Shock Setup Note: The information below will only work with suspension that has been setup by G T Thunder and has the correct extended shock length with the correct wheel travel. Thank you for choosing GT Thunder for your shock work. Please take the time to read through this shock setup sheet and follow instructions to ensure the best possible performance. 1.
Carefully install your suspension components.
2.
Measure your rear race sag.
3.
Measure your race ride height in the rear.
4.
Set your race ride height in the front.
5.
Verify that you have the correct crossover gap in the front.
6.
Measure your front main spring length at race ride height.
1.
Carefully install your suspension components.
Please have a qualified and knowledgeable technician install your components checking for all the correct clearances and that all your suspension components are moving freely.
2.
Measure your race sag.
Place your quad on a stand that is tall enough so that your wheels are suspended off the ground and the rear suspension is fully extended. Now make a mark on the subframe or other suitable place straight up from the axle. Measure from the axle up to the mark. Next set the quad on the ground and stand on the foot pegs and have someone measure from the axle to the mark again. The difference in the 2 measurements is your race sag. We run 4-5 inches depending on the application and the rider. You can make small adjustments to this by turning your preload nut 2-3 turns and you can make large adjustments by install stiffer or softer springs. Recommended race sag: Race Sag 4-5” 4” For Very Aggressive Rider 4.5” For Intermediate and Correct Riders 5” For the Gentle Riders A Stiffer Spring will give you less race sag and more bottoming resistance
A Softer Spring will give you more race sag and less bottoming resistance 3.
Measure your race ride height in the rear.
Make sure your quad is race ready with tire pressures set and anything else that will affect the height. Then stand on the foot pegs and have someone measure to the bottom of the frame in the foot peg area. 4.
Set your race ride height in the front.
Now measure your front ride height 22 inches forward of the foot peg area and adjust the front ride height up and down by adjusting the preload on the front shocks till the front is 0 - 3/4 inch higher in the front for most applications. Feel free to contact us for exact settings for your quad. 5.
Verify that you have the correct crossover gap in the front.
Your crossover gap is the distance between the crossover and what ever it contacts as you move further down in the travel. The gap needs to be checked at race ride height. It needs to be 3/16 - ½ inch. The smaller the gap the stiffer the ride and the better the cornering. The larger the gap the plusher the ride. The crossover gap can be adjusted by adding or changing crossover spacers. 6.
Measure your front main spring length at race ride height.
Measure the front main spring length at race ride height. On a dual spring setup – 7 – 7 1/8 inches is a good balance of plush ride and good cornering. If the length is less you will need to install stiffer front springs. If it is longer then that you need to install softer front springs. Notes: 1.
2.
Feel free to adjust the compression adjusters to your liking but do not run them fully closed as it will cause a harsh sensation and can damage chassis components due to pressure spikes. We set your rebound for you –PLEASE do not change it .
3.
Shock covers on the front shocks are needed to avoid main seal damage, shaft damage, and crossover sticking.
4.
If you have any questions, need any assistance, or want changes made to your shocks – I need all the measurements from steps 1-6.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, NEED ANY ASSISTANCE, OR WANT CHANGES MADE TO YOUR SHOCKS – I NEED ALL THE MEASUREMENTS FROM STEPS 1-6. If you have any other brand of shock, or your shocks were converted by someone else - The first thing you need to do is to verify that the shocks are the correct
length - if not they need to be repaired before any of the previous info is applicable. To verify that your shocks are the correct length for your application – this can be done by sitting your quad on 12 inch stands. Then checking your tire relationship to the ground. Feel free to email or fax us with your specific application and we can give you a recommendation. Here are a few basic setups. Honda XC – Rear tires should touch the ground and front tires should be about ½ inch off the ground. MX – Rear tires should touch if the back of the quad is lifted ¼ inch off the stands and the fronts should touch the ground. Yamaha XC – Rear tires should have 1/8 inch gap or just touch the ground and the front tires should touch the ground. MX – Rear tires should touch the ground and the front tires should touch if the front of the quad is lifted ¼ inch off the stands. How often should a shock be serviced?? To keep any shock performing good for a long time it needs to be serviced and cleaned periodically. How often it is needed depends on how extreme the shocks are used how serious a rider is about keeping their suspension in top condition. Example: Pro – Every National Amateur racer – 2-3 times per season Trail and general riding – Every 6 months