I have a 98 FIII 600 with 5700 miles on it. I have never touched the shocks. It seems to ride good, but I just may be used to it, my brothers MXZ 500 with the SC-10 (1998 as well) seems to be more resistant to bottoming, How do I test them? It appears they are the non rebuildable HPG type, what would you guys replace them with? I am not a ditch banger, I ride almost exclusively groomed trails, that get rough sometimes however! Just looking to put my list together for next year!

Your shocks will gradually lose effectiveness in time so it is tough to tell if they are bad because of the gradual change.My dealer said they should be changed at 3000 miles.Put some new ones on and you will notice the change.That is ninety nine and three quarter percent guaranteed. http://www.snowmobileworld-s2.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Thanks MXZ7.

I would think that with the shocks out of the suspension, that if the nitogen charge was still effective, the rod would push back out after being pushed into the shock body. If the rebound stroke seems "draggy' or erratic, it's time for new ones.