Squeaky front shock

[LarryD]

Is anyone else having issues with front shock noise? My right front is squeaking, and I've been told the dealer can recharge them. Hopefully they can as a new assembly is over $1100, and it is just out of warranty.

Thanks

 

[JTBarlow]

That would depend on the dealer. Not all of them have the required equipment.

Also depends on what the problem is with the shock. If it’s squeaky because of a factory defect, the dealer can try for a “goodwill” warranty replacement from Polaris. If it’s been heavily used or damaged, your best bet is to find a local shop that specializes in shocks and get them to rebuild it, which would cost less than buying a new one.

Also curious… are you sure it’s the shock? The suspension bushings can sometimes become squeaky.

 

[BADXP]

It could be the spring divider riding on the shock body. My factory ones squeaked badly when dusty or dirty.

 

[LarryD]

That would depend on the dealer. Not all of them have the required equipment.

Also depends on what the problem is with the shock. If it’s squeaky because of a factory defect, the dealer can try for a “goodwill” warranty replacement from Polaris. If it’s been heavily used or damaged, your best bet is to find a local shop that specializes in shocks and get them to rebuild it, which would cost less than buying a new one.

Also curious… are you sure it’s the shock? The suspension bushings can sometimes become squeaky.

No I'm not positive on the bushing. I have sprayed WD alongside the mount and tried to get some to penetrate, but no luck. I had planned on compressing the coil, removing the strut and see for sure if it is the shock.
Is there a recommended spray that might penetrate or best to remove and grease it up?

 

[JTBarlow]

I definitely don’t recommend WD40. It’s a Water Dispersant/Solvent not a lubricant. Even their lubricant (as labeled) isn’t very good.
A good, standard, petroleum grease is ok or a lithium based lubricant is better.

The shock bushings have a plastic keeper ring holding the sleeve in and you can pop that off with a flat screwdriver and slide the bushing sleeve out to lubricate it. The suspension arms have metal caps and sleeves inside a plastic bushing. They shouldn’t require lubrication. The plastic used in the bushing is essentially self-lubricating. However, when the bushing gets worn out, it can cause the end caps to rub on the eye of the arm and cause squeaking. In which case the bushing needs replaced. On a new machine, where the bushings can’t reasonably be worn out, I’d check that the bolts are fully torqued down. There shouldn’t be any rotation of the end caps, bolt or bolt sleeve, so all the wear is on the plastic bushing.

Also. The a-arm end caps have an o-ring and the shocks have a seal, so any spray lubricants aren’t likely to get in to the parts that would need lubricated.

 

[LarryD]

JT Barlow, thanks a million. I'll be giving this a try tomorrow