Arctic Cat HDX 500 2017, Service Manual

Page: 180 / 190

179
Suspension
The following suspension system components should be
inspected periodically to ensure proper operation.
A. Shock absorber rods bent, pitted, or damaged.
B. Rubber damper cracked, broken, or missing.
C. Shock absorber body damaged, punctured, or leak-
ing.
D. Shock absorber eyelets broken, bent, or cracked.
E. Shock absorber eyelet bushings worn, deteriorated,
cracked, or missing.
F. Shock absorber spring broken or sagging.
G. Sway bar mountings tight and bushings secure.
SPECIAL TOOL
A special tool must be available to the technician when
performing service procedures in this section. Refer to
the current Special Tools Catalog for the appropriate tool
description.
 NOTE: When indicated for use, each special tool
will be identified by its specific name, as shown in the
chart below, and capitalized.
 NOTE: Special tools are available from the Arctic
Cat Service Department.
Shock Absorbers
Each shock absorber should be visibly checked weekly
for excessive fluid leakage (some seal leakage may be
observed but it does not indicate the shock is in need of
replacement), cracks or breaks in the lower case, or a
bent shock rod. If any one of these conditions is detected,
replacement is necessary.

NOTE: When the vehicle is operated in extremely
cold weather (-23° C/-10° F or colder), a small amount
of leakage may be present. Unless the leakage is exces-
sive, replacement is not necessary.
This vehicle is equipped with adjustable shock assem-
blies in the front and rear to allow for different driving
and loading conditions.
The front shock absorbers have an adjustment sleeve
with five preload adjustment positions that can be turned
with the spanner wrench to increase or decrease coil
spring tension.
To adjust the spring force on these shock absorbers,
rotate the preload adjustment sleeve with a suitable span-
ner wrench until desired spring tension is achieved.
PR015

NOTE: Before attempting to adjust suspension,
clean dirt and debris from the sleeve and remove load
from the suspension; then use the spanner wrench to
adjust the sleeve to the desired position.
On the 700, the rear shock absorbers combine fixed pre-
load springs and a variable air assist to provide adjust-
ment allowing for differing driving and loading
conditions.
To adjust air pressure on these shock absorbers, connect
the air pump to the valve fitting on the top of the shock
absorber and pump (to increase pressure) or depress
bleed valve (to decrease pressure) until desired pressure
is achieved.

NOTE: For proper air pressure in rear shocks, use
the following recommended settings. The vehicle must
be lifted off the ground with the shocks fully extended.
Do not rapidly fill shocks. Shocks may lose air over
time. Check pressure periodically.
Description p/n
Fox Shock Air Pump 2603-614
Spring Removal Tool 0644-057
Position Spring Force Setting Load
1
Stronger
Soft
Stiff
Light
Heavy
2
3
4
5
Payload Pressure
0-300 lb 15 psi
300-600 lb 60 psi (min)
600-900 lb 90 psi (min)
900-1750 lb 150 psi