Snowmobile Polaris 340 Edge / 550 LX (2008 year). Instruction - part 7

 

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Snowmobile Polaris 340 Edge / 550 LX (2008 year). Instruction - part 7

 

 

28

THE PERFECT FIT

Front Suspension Adjustments

Independent Front Suspension (IFS)

Break in the suspension for about 150 miles (240 km) before making 

any fine-tuning adjustments. 

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. After each adjustment, the machine should be 

methodically tested, one change at a time, under the same conditions 

(trail and snow conditions, vehicle speed, riding position, etc.), until the 

best ride is achieved.

IFS Components
1. Skis
2. Front shocks and springs
3. Rod ends
4. Trailing arms
IFS Adjustment Options
• Shock damping (if equipped 

with Indy Select shocks)

• Front shock spring preload
• Optional springs
• Toe (ski alignment) (see 

page 102)

• Camber (see your dealer)

2

3

4

1

29

THE PERFECT FIT

Front Suspension Adjustments

Independent Front Suspension (IFS)

For the best ride, the suspension should be adjusted to use the full travel 

of the shocks with occasional light bottoming. To determine if your 

machine is using full travel, push the jounce bumper down on the shock 

rod until it contacts the body and test ride the machine. The bumper will 

move up on the rod in relation to the amount of travel that was used dur-

ing the ride. If the travel is full, the bumper will be seated at the top of 

the rod.

Shock Components

The front springs can be changed if spring 

preload alone isn't sufficient and further 

adjustment is desired to control suspension 

stiffness. See your Polaris dealer for more 

information.
1. Retainer
2. Shock Rod
3. Jounce Bumper
4. Body
5. Threaded Spring Preload Adjuster Nut

WARNING

Always verify ski alignment before making adjustments to the IFS. See page 

102 to check alignment. If the skis are misaligned, see your dealer, as the 

camber adjustment may also be affected.

2

3

4

5

1

30

THE PERFECT FIT

Front Suspension Adjustments

Shock Damping (Indy Select Shock)

Adjustments to the compression stiff-

ness of Indy Select shocks can be 

made by turning the adjustment screw 

located near the base of the shock (+). 

This adjustment is the easiest to per-

form and it should be considered first.

The factory setting for this shock is the 

softest position, with the adjusting 

screw all the way out (counterclock-

wise). If bottoming occurs, the Indy 

Select feature should be used to 

achieve the desired ride. 

NOTE: An excessive adjustment can result in damage to the shock. 

When adjusting these shocks, we recommend that you turn the 

screw only 1/4 turn at a time, then test ride. 

• Turn the screw clockwise to increase compression and stiffen the ride. 
• Turn the screw counterclockwise to decrease compression and soften 

the ride.

• Always adjust both shocks equally.

Front Springs

For models without externally adjustable or revalvable shocks, the front 

springs can be changed if spring preload alone isn't sufficient and fur-

ther adjustment is desired to control suspension stiffness. See your 

Polaris dealer for more information.

+

31

THE PERFECT FIT

Front Suspension Adjustments

Spring Preload

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 increase front shock spring preload, 

grasp the spring and turn it to the right. 

Turn it to the left to decrease preload.

Increasing the spring preload too much 

may adversely affect the handling of the 

snowmobile and the performance of the 

suspension. Never exceed one inch of 

preload beyond the factory settings, and 

ensure that both sides are adjusted the 

same. When decreasing preload, make sure at least two turns of preload 

are holding the spring between the retainer on top of the shock and the 

threaded spring preload adjuster nut on the shock body.

NOTE: Not all models have shocks with thread adjustable spring pre-

load. See your dealer for more information. 

CAUTION

Always leave one thread showing above the adjuster nut. On models 

equipped with a plastic adjuster nut, if the nut is unscrewed from the 

threaded body, the nut will break.

Low

Preload

High

Preload

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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