Lift needed? Bottoming out

[Irv]

Hey RD, my brother in-law has an 04-1/2 Sportsman 500 and recently added Type SS 108's and 27" 589's with 1" wheel spacers and he is having bottoming out issues, he has trimmed the inner fender but it is still rubbing? He is not sure if he needs to trim more or if he needs a front lift? He is a fairly big guy so I know that doesn't help either.
He is looking for any info to help him with these issues. Thanks in advance........Irv

[Mole]

How wide are his front tires?? I just put 9" wide Zillas on my 700 on SS106's with no spacers and no lift and mine does not rub at all. I can't understand why his is rubbing with spacers and aftermarket wheels.

[Rubberdown]

I wish he had talked to me before his trimming. I never had to trim mine and I have the exact same machine. He needs a front lift kit, and or stiffer springs. In my machine right now and for the last 2 years and 2000 miles, I have had my 1-1/2" front and rear lift kit, and a set of front springs out of an 03 700 sportsman (I am pretty sure it was the 03 as they used to be a LOT stiffer back then) and I never rub with 27's.

Let me know if he needs a kit, I have 1-1/2", 2" and for gorilla axled machines a 3" kit all for the fronts, and for the rear, the max you can lift them is 1-1/2"

[Rubberdown]

How wide are his front tires?? I just put 9" wide Zillas on my 700 on SS106's with no spacers and no lift and mine does not rub at all. I can't understand why his is rubbing with spacers and aftermarket wheels.

Chances are its because its an 04.5 500HO (like mine) and the springs sag really fast on these 500's. In fact, the springs probably have the front axles sitting almost parralel (sp) to the ground.

[Irv]

Thanks RD, he says he didn't trim too much, still quite a ways from the screws/nuts. He is interested in the 1 1/2 lift spacers for the front and is curious what springs he should get? He thinks his are as you say, (axles completely level with the ground.) Do you carry springs or do you recommend he just gets them from a Polaris dealer? Thanks again ...........Irv

[Riven]

EPI is a good spring to upgrade to.

[Rubberdown]

Thanks RD, he says he didn't trim too much, still quite a ways from the screws/nuts. He is interested in the 1 1/2 lift spacers for the front and is curious what springs he should get? He thinks his are as you say, (axles completely level with the ground.) Do you carry springs or do you recommend he just gets them from a Polaris dealer? Thanks again ...........Irv


I got quoted from a Canadian polaris dealer for a pair of front 03 700 springs and it was around $150 + for the set, I ended up getting them from a U.S. polaris dealer for around $80 for the set, I ended up getting a second set for badmaners and he gave them to someone he knows. Back in the earlier years, the 700 had some seriously heavy duty front springs, but lately Polaris has really cheaped out on them, they are all poopy and all wear out quickly now.

So I can say that I recommend those from a U.S. dealer or as Riven said, a pair of EPI's that you can probably get through bigdog800efi since he seems to carry almost EVERYTHING LOL or through EPI directly.

As for the front lift kit, its the best on the market, just ask around on any polaris forum anywhere :rockon: the front only is only $90 Canadian shipping included with insurance on the parcel and a tracking #, he just needs to let me know if he wants the 1-1/2" or the 2" front kit.

[Turk]

but lately Polaris has really cheaped out on them, they are all shitty and all wear out quickly now.


The springs on my 06 started to sag only after about 2 months of use.

[Mole]

Chances are its because its an 04.5 500HO (like mine) and the springs sag really fast on these 500's. In fact, the springs probably have the front axles sitting almost parralel (sp) to the ground.

Yeah I keep forgetting I'm new to the Polaris scene Paul.LOL I have alot of learning to do with these machines.

[Irv]

Hey Paul, sorry for the delay getting back to you. He was talking to his neighbor who has an 05 500 and they are both going to try the springs first.
I forwarded your site/link to him so I am guessing your going to have another new member from Oshawa real soon, if he hasn't joined already? Thanks again for your help, I will keep you posted on their progress.........Irv

[Rubberdown]

Cool, thanks Irv.

[lobodog3]

Hi.
I just put new heavy duty springs from my local polaris dealer $60 plus tax.
But for the love of cold beer..:humble: i can not put the front spacer (the one for spring) on ,these spring are so stiff and they are 3 inches longer than my stock ones.

So now i'm going to use the shock plugs only and may be i will have a little play in the springs.

now i need the transmision yoke from the front prop shaft.

Oh and the ice on lake simcoe is great to drive on now:party:

[Rubberdown]

Hi.
I just put new heavy duty springs from my local polaris dealer $60 plus tax.
But for the love of cold beer..:humble: i can not put the front spacer (the one for spring) on ,these spring are so stiff and they are 3 inches longer than my stock ones.

So now i'm going to use the shock plugs only and may be i will have a little play in the springs.

now i need the transmision yoke from the front prop shaft.

Oh and the ice on lake simcoe is great to drive on now:party:

I would check with your dealer and make sure they gave you the right springs. I recently read something on "coil binding" with springs that are too long, or have too many coils and the spring coils will bottom out against each other long before the shock is fully compressed. This would make for a very uncomfortable ride, and could cause something to break, like the spring retainers or the spring pre-load adjuster.

And welcome to the forum ;)

[Turk]

Hello lobodog3 and welocme to the forum.