Anybody running Zbro X0 front shocks on XM??

[907to406]

Picked up my 2014 XM and decided the only thing I was going to do to it besides braces and a can was suspension. Got a good deal on Tom's Emotion kit for the rear and called up Zbro's to get some front shocks. Placed my order via phone and specified my weight, riding style and no sway bar (245-250lbs ready to ride with aggressive riding style, boondocking, jumps under 100ft and drops no bigger than 30ft). Guy taking the order says no problem.

Get the shocks and they look awesome but can't help but notice they seem a little soft (could compress shock about 2 inches just by pushing down on them) I figure I'd bolt them up and see how the sled sat. Get them on and with just the weight of the sled alone the shocks sag about 2 inches, with me on them they sag another 1-1.5 inches, with me standing on one running board the shock is bottomed out/sitting on the bump stop. Granted this is on the garage floor but I'm pretty sure this isn't going to work.

I contact Zbros and tell them the story and they say hmm that seems odd they should be really close? but have me send them back and see what they can do for me. I send the shocks back and they re spring them and get them back to me. The new springs (were 145's and are now 160's) so again I do the ol compression test and can get the shock to compress about an inch and a half but they do feel stiffer by a little. Bolt them up to the sled and let the sled down on the ground and again sags about 1.5-2 inches with just the sled alone. With me on the sled they sag about another inch and again can bottom them out with ease when standing on one running board. I haven't gotten to talk to Zbros since I tried the shocks out again but I'm sure they will be nothing but friendly and helpful as they have been through this whole process.

I guess what my question is does anybody else have these shocks and if so how much sag are you getting and how easy is it to bottom them out? I can't even get the stock shocks to come close to bottoming out on the 3rd setting. Also if anybody has these shocks and are close to my size what bottom/main spring are you using? Should I keep trying to get these dialed in or should I just go with a pair of float evols or raptors?

Sorry about the long post and thanks for any insight.

 

[duckfarmer]

why don't you try the stock shocks out and measure the sag

 

[355v8s15]

I put some on my 14 too. I'm 200lbs and sprung them for 200, and I don't think I can bottom them out. I'll test it out how you did and let you know. I tried a sled last year that had them that were wayyy lighter sprung (150lbs) and I didn't bottom them out. Only thing I would suggest is to wait for the snow and ride it!

 

[907to406]

If you could check the number on the spring (mine was written on the bottom of the spring in a whitish silver ink). I have thought oh maybe I should just ride it and see how it does but in all honesty if I can bottom it out just by standing on it in the garage how is it even going to make it off the trailer let alone down the trail at 30-50mph through 2-3 foot whoops?

Here are some pictures:

The first picture is of the shock with the sled flat on the floor and only the weight of the sled. As you can see roughly 5 inches of shaft still exposed.

The second and third picture is of me standing on the sled, feet on both running boards in a natural stance on the sled. roughly 1-1.5 inches of shaft exposed.

Then the 4th picture is of me standing only on one side of the sled/one running board and as you can see the shock is riding on the bump stop.

Is this how this is suppose to be? if so then my ride height is almost 3-4 inches lower when I'm on the sled over stock shocks.

Ok its telling me I currently can't upload pictures since the server is too busy I'll get them up when I can. My roommate posted them for me below. As you can see I really don't think these are right or will work at all... I'm also worried that if I did just ride them that not only would they be terrible but would also cause damage to my sled.

 

[bart0678]

Pictures for Trent

X0 pics

 

[big air crash]

There is no way that looks correct. I would send those pics to zbros!

 

[norsepeak]

are you running the sway bar or not? That makes a difference too. If you have them sprung for sway bar, and then dis-connect the sway bar, they will be way under sprung. If you are going to run without sway bar, you need to spring them for that.

 

[907to406]

Yes, I specified to Zbros that I was running without a swaybar as I also stated in the first paragraph of my original post.

 

[Beard Boy]

Pre load first please.

