Heavy Duty Front end Springs

Ramrod · 2008-09-27 08:26:30

Does anybody have any experience changing out the front springs on a Polaris Ranger? With the winch in the front and the lock and ride windshield, roof, and cab back, the front end squats down a bit with the front springs being depressed more than normal. I purchased a set of H/D springs (preload @ 144 lbs instead of 124 lbs) which should do the trick. They came with no instructions and I'm a little hesitant to just start pulling stuff apart up on the front end.. Any help out there??
Bill

RANGERDALEXP · 2008-09-27 10:06:01

It is just like replaceing struts on a car, You will need a strut spring compressor tool or something you can come up with to compress the spring.

1. you will hold the strut rod and remove the top nut
2. compress the spring using the compressor tool.
3. remove the upper strut pivot assembly.
4. remove the coil spring and repeat everything in reverse.
5. You may want to check the static alignment after you install this because it will sit about an inch higher.

you should be able to get the spring compressor tool at a pep boys, harbor freight or any auto parts store. this only works on rangers up to 2008.

acad54 · 2008-09-27 17:22:37

You don't need the compression tool if you have 2 people. Polaris use to ship new 4 wheelers with the springs off and with 2 people we could get them on pretty quick.

RANGERDALEXP · 2008-09-27 17:44:06

You can do that but the tools are cheap now and could save you from a knuckel busting :shock: .

Ramrod · 2008-09-27 20:26:42

Guy, my problem is I don't know the terminology well. What is the upper strut pivot assembly?
I removed the top of the shock from the upper mount, but felt like I couldn't swing out the shock and spring assembly far enough to remove the nut on the top of the shock that holds the spring compressed. I have never done any mechanic work on the front end of a car or an ATV so, I'm sort of like Ned and the first reader here.
How high do I jack the front end of the Ranger. I was afraid that the axles would come out of the differential as I was warned of this in some other instructions that I've seen. If I jack up the front end, loosen the struts where they go through the frame mounts, then pull the top of the strut spring assembly away from the upper mount to loosen the top spring retainer nut, won't the spring come off when I remove the nut at the top of the shock? I don't see where I will have enough clearance to lift the spring up off the top of the shock. Do I need to remove the floor to the front storage area?
I know you guys are trying, but pretend I'm just a dumb ass when it comes to mechanic work on the front end of a vehicle. I've never done it before and I don't want to have my Ranger stuck in the driveway, unable to move it because I screwed up.
Thanks for any additional explanation you can give.

RANGERDALEXP · 2008-09-27 23:13:01

This may be a little to involved for someone without a automotive mechanical background but here it goes, I hope it helps :!:

O.k. You need to jack the front end up high enough to let the ends of the struts just show outside of the fender wells when you remove the nut that holds the strut to the body and the other hardware, do one side at a time and also make sure you remove the wheels, this well help before you start, there should be enough give to allow access to the springs but only go as fare as needed and if necessary pop of the tie rod ends, I think there is enough room on the brake lines but it has been a while, if not remove the calipers, make sure before you move forward from here that you remove all the spring tension with the spring compressor, the second nut and spacer which is a ½ x20 holds the bottom pivot ball on, then there is a spring retainer that is removed then remove the spring, Install everything in reverse order, on the link it will show the parts names and the order they go on for reference. I hope this is helpful. you will need to goto oem parts and enter the info on your machine to pull up your diagrams,
http://www.polarispartshouse.com/

RANGERDALEXP · 2008-09-29 21:44:55

I would assume all went well or you gave up, Let us know :?:

Ramrod · 2008-09-30 07:32:16

Thank you guys for all the help. With the advise I received here and on the Polaris Ranger Forum, I was able to get the springs installed without the use of a spring compressor. The secret is jacking up the front end until the wheels are about 3" off the ground. You then release the top of the shock from the frame mounting brackets and remove the spring retainer nut and washer located at the top of the shock There are two bolts, one at the top and one nearer the bottom, on the strut holding the bottom of the shock in the strut. If you loosen those bolts, you can lift the shock out of the strut while the top of the strut goes up through the mounting hole in the frame bracket. Once the bottom of the shock clears the top of the strut, you can remove the shock and spring assembly very easily. Now all you have to do is slide the original spring off the top of the shock and replace it with the new H/D spring. Reverse the order to reinstall.
If anybody needs to do this, don't let the job intimidate you in the beginning like it did me. The real eye opening assist was the removal of the shock from the strut by loosening the two bolts in the strut and taking the shock out of the strut. Now that this is done, I may order a 2" lift kit and do it all over again, this time installing the lift washers.

Thanks again for all the advise. You guys have been terrific. If anybody needs any help doing this, please don't hesitate to ask me. The whole process is very fresh in my mind..

RANGERDALEXP · 2008-09-30 10:10:04

you are welcome and that was a cleaver way to do it buy pulling the spring through the bottom while the shock is pulled to the top, Most people normally do it when the strut is out of the vehicle, this is good info, If you do the 2 inch lift you must realign the front end when completed. you need to remember that as well.

Ramrod · 2008-09-30 12:47:11

I think I will wait to see how the vehicle handles at my hunting lease this year. I bottomed out last year on a couple of rocks as I came out of a dip; however, I had a pertty good load in the Ranger and the front end squated pretty badly with the stock springs. Now that I have the stiffer springs, I don't think I'll have that problem. With the new springs, I have right at 10" ground clearance,measure at the lowest point of the chassis just in front of the front wheels.

RANGERDALEXP · 2008-09-30 13:58:45

Remember they sell a heavy duty spring set for the rear as well and that will really help with carrying loads in the bed, They are a lot easier to install then the front was and i think it would be worth your time to do it as well.

Ramrod · 2008-09-30 20:24:25

What I did with the rear is to turn the preload adjusters up to the second to last notch. It raised the back by about 3/4" and the ride seemed to be a little firmer. I will keep the springs in mind if I notice the rear end being smashed down too much when I put 300 pounds of deer corn in the back.
Thanks again for all the help and information.
Regards,
Bill

RANGERDALEXP · 2008-09-30 22:05:07

Just incase you need the part numbers they are made by EPI and the number is WE321500 for the rear, they are 250# preload springs. also the fronts are a tiny bit heavyer then the polaris springs and they are WE320020 at 145# verses 144#.

Badley · 2008-10-01 15:59:08

Great info/writeup guys! Too bad I don't own a Ranger needing springs

#1 2008-09-27 08:26:30

Re: Heavy Duty Front end Springs

#2 2008-09-27 10:06:01

Re: Heavy Duty Front end Springs

#3 2008-09-27 17:22:37

Re: Heavy Duty Front end Springs

#4 2008-09-27 17:44:06

Re: Heavy Duty Front end Springs

#5 2008-09-27 20:26:42

Re: Heavy Duty Front end Springs

#6 2008-09-27 23:13:01

Re: Heavy Duty Front end Springs

#7 2008-09-29 21:44:55

Re: Heavy Duty Front end Springs

#8 2008-09-30 07:32:16

Re: Heavy Duty Front end Springs

#9 2008-09-30 10:10:04

Re: Heavy Duty Front end Springs

#10 2008-09-30 12:47:11

Re: Heavy Duty Front end Springs

#11 2008-09-30 13:58:45

Re: Heavy Duty Front end Springs

#12 2008-09-30 20:24:25

Re: Heavy Duty Front end Springs

#13 2008-09-30 22:05:07

Re: Heavy Duty Front end Springs

#14 2008-10-01 15:59:08

Re: Heavy Duty Front end Springs

Board footer