Snowmobile Shock Maintenance: How to Know When to Service and Why Timing Matters

By Racers Choice Suspension...

Every serious snow jockey knows that shocks are the heart of your sled’s handling. They control how your machine responds to bumps, jumps, and deep snow, keeping you in control and riding confidently. Yet, too often, riders wait until something goes wrong before thinking about shock maintenance — a decision that can affect performance, safety, and the life of your sled or worse.. You.

In this post, we answer two of the most common questions about snowmobile shocks:

1. How do I know if my shocks are worn out or need servicing or replacing?

2. How often should I service or rebuild my shocks?

How Do I Know if My Snowmobile Shocks Are Worn Out?

Unlike a a worn belt or smoked skid sliders / Hyfax, worn shocks don’t always announce themselves loudly — at least not until the handling becomes unpredictable. Some common signs that your shocks may need attention include:

• Leaking oil – visible oil on the shock body or near mounting points.

• Excessive bouncing or wallowing – the sled doesn’t settle properly after bumps or jumps.

• Harsh or inconsistent response – the sled feels too stiff on small bumps or bottoming out on big hits.

• Unstable handling at speed – the front or rear feels “floaty” or unpredictable during turns.

Waiting until your shocks are visibly leaking or your sled is unpredictable is a mistake. At that point, the internal components may already be worn or damaged, and the ride experience (and safety) has already been compromised.

How Often Should Snowmobile Shocks Be Serviced or Rebuilt?

The best approach is preventive, seasonal maintenance. Ideally, shocks should be serviced before the riding season begins each year, ensuring your sled is ready for performance from the first run.

Shock service usually follows a leapfrog schedule, alternating between basic service and full rebuilds year to year:

Year 1: Basic Service

• Fluid change: All old oil is drained and replaced with high-quality OEM fluids.

• Inspection: Both internal and external parts are checked for wear or damage.

• Spring adjustment: This is the ideal time to change springs for the rider’s weight and intended riding style.

A basic service ensures your shocks are clean, lubricated, and properly matched to your setup — improving performance and safety before you hit the trails.

Year 2: Full Rebuild

• Complete teardown: Shocks are disassembled completely for a thorough inspection.

• New service parts: Seals, bushings, and other wear items are replaced.

• Fluid replacement: Only the highest quality OEM fluids oil are used.

A full rebuild restores shocks closer to factory-new performance and catches issues before they develop into serious problems.

Why Early and Regular Service Matters

Performing shock maintenance before the season starts is not just about performance — it’s about safety and peace of mind. Properly serviced shocks give you:

• Predictable handling in all conditions.

• Reduced risk of bottoming out or loss of control over jumps, bumps, and uneven terrain.

• Longer lifespan for your shocks and associated suspension components.

Skipping early service and waiting until the sled is noticeably performing poorly often leads to more expensive repairs, unpredictable handling, and unnecessary wear on other suspension components and loss of valuable time on the trail while the sled is down.

Shocks We Service

At Racers Choice Suspension, we service virtually every type of snowmobile shock, including:

• KYB shocks

• Walker Evans shocks

• Fox shocks

• Arctic Cat shocks

• Vintage rebuild-able sled shocks

Whether it’s modern performance shocks or classic rebuild-able units, our team ensures that every service uses OEM fluids and the highest quality parts, and ( if you choose ) that your sled is tuned to the rider’s weight for optimal performance.

The Racer’s Choice Difference

At Racers Choice, we handle both basic seasonal shock services and revalves based on rider input. Our process ensures:

• Fluid is replaced with the highest-quality OEM grade oil

• Internal and external components are fully inspected and serviced

• Springs are matched to your weight and riding style

• Valving is tailored to the individual rider based on the input the rider provides

With proper maintenance, your sled performs consistently, safely, and at its peak, season after season.

Pro Tip: Schedule your shock service before winter starts, not mid-season. Your first run should be about riding, not testing worn-out components.

📞 978-322-0705 Contact Racers Choice Suspension today to schedule your seasonal service and make sure your sled handles like it should.🌐 www.racerschoicesuspension.com