Content Source: 2021 SWITCHBACK PRO-S / SWITCHBACK XCR Owner’s Manual (9931264 Rev 01) > 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

Introduction

The front and rear suspensions on your AXYS snowmobile are easy to adjust. Just remember three simple steps:
  1. Ride your snowmobile.
  2. Adjust the rear track shock spring to tune vehicle balance (ski pressure and weight transfer).
  3. Adjust shock clickers (if equipped) to tune ride quality (stiffer or softer ride).
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 rear spring to tune vehicle balance.
After riding the snowmobile, you should be able to determine if the snowmobile needs more “bite” or needs to be more “lite”. If the steering needs more “bite”, increase the rear track spring preload or decrease the front track spring preload.
If you prefer your snowmobile has lighter steering, decrease the rear track spring preload or increase the front track shock spring preload.
At the front of the snowmobile, if you prefer a taller ride height, increase the front suspension shock spring preload settings. Likewise, if you prefer your snowmobile has a lower ride height, you can decrease the front suspension shock spring preload settings.
Step 3: Adjust shock clickers for ride quality.
You can adjust the shock clickers to control bottoming and adjust ride comfort. Turning a clicker counter-clockwise decreases damping for a softer ride. Turning a clicker clockwise increases damping for a stiffer ride and less bottoming.
NOTICE
Always adjust the clicker at least one click below full stiff (full clockwise) or shock damage will 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.

Ride Experience Table

Ride Experience

Adjustment

Too “LITE”

  • Ski pressure is too light
  • Skis push
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Increase rear track shock spring preload

OR

Decrease front track shock spring preload

Too much “BITE”

  • Ski pressure is too heavy
  • Steering is heavy
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Decrease rear track shock spring preload

OR

Increase front track shock spring preload

Front Suspension (IFS Shocks):

Too Stiff

Too Soft

(IFS Shocks)

Turn clickers 2 clicks SOFT

Turn clickers 2 clicks HARD

Ride Comfort Under Feet (Front Track Shock):

Too Stiff

Too Soft

(Front Track Shock)

Turn clicker 2 clicks SOFT

Turn clicker 2 clicks HARD

Rear Suspension (Rear Track Shock):

Too Stiff

Too Soft

(Rear Track Shock)

Turn clicker 2 clicks SOFT

Turn clicker 2 clicks HARD

Shock Locations

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Rear Track Shock

Front Track Shock

Independent Front Shock (IFS)

Independent Front Suspension (IFS)

Front (IFS) Shock Adjustments

NOTE
Independent Front Suspension (IFS) shocks vary depending on model and available features.

PRO-S MODELS (if equipped)

Image
  

PRO-S MODELS (if equipped)

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High Speed Adjustment

Low Speed Adjustment

Front Suspension (IFS) Factory Spring Settings

Spring Setting

Model

Spring Rate

Preload (Factory Setting

Preload (Minimum Setting)

Preload (Maximum Setting)

Spring
PN

lb/in

N/mm

in

cm

in

cm

in

cm

  

SWITCHBACK
PRO-S

80

14

2-1/2

6.4

2-1/2

6.4

3-1/2

8.9

7043732

SWITCHBACK XCR

100

17.5

2–3/4

7

2–3/8

6

3–1/2

8.9

7041576
caution
Never exceed the minimum/maximum spring preload settings. Always remove the vehicle weight from the spring prior to making adjustments.

Front Suspension (IFS) Factory Clicker Settings

Model

Clicker Setting

(from full soft)

All PRO-S Models

3

SWITCHBACK XCR

High Speed: 4

Low Speed: 7

Front Track Suspension (FTS)

Front Track Shock Adjustments

Image

Front Track Shock Factory Spring Settings

Spring Setting

Model

Spring Rate

Preload (Factory Setting)

Preload (Minimum Setting)

Preload (Maximum Setting)

Spring
PN

lb/in

N/mm

in

cm

in

cm

in

cm

SWITCHBACK
PRO-S

95-280

16.6-49

1-1/2

3.8

1-1/2

3.8

1.85

4.7

7043957

SWITCHBACK
XCR

95–300

26

1

2.54

3/4

1.9

1.625

4.1

7044794
caution
Never exceed the minimum/maximum spring preload settings. Always remove the vehicle weight from the spring prior to making adjustments.

Front Track Shock Factory Clicker Settings

Model

Clicker Setting

(from full soft)

All PRO-S Models

3

SWITCHBACK XCR

 High Speed - 4
Low Speed - 7

Rear Track Suspension (RTS)

Rear Track Shock Adjustments

NOTE
Rear track shocks vary depending on model and available features.
PRO-S MODELS (if equipped)  
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S-MODELS (if equipped)  
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High Speed Adjustment

Low Speed Adjustment

Rear Track Shock Factory Spring Settings

Spring Setting

Model

Spring Rate

Preload (Factory Setting)

Preload (Minimum Setting)

Preload (Maximum Setting)

lb/in

N/mm

in

cm

in

cm

in

cm

SWITCHBACK
PRO-S

130*

23

2.625

6.7

1.875

4.8

3.125

7.9

SWITCHBACK
XCR

130

23

2.625

6.7

1.875

4.8

3.125

7.9

SWITCHBACK PRO-S stock spring: Recommended for riders up to 280 lbs. (127 kg)

OPTIONAL HD spring: Recommended for riders 280-350 lbs. (127-160 kg) or OPTIONAL for aggressive riders over 200 lbs. (91 kg)

*OPTIONAL HD spring is the PRO-X spring 7043160-293 (RED), 7043160-133 (WHITE), 7043160-067 (BLACK)

PRO-S (Heavy)

150

26

2.625

6.7

1.875

4.8

3.125

7.9
caution
Never exceed the minimum/maximum spring preload settings. Always remove the vehicle weight from the spring prior to making adjustments.

Rear Track Shock Factory Clicker Settings

Model

Clicker Setting
(from full soft)

All PRO-S Models 3
SWITCHBACK XCR High Speed 4
Low Speed 7

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

    Lock Nut

    16 ft-lbs (21 N·m)

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