SideXSide Action - April 2008 - (Page 46)

hen the Side X Side bug bit me hard last year, I took the plunge and purchased my first unit. I couldn’t wait to start accessorizing it and installing cool mods. With so many options available, I really had to budget myself for what would be the best benefit in ride and comfort. In this issue, I will tell you about the new shocks I decided to install and I’ll go through the differences in the adjustment settings to help you decide which would best suit your riding needs. When it comes to shock absorbers, there are many great options out there. Some manufacturers offer shocks with only a compression adjustment. Some offer compression and rebound adjustments. And just about every one of the manufacturers offers a threaded, preload adjustment. With terms like preload, compression, and rebound, it could start to sound like a foreign language. I decided to move forward with the Elka brand shock absorber because they offer a trifecta with compression, rebound, and threaded preload adjustment. W SXS SHOCK ADJUSTMENTS WHAT ARE ALL THOSE R? SCREWS AND KNOBS FO preload adjustment, when you tighten or compress the spring down, the ride height will rise and the ride will be a little firmer. While loosening it, the opposite will happen and the ride height will lower and be a little softer. There is a fine line here though. If you’re compressing the spring/coil too much, you most likely need to upgrade the weight rating of the spring. You shouldn’t have to compress the spring down more than a half of an inch. STORY > CARTMAN YEAH PHOTOS > CHARLENE BOWER With the Elka suspension shock absorber, the threaded preload adjustment is standard. This provides ride height adjustability for disparities in weight with your Side X Side. For example, many of us like to use the Side X Side with our families, which often means installing an aftermarket cage suited for four seats. This adds a significant amount of weight to the vehicle and will lower your ride height. With the threaded 46 SIDE X SIDE ACTION MAGAZINE Moving on to compression adjustment…. In my opinion, this adjustment is an absolute must; it adds more versa- tility to your ride by providing an on-the-fly adjustment for your riding style. By fine tuning the compression and turning the knob clockwise, you can increase the hydraulic resistance inside the chamber to make the suspension harder to fully compress. By turning the knob counter-clockwise, you can lower the hydraulic resistance in the chamber and create a softer ride depending on the terrain you are riding in and number of passengers in the vehicle. If you need to stiffen up the ride more than the compression adjustment will allow, I would add heavier springs with a 50-pound increment to start off and see what works best for you.

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of SideXSide Action - April 2008

SideXSide Action - April 2008 Contents Mailbox News Tips & Tricks Race Interview Next: Bobcat Soldier Meadows Win a Rhino CORR Season Wrap Up Race Year in Review Built For It: Rath Racing Prowler Product Review Shock Adjustments Tech: CDI & ECU Boxes Company Spotlight: Legend Off-Road Wheel Buyers Guide SXS Shoot-Out Gallery Shot New Products On The Go Photo

SideXSide Action - April 2008

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