Among the things the Kawasaki Teryx is known for is its seamless adaptiveness to various types of terrain. This versatile ATV achieves this through state-of-the-art machinery and different suspension adjustment options, which you can achieve with just a few simple steps.
You can adjust your suspensions by taking the shock out of your Teryx and adjusting the spring length according to your preferences. Compression levels may also be adjusted by turning the knob found on the shock.
This article explains how you can perform a preload adjustment, crossover adjustment, and damping adjustments to ensure that your Teryx provides optimal functionality and comfort.
1. Complete The Suspension Break-In Period
You shouldn’t get too excited to play with your Teryx just yet, particularly if you’ve just bought it. Give the suspension its break-in period by taking it out for a few drives.
For the Teryx, the break-in period is the first 20 hours or the first 200 kilometers (124.74 miles), as stated in the owner’s manual (source).
2. Check for Suspension Damage
When you’ve finished acquainting yourself with your ride, check the suspension for damage. The suspension components are the following:
- Bushings
- Sleeves
- Bolts
- O-rings
- Knuckle joints
- Ball joints
- Control arms
- Bearings
- Stabilizers
Remember that you can’t be too liberal with your suspension adjustments. Always keep your ideas within the specifications in the owner’s manual or the available service manuals, which you can access here (source).
3. Identify Your Adjustment Purpose
Before adjusting the shocks on your Teryx, you must identify the type of terrain you will encounter most often, as this will affect your suspensions. Also, factor in the amount of weight your Teryx would normally carry, be it average cargo or passenger weight.
4. Jack Up Your Teryx’s Rear/Front End
Your Teryx’s weight will definitely compress your shocks and make it awkward for you to make adjustments. To save yourself time and labor, get a car jack and adjust it accordingly for your comfort and accessibility.
You can buy a car jack from most automotive stores.
5. Remove The Shock
To remove the shock from the Teryx, you may want to use a 17-millimeter (0.67 in) bolt extractor, which gets the nuts off the bolt reasonably quickly. Don’t be too quick to take the bolt out, however, as, by this time, the tires should be off the ground because of the car jack.
Take the tension off the bolt from where the suspension sags down by setting the jack down a little bit until you can quickly pull the bottom and top bolts out of the shock.
By this time, the shock will be free. Take out the shock and set it on a nearby flat surface.
6. Measure Your Shock’s Spring Length
Using a tape measure, measure the entire length of your shock’s spring. Hook the end of the metal tape measure to the top of the spring and measure the length to the bottom.
You should have with you your Teryx manual and compare the length according to the manual’s specifications.
The Teryx 1000 manual states that a length of 22.92 inches (58.22 cm) for the front end and 29.09 inches (73.89 cm) for the rear end corresponds to a weak spring force and is suitable for soft settings, light load, good road, and low speed.
On the contrary, a front end length of 22.37 inches (56.82 cm) and a rear end length of 28.54 inches (72.49 cm) correspond to a strong spring force and are suitable for hard settings, heavy loads, bad roads, and high speed.
Consult your Teryx model’s manual, however, as the specifications may differ per model.
7. Adjust The Spring Length Using A Spanner Wrench
At the top end of your spring are two black nuts, which you must adjust based on your preferred spring length. The top nut is called the lock nut, while the bottom is called the adjusting nut.
Loosen the lock nut to free up the adjusting nut. Afterward, get a spanner wrench and turn the adjusting nut until you reach your preferred spring length. The single-prong spanner wrench is for the rear shocks, while the double-prong wrench is for the front. Remember to tighten the lock nut afterward, as this will secure your adjustments.
Also, remember that the Kawasaki Teryx has four shocks. While it may be your choice to determine the front and rear end lengths of your springs, the left and right spring lengths must always be similar.
8. Measure The End To Crossover Length
If you look at your shock, you will notice that the spring is divided into two unequal parts. The shorter part’s job is to cater to your Teryx’s traction, while the longer part resists bottoming.
The part that divides the spring into two is called the crossover. Adjusting the crossover means finding the perfect balance between traction and bottoming resistance.
The two black nuts you see inside the spring and below the preload nuts are called the crossover nuts. The top crossover nut is the lock nut, while the bottom is the adjusting nut.
Much like in the spring preload adjustments, hook the end of your tape measure to the top of the spring and measure until the tip of the bottom crossover adjusting nut. Use your manual again to see which lengths correspond to which types of Teryx functions.
9. Adjust The Length According To Your Preferences
The same steps in the preload adjustments will be executed in the crossover. Loosen the top crossover lock nut and adjust the bottom adjusting nut to extend the length according to your preferences. Make sure that you have the left and right crossover lengths similar.
10. Turn The Compression Knob According To Your Preferences
When your Teryx encounters bumps, the shock compresses. How quickly the shock compresses can be adjusted using the compression knob found on your shock.
Turning your knob all the way clockwise sets the compression damping to 0, which is the stiffest setting. This is ideal for driving with several jumps, so you may want to take your Teryx out on 0 to 10 settings to see whether it suits your hilly terrain or desert adventure.
Turning it all the way counterclockwise, on the other hand, sets the compression damping to 24, which is the softest setting. If you prefer a light drive in rocky terrain with your Teryx, set it to 20 or above. Bear in mind that when you turn the knob a level higher or lower, you will hear a click.
For some, the most optimal setting is 12, which is the default of the Teryx.
I’ve also written a complete guide on Kawasaki Teryx Radiator problems. You’ll find out the more common Kawasaki Teryx radiator issues and simple methods to fix them.
Final Thoughts
Getting the most out of your Kawasaki Teryx is not a challenging task. You just have to know which settings would suit your purpose best! Remember, however, to stay within the specifications stated in the manual. After all, replacing Teryx parts will set you back a fortune!
