Front Suspension Adjustments

Content Source: 2019 550 Indy ES Owner’s Manual (9928874 R02) > The Perfect Fit Chapter

IMPORTANT

The Owner's Manual for this vehicle contains warnings, instructions and other information you must read and fully understand before safely riding or performing maintenance on this vehicle.Always follow the warnings and instructions in Owner's Manual.

Click the CONTENTS link above for the Table Of Contents, or download a full PDF of the Owner Manual in the Owner Support area of Polaris.com

Front Suspension Adjustments

Factory settings, combined with user adjustments to the rear shock spring, should be all that’s necessary to provide the best riding experience for most riders. If all rear shock spring adjustments have been exhausted and rider weight is at the very high or very low weight range for the stock spring, additional adjustments are possible to the IFS,

Settings will vary from rider to rider, depending on rider weight, vehicle speed, riding style, and trail conditions. We recommend starting with factory settings and then customizing each adjustment individually to suit rider preference. The snowmobile should be methodically tested, one change at a time, under the same conditions (trail and snow conditions, vehicle speed, riding position, etc.) after each adjustment until the best ride is achieved.

Break in the suspension for about 150 miles (240 km) before making adjustments to the front suspension.

IFS Components

Skis

Front Shocks and Springs

Rod Ends

A-arms

IFS Adjustment Options

Front shock spring preload
Optional springs

IFS Shock Spring Preload

Applicable to INDY 121 only. Not applicable to INDY EVO.

Increasing spring preload will increase ski-to-ground pressure. Decreasing spring preload will decrease ski-to-ground pressure. When adjusting, be sure the springs on both the left and right sides of the machine are at the same adjustment. To change shock spring preload, grasp the spring retainer and rotate it.

Initial IFS Preload Setting (from body end to spring )
FOX shocks	4.25'' (10.8 cm)
Ryde FX shocks	5.25'' (13.3 cm)

Increasing the spring preload too much may adversely affect the handling of the snowmobile and the performance of the suspension. Never exceed one inch (2.54 cm) of preload beyond the factory settings.

NOTICE

When decreasing preload, make sure at least two turns of preload are holding the spring between the retainer on the top of the shock and the threaded spring preload adjuster nut on the shock body. Failure to do so could cause the retainer to fall off when the suspension is fully extended.

TIP

Other spring options are available. Please see your POLARIS dealer.

Shock Valving

Some shocks can be revalved if spring preload alone isn’t sufficient and further adjustment is desired to control suspension stiffness. Please see your POLARIS dealer.

WARNING

Changing shock valving requires special tools and a sound knowledge of mechanical theory, tool use, and shop procedures to perform the work safely and correctly. Shocks contain high-pressure nitrogen gas. Use extreme caution when handling high-pressure service equipment. We recommend that this work be performed by a POLARIS dealer.