I know with the Exit shocks (Zbroz) you get them at there softest setting. This allows you to add pre load to change the rate of progression of the triple rate spring package. With a normal single spring a 1/4" does almost nothing but with a triple rate you will feel way more. Try adding 2 clips of pre load and testing them on the snow before you shop tune. I know Jorlie Ricker (Forcast films) from Canada and he runs a 160 main but had to add 2-4 clips of pre load. Loves them and he is a pretty serious rider.
Try the preload first and hit the snow, I'm sure they will send other springs if you are unhappy after trying that and hitting the snow with them.
Also there bump stop is 3 times as long as the stock crappy rubber thing so you still have some travel before bottoming and the bumper is made that way so its progressive at bottoming,

 

[Zbroz Racing]

Good Info guys

I'm with Beard boy here you get them on the softest setting spring wise. I know we bumped the top tender spring up one and also the main spring, this increased the initial rate by 10lbs but when you add pre load it will boost the progression quite a bit. Try it first and if you feel its too soft for you then we can go more.
Also that shock only has 5" of stroke so our bumper takes up like 35% of the stroke so its deceiving in the shop. It will however give you a great bottom out feel that will never feel sharp like the stock rubber jounce.

 

[ROKRIG]

Wow, I'm glad you posted this up as I'm about to pull the trigger on the XO's. I'm not sure how long the threaded collar is but it looks like you definitely have quite a bit more preload adjustment by turning the top spring retainer further down the collar.

 

[ROKRIG]

Nate, if I'm at about 260lbs w/ gear, what would you recommend for each of the springs on the XO's? I'd like to place an order that will be correct the first time. And how long is the threaded portion of the adjustment collar?

Terry

 

[snopro11]

Definately love my exit x1s front and rear, had them set up like cameron chimentis fr om 3c guiding!

 

[Zbroz Racing]

Info

Biggest thing is knowing your weight with gear and then letting us know if you want to run a sway bar or not. We will get it right for you. We have learned a lot more the last yr on these XMs and I know it will make you happy.

 

[907to406]

ROKRIG, I cannot say enough about how great the guys at Zbroz have been and wouldn't think twice about dealing with them. They are easy to get a hold of and know what they are talking about. I have 2 or 3 clip positions left, I will move the clip down and see where that puts me. Still just seems real soft in comparison to other front shocks I've had in the past. I'm not concerned about Zbroz making me happy with these shocks just was curious if anybody else has these and are around my size and what they are seeing for ride height and shock stroke.

 

[ROKRIG]

Yep, Nate's been very helpful. I just need to make sure I get my weight correct I guess. Where's that scale?

 

[BOHICA]

I got my front end put back together today with a set of new XO's. Set up for 260lbs, I can pull it up on one ski in the garage and get it about a 1/2 in from the bump stop. Even on the concrete floor the difference between the feel of the stockers and the XO's is noticeable. The sled pulls up on one ski easier and seems to balance better at any angle. Should have it on the snow in the next couple of days, can't wait. BTW ZBROZ's customer service is top notch.
Mark

 

[907to406]

So heres the latest, moved the clip as far down as it can go on both shocks and when I lay the sled over on the side (mind you this is still in the garage with the pipe and hood off and no gear for whatever thats worth) I have about a 1/4 inch of shaft showing and if I put any effort into it can get it to hit the bump stop with ease. Still not sure if this is the way its meant to be (unlike any shocks that I've had before). Would be a little more comfortable if I had more room for adjustment/not maxed out on my pre load. Just worried this isn't going to be stiff enough for when I need it. Will try to log a couple miles on some logging roads this weekend and see how it feels and go from there.

 

[ROKRIG]

Just placed an order for the X1 triple rate fronts w/ compression adjust and the X1 rear. Setting up for 270 lbs w/ gear, Sway bar connected, and big mountain riding style. My sled: 2013 Summit X (XM 154)

Who's excited? This guy

 

[ROKRIG]