torsion springs. These are not the shock springs. These are the long
straight springs located one per side of the rear skid. There is a
plastic adjuster block to change the setting.
(Apparently) at the same time, you should turn *in* the adjuster screw
at the base of the shock or shocks. I think only one shock has the
screw. This will give more compression (and bottoming) resistance.
Turns of 1/2 are considered normal, and one full turn is supposed to
make a very large change.
You can make either of the above adjustments separately, but I'm getting
the feeling that Polaris intends you to adjust them together.
One of the shock springs is non adjustable. Yes you can crank up the
spring on the other one. But first just try the torsion spring and
shock compression adjustment.
Occassional bottoming should be overlooked, if it's truly just
occassional. In fact, that's considered an ideal setting.
Don M
Xtra-12 owner
Clem Gazzillo
The 97 Xtra12 are different than the older Xtra12s. Polaris added a few
inches of "ride in" right off the bat. You can adjust the front shock
in the rear skid the same way as the fronts by just turning the spring
to increase or decrease spring preload. You can't adjust the rear shock
spring. Also, you can increase the torsion spring preload. BUT, the
most effective adjustment to reduce bottoming is the shock damping screw
on the front skid shock. You should try this first. If you havent
played with this adjustment, chances are its set in the softest (screw
all the way out) position. Try turning the screw in 1/2 a turn at a
time and see what happens.
Jeff McCracken
I just wanted to say thanks for the responces I got on the list
as well as sent to me personally. These comments have been most
helpful.
John Haffenden
Jeff - Polaris started to mount the rear suspension on the 1997 xtra 12
models different than the 95 and 96 ones. This was done specifically so
that they would not sit as high. Polaris did this to help them not feel as
"tippy". I think they also made minor changes in shock and spring rates
for more "sit in".
Sincere Snow - John - West Michigan.
> I've got a 97 Polaris XLT Touring sled with the XTRA-12 suspension on
> it and I've noticed that it seems to sit lower to the ground than
> other sleds I've seen w/XTRA-12's.
>