Suspensions are very important parts of off-road vehicles such as all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). They allow the vehicle to travel over rough terrains without damaging the wheels or the frame of the vehicle. The suspension system consists of springs and shock absorbers that absorb shocks and vibrations from bumps in the ground.
If the suspension does break down, then the tires would no longer be able to support the weight of the vehicle and it might fall apart. When the suspension fails, the vehicle can become unstable and unsafe. This can cause serious injuries to the driver and passengers. In some extreme cases, the vehicle can even flip over. Therefore, it is imperative that the suspension always be checked before using the vehicle.
What Does the Suspension Do on an ATV?
An ATV suspension is a very important part of the vehicle. Without it, your ATV could easily get damaged while traveling over bumpy surfaces. This is why most ATVs come with one.
A suspension works like a cushion. Imagine yourself sitting inside a car seat, you probably don't feel much movement because there is a cushion underneath you. Your body weight is supported by the seat. In the same way, your ATV is supported by suspension springs. The suspension bearings keep your ATV vehicle stable and safe while riding over uneven terrain.
When you hit a bump, the suspension absorbs some of the impact. If you hit a large rock, the suspension prevents your ATV vehicle from getting damaged. In short, an ATV suspension helps your vehicle travel safely over rough terrain as it allows you to achieve additional ground clearance, creating an overall better riding experience.
How Does an ATV Suspension Work?
Your ATV suspension lift works like a big spring that keeps your whole vehicle level. The front end of your ATV rides up and down on the spring. When you start moving forward, the spring pushes against the rear wheels, keeping them stable.
If you stop suddenly, the springs push against the rear wheels again, helping to keep your vehicle steady. To make sure everything stays level, the shocks connect directly to the frame of your ATV. They're designed to move up and down, absorbing the bumps and jolts of driving.
The Types of Shocks Available
There are a few different types of stock shocks on the market at the moment. The type you choose will depend on what you are looking to achieve and the specific way in which you want to customize your vehicle. Below are a couple of the most popular types of shocks.
Monotube Shock
A monotube shock is one of the most popular shocks used on off-road vehicles. Monotubes are typically found on four-wheelers and side x side vehicles. These shocks work great because they provide a smooth ride without feeling like there is too much travel. They do, however, require some maintenance to keep working properly.
The main advantage of a monotube shock is that it does not use springs. Springs can wear out quickly and cause damage to the suspension system. Monotubes are sealed and therefore don't leak fluid. Monotubes are also very durable and will last longer than spring shocks. The biggest disadvantage is that they cost more than a traditional spring shock. You can save money by buying a cheaper shock, but you won't get the same performance.
Remote Reservoir Shock
The remote reservoir shock is similar to the traditional monotube shock except that it does not use a hose to connect to the shock body. Instead, there are tubes connecting the remote reservoir to the shock body. This allows you to place the remote reservoir anywhere on your truck without having to worry about where the shock goes. The remote reservoir shock uses a different type of fluid compared to the standard monotube shock. This makes it different from the piggyback reservoir shock.
Which Type of Suspension Is Best for an ATV?
Which type of suspension is best will depend on the type of trail riding you are planning on doing. If you are looking for a smoother ride, a monotube shock will probably be best for you. However, if you like aggressive riding on a rough trail, you will be better off with a remote reservoir shock as the riding gear runs on lower pressure.
How to Adjust Your Shocks
The key thing to remember when working on your shocks is that there are two distinct parts: the body and the tube. Both sides are attached to each other by a rubber bushing. If you look closely at the tube, you'll see that it's actually split into two pieces. These two halves are called stages.
Each stage controls how much pressure is applied to the tire. By changing the amount of pressure, you change the amount of force the shock applies to the wheel. This allows you to fine-tune the ride height of your ATV. There is always an adjustment possibility if you feel that you are failing to achieve decent suspension travel,.
Adjust the Preload
In general, you will find that most shocks come with a collar that allows you to easily adjust the preload. Most shocks have a small hole in the middle of the collar where you can use a screwdriver or similar tool to tighten or loosen the collar.
Some shocks have a collar with a locking ring. These collars usually look like a circle with a groove around them. There is either a pin or a slot that goes into the groove. When you turn the collar, the pin or slot moves along the groove, allowing you to move the collar up or down.
You want to ensure that you have the appropriate ride height set which means you want the vehicle level with the rider. In order to achieve this, ensure that the rear suspensions compress to a fourth of their original travel when under the weight of the rider. If you know you are going to have a heavy load on your ATV, or additional carrier bearings, set the preload to level the machine.
Adjust the Compression
The next type of adjustment is called compression. Compression adjusters control how much air moves through the shock. This affects the way the shock works. A high level of compression, also known as high-speed compression, makes the shock work harder and makes the ride softer. A low amount of compression, or low-speed compression, makes the ride firmer and less comfortable.
Both low-speed compression adjustment and high-speed compression adjustment are done by turning a knob on the end of the shock. You turn the knob clockwise to increase the amount of compression and turn it counterclockwise to decrease the amount of compression. For the majority of the front and rear shocks, the adjuster is near the top of the shock mount.
Adjust the Rebound
The rebound adjustment works like this: When you hit a bump, your spring goes down and your shock moves up. Then the spring goes back up and the shock moves back down. This process repeats itself over and over.
If you adjust too much, the spring will go back up too high, and the shock will move back down too far. You end up hitting the same bump over and over again. If you adjust your rebound too little, the spring will go down too low, and the shock won't move back up high enough. You'll end up hitting the ground hard because the spring is compressed too much.
How to Lower or Soften Your ATV Suspension
The best way to lower your suspension is to buy custom springs but there are some things you can do to soften it up as well. First off, you can adjust the preload on the shocks. This allows you to change how much air goes into the shock. By raising the preload, you will make the shocks softer.
You can also use the same technique to lower the suspension. Just remember that the higher the preload, the higher the ride height. To adjust the preload, you must loosen the nut holding the spring onto the shock body and then turn the knob clockwise to increase the preload. When you tighten the nut, the preload will go down. Once you reach the desired amount, tighten the nut again.
You can also adjust the rebound damping of the shocks. Raise the rebound damping to make the shocks softer. Again, this works just like the preload adjustment. Lastly, you can adjust the compression damping of the shocks to make the shocks softer as well. Raise the compression damping to make the shock firmer.
Shop for ATV Accessories
Any experienced rider knows that riding an ATV is as much about customizing the vehicle to make it your own as it is about the riding. Although ATVs come ready to ride, there are different things that you can do to ensure that your vehicle rides exactly as you want it to. Perfex Industries is your one-stop shop for ATV accessories.
We sell a wide range of accessories including:
