I have a 2002 ZR800 C/C. On the second day of my last ride I noticed the read end sagging and it rode like sh$%. I dealt with it the last 2 days of our trip. I maxed out the clicker and crankedup the front shock to help a bit. When we left I pulled out the skid to bring home (left our sleds at the cabin). Took to my dealer (figured the shocks needed rebuilding). Also notice the bottom front shock bar was bent bad. He just called to say springs and shocks are fine, I had too much ski pressure and that caused it. I said it was sagging before I cranked up the front. He everything checked out fine. I bought an extra set of rear springs to take with just in case. What do you guys think? Could it just be the springs or he is right? (I do run with my limiter strap almost all the way out and the front shock spring retainer up about 2/3)
Thanks for any input.

Remember the shocks have nothing to do with ride height. The springs and the design of the skid frame determine your ride height. If you did not change the adjustments of the skid, limiters or shock spring tension there must be something wrong. I am guessing since you said that you had bent components you will also find that other components are not in spec. You also may have collapsed your coil spring etc. My buddy just had the exact same problem. He had collapsed springs and bent parts. I don't know why the dealer didn't fix it. Over and over these dealers just either don't care or are completely incompetent.
Good luck

replacing your rear springs should take care of the trick. I replaced mine and the sag is gone

The springs are probably bad. That was the cause of the bent bar, if not while you have it apart change the springs anyway, they don't cost that much.

I am thinking the front bottom shock mount being bent caused the sagging. The dealer convinced me the shocks and springs were ok when I picked it up. Bought a set of springs just in case since we'll be 50 iles from closest dealer when I go up tomorrow.

Sagging rear end? That happens as you get older! :lmao:

Without the skid frame in the sled how would a dealer check for the springs being bad?? They would have to have some type of press with a pressure gage . My guess would be the back springs also , the stock springs may hay been to soft for your weight and got weeker over time. I would think the dealer would have said you need new springs anyways to make a sale ecspecially the way this winter is going. :thumbsup: SWRules

The springs were upgraded to the next size heaver from stock at 1200 miles. The sled has 4000 on it now. How long do the rear springs usually last? I have ridden some pretty nasty trails in those 2800 miles.

Well for one, How much was it sagging. What was it sitting on. Was it on pavement, snow, roller dollies? This all makes a difference. Mine will sag a lot of times about an inch or two. But you pull it up and it stays up. But it all depends on where it is sitting because of the coupled suspension.
If you already added heavy springs. I say your probably still good. I still run originals at 7000 + miles.

As far as settings. Little confused on your settings.
Shock rebuilds. How often do you rebuild them. Should be done around every 2000 miles after the first one at around 700.
ALso, did he replace the bent bar?

Yes bent parts were replaced. I rebuilt them at the beginning of this season, only about 1000 miles on them. It was on hardpack, sagged and whould not return after sitting on it. You could pull it up but then would go back down about 1/2 of the amount you picked it up. We are leaving tonight so I will know soon enough. Taking new set of springs just in case.

Move the rear arm back a hole and turn the springs to high.
Unless your mounted under the running boards the sled will sag, better known as fall out! Some say there sleds drop as much as 2". Mine only drops about an inch, but it is set up very stiff!!

Thanks ZR Rider. I'll give that a try.

Had the same problem on my 01 panther. you said your limiter straps were all the way out we found the we being a realy good mechanic and myself found that if the limiter straps were adjusted all the way up to increase ski pressure for better steering. and at the same time I had turned the front springs to close to the max setting for ski pressure. I had develeped the symptoms you describe. we set the supension so It would not sag and I tried diferent settings until I could find a happy medium I still have about an inch of sagg but the sled handles a lot better. Most of the setting adjustments are found in the manuel. Hope this helps. I also found since mine is the two up sled It actually rides better with the helper springs locked in and two people rideing. does not steer as well with two people but the ride is better. hmmmm maybe I should add 100 lbs of weight.....

Originally posted by alindazip@Feb 18 2005, 12:38 PM
Had the same problem on my 01 panther.* you said your limiter straps were all the way out* we found the we being a realy good mechanic and myself found that if the limiter straps were adjusted all the way up to increase ski pressure for better steering.* and at the same time I had turned the front springs to close to the max setting for ski pressure.* I had develeped the symptoms you describe.* we set the supension so It would not sag and I tried diferent settings until I could find a happy medium* I still have about an inch of sagg but the sled handles a lot better.* Most of the setting adjustments are found in the manuel.* Hope this helps.* I also found since mine is the two up sled It actually rides better with the helper springs locked in and two people rideing.* does not steer as well with two people but the ride is better.* hmmmm maybe I should add 100 lbs of weight.....
403374

I just added rear springs to my 93 Pantera 2 up for $26 Cdn./spring. It was not returning up after sitting on sled. It was dropping about 7 inches when sitting on the sled. Now the sled only drops 2 inches. At the time I noticed the rear shock is gone, but had no time to replace yet. I am sure when the shock is replaced it might only drop about 1 inch like that 2005 Pantera I sat on in the show room. It might handle a little better too as I don't like that bounce effects when steering. I weigh in at 250 lbs. I also have the overload leaf springs set up for having a double rider. It is also set the triagular looking rear adjusting spring blocks adjusted to maximum or position 3.