Exit shock set up
Glad everyone is chiming in helping out here but I think its still a simple case of misunderstanding how we set up the shocks. First please don't add any nitrogen to the Reseviour or air for that matter. This will do nothing for what you are talking about. Follow the set up instructions.
Triple rate springs combos are very different than your stock spring, we use a combination of springs to give the shock a tunable progressive spring combination. We send them to you at there softest spring setting or nearly as soft as they will go. I couldn't tell from the photo but it looks like you have taken your sway bar off? This is just fine but realize you need to add spring pre load to compensate for the sway bar being gone. If it is still there you will still need to add some pre load. The biggest misconception with a shock that feels soft in the shop is that it will be too soft on the trail. This may be true with some single rated shocks or shocks that don't use a valving system like we do. The problem with (shop tuning) is that it doesn't take into account the progressive nature of the springs and more obvious in the photo the low and high speed valving. Our shocks have a high flow piston with a velocity sensitive valving stack. When your swaying in the shop the shock is maybe moving a few inches per second. When on the trail or at speed your shock will move at excess of 30-40 inches per second. This engages a whole different set of valving which will increase resistance exponentially. The beauty of this system is the plushness in stutter bumps but valving that will catch you in a large bump.
Also the spring pre load is about 3-4 times as sensitive when compared to a single spring. For example 1/4" with our spring combo is like 3/4" on a single spring. The reason this is possible is the triple rate combo with fixed crossover points. When pre load is added it will create more initial rate as well as force the crossover points sooner and increasing bottoming resistance substantially.
Check out the basic set up instructions here and call me after you make some adjustments and let me know how it works on snow.
Regards
Exit shock basic set up and tuning instructions for snowmobile ski shocks
1. You have purchased a custom built shock based on the information you provided. We have set the shock up based on this information but there are still some adjustments that will need to be made on the snow based on your preferences.
2. Zbroz Racing / Exit brand of ski shocks come with either dual or triple rate spring combinations. These combinations are much more sensitive to spring pre load adjustment. Spring pre-load is determined by measuring the total spring package length with no weight on the machine or with the shock fully extended. (Factory settings vary but are roughly 1 or 2 clip positions) Do not worry about how many clip positions are visible above the top spring this does not matter. Simply know that when you get your shocks they will have 1-2 clips of preload already. This is by design so you can add spring preload as needed.
3. Do not shop tune. Our internal shock Valving is velocity sensitive and the springs are progressive in nature due to the dual or triple rate combinations. This allows the shock to begin soft but ramp up on both damping and spring rate depending on shaft speed and shaft position.
4. To Change Spring pre load. Take the weight off the sled with a jack, or by rolling the sled to one side while on the snow. This allows the shock to be at full extension, and will make it easier to adjust. Pull down on the top tender spring hardware, and it will reveal a C clip that can be moved down to add spring pre load. Remember 1 or 2 clip positions at a time would be a recommended adjustment. Each clip position adds .100” of pre-load. Your spring package will then be compressed that much more forcing earlier cross over points and more bottoming resistance. 1or2 clips will be noticeable on snow.
5. Your first adjustment should always be spring pre load even if you have a compression knob or clicker (Found on X1 and X2 Exit models) 1 or 2 clip positions will make a big difference in how the shock performs. Once you find that desired spring pre load setting, you can now fine tune for trail conditions with the compression clicker knob.
6. To adjust your compression clicker knob, simply twist clockwise to increase dampening or counter clockwise to decrease dampening. There is 24 Clicks of adjustment. Factory setting of this adjuster is 18 clicks from fully closed. If you loose track of where you are, close the knob completely (clockwise) and count the clicks out to 18 again.
7. Finding a good typical bump section is the best place to tune. Remember adjust spring preload first then if you have a compression clicker knob fine tune from there.
For further information please feel free to call 435 753 7774.
