UTV Shocks & Suspension Maintenance

Your UTV’s shocks and suspension have the important job of ensuring that whatever interferences the vehicle encounters on the trail do not excessively jar you or your passengers. This complex system requires careful adjustment and maintenance in order to do its job effectively, which is why the experts at Moto Zoo St. George have created this guide to maintaining your UTV’s shocks and suspension.

Getting Your Shocks Adjusted

There are five different ways in which your UTV’s shocks can be adjusted. Low-speed and high-speed damping control vibration at low and high speeds, respectively. Rebound damping minimizes how much the vehicle bobs up and down. Preload adjustment stiffens or relaxes the suspension system by compressing or decompressing the spring. Finally, the ride height shifts the amount of travel (movement) that the swing or A-arms provide. This can be a lot to remember, but luckily you’ll usually only need to adjust one setting at a time.

How exactly you will need to adjust your UTV’s shocks will depend upon how you plan to use the UTV. For example, if you want to use your side by side to haul trailers or carry a heavy load, you should take a look at the preload adjustment. For trail riding in an area with lots of bumpy terrain, make adjustments to the rebound damping. If you plan to do some racing, it is important to get the high-speed damping just right. If you plan to switch activities, make sure that your shocks are properly adjusted to match how you plan to use the UTV.

Professional UTV Suspension Maintenance

The shock and suspension systems on a modern UTV are very complicated, so much so that it is usually best to have a professional do the adjustments for you. Admittedly, needing to schedule a service appointment every time you want to switch activities can be inconvenient. However, calibrating a UTV’s suspension system requires a unique skill set along with a lot of firsthand knowledge and experience, and you don’t want to risk damaging it by attempting to repair it yourself.

Visit Moto Zoo St. George for all your UTV maintenance needs! Our dealership in St. George, Utah also stocks a selection of new and pre-owned UTVs from the best brands in the industry. We are proud to serve communities like Mesquite and Cedar City, Utah, and we hope to see you soon.