Content Source: 2019 850 Switchback Assault / SKS Owner’s Manual (9928944 R01) > 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

SUSPENSION QUICK SET-UP GUIDE

The front and rear suspensions on your snowmobile are easy to adjust. Just remember three simple steps:
Step 1: Ride your snowmobile.
Ride the snowmobile in various terrain to fully experience the existing suspension settings before making any adjustments.
Step 2: Adjust the torsion spring to tune vehicle balance.
After riding, you should be able to determine if the snowmobile needs more or less transfer.
  • For more transfer, decrease the torsion spring preload.
  • For less transfer, increase the torsion spring preload.
If you prefer your snowmobile has lighter steering, decrease the torsion spring preload or increase the front track shock spring preload.
Step 3: Adjust shock clickers (if equipped) for ride quality.
For models equipped with monotube shocks, always adjust the rear torsion spring preload to enhance bottoming resistance.
For models with shock clickers, you can adjust the clickers to control bottoming and adjust ride comfort.
  • Turn a clicker counter-clockwise to decrease damping for a softer ride.
  • Turn a clicker clockwise to increase damping for a stiffer ride and less bottoming.
NOTE
Always adjust the clicker at least one click below full stiff (full clockwise) or shock damage could occur.
Test ride the snowmobile and continue making spring and clicker adjustments until you achieve the perfect ride.
NOTE
Adding traction components, such as traction studs or additional ski skag carbides, or changing the factory equipped track, could change handling characteristics. Addition setup may be required.

Shock Locations

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Rear Track Shock
Front Track Shock
Front IFS Shock

Shock Compression Damping

The primary adjustment for overall vehicle balance is torsion spring preload. Perform this adjustment first. After adjusting torsion spring preload to your satisfaction, compression damping adjustments can be made to control ride quality and bottoming resistance.
Compression damping can be adjusted at the front suspension and at the front and rear track shock. Make adjustments in 2-click increments, then test ride. When adjusting the front suspension, always adjust both clickers equally.
To stop bottoming of the front or rear suspension (stiffer ride), rotate the clicker(s) clockwise two clicks (as viewed from the top of the clicker), then test ride. Repeat the adjustment until bottoming stops and the desired ride quality is achieved.
For a more plush ride at the front or rear suspension, rotate the clicker(s) counter-clockwise two clicks, then test ride. Repeat the adjustment until the desired ride quality is achieved.

Torsion Spring Adjustments

To adjust rear torsion spring preload, rotate the three-position cam using the engine spark plug tool. Adjustment is easiest when the cam is rotated from low to medium, and then to high. Rotating directly from low to high will require significantly more effort. Different rate torsion springs are available if a firmer ride is desired. See your dealer for more information.
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Soft

Medium

Firm

Optional Springs

If the correct balance cannot be obtained by adjusting the stock springs, please install the appropriate optional heavy or light springs listed below.

Part Number

Spring Type

Description

7041942–329

Spring, Torsion

.375/77, BLK, LH, HEAVY

7041943–329

Spring, Torsion

.375/77, BLK, RH, HEAVY

7041627–067

Spring, Torsion

.347/77, BLK, LH, LIGHT

7041628–067

Spring, Torsion

.347/77, BLK, RH, LIGHT

Rear Track Shock Factory Clicker Settings

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Model

Clicker Setting

(from full soft)

Switchback Assault

8

SKS 146

8

Front Track Shock Spring Settings

Factory settings, combined with user adjustments to the rear torsion spring, should be all that’s necessary to provide the best riding experience for most riders. The primary adjustment for overall vehicle balance is the rear torsion spring preload. Perform this adjustment first.
Always perform shock spring preload adjustments with the weight of the vehicle removed from the shock and with the shock at full extension.
NOTICE
Never adjust spring preload to an installed length longer than the factory length or shorter than the minimum length as shown in the following chart. Damage to the suspension could result. When decreasing preload, make sure at least two turns of preload are holding the retainer against the spring.
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Front Track Shock Spring Settings

Factory Spring

Maximum Installed Length

Minimum Installed Length

Switchback ASSAULT

1.25" (3.2 cm)

1" (2.5 cm)

SKS 146

1.25" (3.2 cm)

1" (2.5 cm)

Front Track Factory Clicker Settings

Model

Clicker Setting

(from full soft)

Switchback ASSAULT

2

SKS 146

2

Front Suspension (IFS) Shock Adjustments (if equipped)

Always perform shock spring preload adjustments with the weight of the vehicle removed from the shock and with the shock at full extension.
To reset IFS clickers, rotate the clicker to full stiff, and then back off the same number of clicks for each shock.
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IFS SHOCK SPRING SETTINGS

FACTORY SPRING

FACTORY INSTALLED LENGTH

MINIMUM INSTALLED LENGTH

Switchback ASSAULT

10” (25.4 cm)

9.5” (24 cm)

SKS 146

10” (25.4 cm)

9.5” (24 cm)

IFS Remote Reservoir Shock Factory Clicker Settings

Model

Clicker Setting

(from full soft)

Switchback ASSAULT

6

SKS 146

6

Limiter Strap Adjustment

The front torque arm limiter strap is set at position .

POLARIS recommends leaving the limiter strap length at position to maintain the optimum ride characteristics of the snowmobile. Riders who desire less ski pressure and more weight transfer toward the rear of the snowmobile can lengthen the limiter strap by changing to position .

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  1. Loosen the lock nut.
  2. Adjust the limiter strap.
  3. Tighten the lock nut.
    TORQUE

    16 ft-lbs (21 Nm).

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