You're not missing much by not having the stock adjustment tool. It is made out of cheap "pot" metal and usually breaks in your hands the first few times you use it.

Large channel-lock pliers work in a pinch. Jack up your quad before making the adjustment, it takes weight off of the shocks springs and makes the adjustment ring easier to turn. Go slow and careful - I broke off a few tabs on the adjustment ring when I was in a hurry.

For best results, buy an aftermarket adjustment tool from your dealer. I paid $20 Cdn for a universal one that works on a variety of quad shocks. With the proper tool you can get a firm grip and not worry about breaking off tabs.

Good luck.

 

The stock spanner wrench is junk, just throw it in the trash, your knuckles will thank you.
I use to use channel locks but ended up breaking a couple tabs off as well.
I drilled and tapped a couple holes in my oil filter wrench and just screw in 1/4" bolts when I need to change shock settings.
Works great.

 

Thanks guys,

That is an excellent idea Timberpig, I have the same filter wrench.
I guess I will be firing up the drill press tomorrow!

Moose

 

Moose,
When I got my new TRV the wrench was in the bag with the owners manual. Did you look there? Not that it matters because like they said they are junk.

Vince

 

Off topic big time, but love the Avatar Timberpig - seen it before but never with a Stihl, I would only ever buy a Stihl or Husky.....

 

I had to get 6 stitches in my right figer from that #%$@ing tool...lol...I spray some wd40 on the adjuster and let it sit for 2 minutes and then use the stock wrench...Works great now. bang your head

 

I did find the tool in the bag with the owners manual under the seat and yes it is a steaming pile of crap!
I jacked up the front end, sprayed the shocks with WD40 and was able to tighten them with the tool.
The back I could not do with the tool, it just bent. I ended up taking the tires off and adjusting them with channel locks.

Thanks for the help

Moose

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Barnzilla @ Jul 7 2007, 09:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Off topic big time, but love the Avatar Timberpig - seen it before but never with a Stihl, I would only ever buy a Stihl or Husky.....[/b]

How about a Jonsered? Made by same outfit as Husky (Electrolux in Sweden). I've used all three of these brands and some of the lesser saws. The Stihl is an excellent saw as well as the Husky and Jonsered. I have two Jons. An ,84 model 630 and an an '87 model 680. Both are pretty big saws. The 630 I believe is 53 ccs and the 680 is around 61 ccs. I use a round cut chain on the 680 and square cut on the 630. If I'm cutting good clean wood, I use the 630. If I'm in dirt and grit, the 680 with the round cut is the saw for that job. The round cut chain is so much easier to sharpen. The square cut eats wood like there's no tomorrow but, you have to be patient and lot more careful when it's time to sharpen it. As you can tell by the age, they're not new saws. However, with a sharp chain, they'll still cut as good as any of new saws of equal size and better than a lot of larger saws. Made in Shhveeden...yesshh.. A lot of the new saws are no longer made in Sweden and Germany. As with many other manufacturers, they've farmed the work out to Asians.

 

After breaking a few "shock" tools I found a channle lock works best.

DAN

 

I busted my knuckles using that stock tool as well. Go to any ATV dealer and buy an aftermarket spanner wrench, you'll be able to adjust your shocks no problem. :thumbsup:

 

I found dirt can get into the adjusters. So try cleaning them out first. I broke mine because dirt was wedged in between the shocks and the adjusters. bang your head I had to use channel locks after that.