Ever feel like every rock and root on the trail is sending a jolt straight up your spine? Or maybe you’ve loaded up your Can-Am Outlander with gear for a weekend trip, only to watch the rear end sag unhappily. You’ve got a powerful machine with a capable suspension, but that factory setting is just a best-guess compromise.
You’re not stuck with a ride that’s too harsh or too soft. The secret to unlocking a perfectly tailored ride experience is sitting right in your toolkit—or it should be. We promise that by the end of this guide, you’ll understand exactly how to use the can am outlander spanner wrench to transform your ATV’s handling and comfort.
We’re going to walk you through what this essential tool is, why you absolutely need it, and provide a step-by-step process to adjust your shocks like a pro. Get ready to dial in your suspension for any terrain or load.
What Exactly is a Can-Am Outlander Spanner Wrench (and Why You Need One)?
Let’s get straight to it. A spanner wrench, sometimes called a C-spanner, is a simple, specialized hand tool designed for one crucial job: adjusting the preload collars on your Outlander’s coil-over shocks.
It has a distinct C-shaped head with a small hook or “tooth” on the end. This hook is engineered to fit perfectly into the notches on the shock’s preload adjustment ring.
You might be tempted to reach for a pair of channel-lock pliers or a pipe wrench. Don’t do it. Those tools will chew up the soft aluminum collars, leaving them gouged, stripped, and impossible to adjust later. The spanner wrench applies even, correct pressure without causing damage, making it the only right tool for the job.
Why It’s a Non-Negotiable Tool
Think of this tool as the key to your suspension’s potential. Without it, you’re stuck with whatever setting the factory decided on. With it, you become the master of your ride quality.
Owning and knowing how to use one is fundamental for any serious rider who wants to get the most out of their machine. It’s a small investment that pays huge dividends in comfort, performance, and vehicle longevity.
The Top Benefits of Using a Can Am Outlander Spanner Wrench
Properly adjusting your shock preload isn’t just a minor tweak; it’s a game-changer. This simple adjustment affects everything from comfort to safety. Here are the core benefits you’ll unlock.
- Tailor-Made Ride Comfort: This is the biggest win. You can soften the suspension for long, cruising days on smoother trails or stiffen it up to prevent bottoming out during aggressive, high-speed riding.
- Compensate for Added Weight: Loading up with camping gear, a cooler, or a passenger? Adding preload prevents the suspension from sagging, maintaining proper ground clearance and handling characteristics. The same goes for adding heavy accessories like a winch or plow.
- Optimize Handling and Stability: Correct preload ensures your tires stay in better contact with the ground. This improves traction, reduces body roll in corners, and makes the ATV feel more planted and predictable.
- Prevent Component Damage: Using the correct tool is a core tenet of good mechanic work. The can am outlander spanner wrench protects your shock collars from damage, ensuring they remain easy to adjust for the life of your ATV.
- Dial-In Ground Clearance: While not a lift kit, increasing preload can restore ride height lost from heavy loads or spring fatigue, helping you clear obstacles more easily.
How to Use Your Can Am Outlander Spanner Wrench: A Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to take control of your suspension? This complete how to can am outlander spanner wrench guide will walk you through the process safely. Take your time, be patient, and the results will be well worth it.
Safety First!
Before you touch a single tool, park your Outlander on a flat, level surface like a garage floor. Put it in park and engage the parking brake. If you’ve just been riding, let the exhaust and engine cool down completely.
Preparation and Tools
Gather everything you need beforehand. There’s nothing worse than having your ATV on jack stands and realizing you’re missing something.
- Your can am outlander spanner wrench
- A sturdy floor jack
- Two jack stands
- Penetrating oil (like PB B’laster or Liquid Wrench)
- A wire brush and clean rags
- A tape measure
Step 1: Lift and Secure Your ATV
To adjust preload, the suspension needs to be unloaded (wheel off the ground). Place your floor jack under a solid frame point on the side you’re starting with and lift the ATV until the tire is a few inches off the ground. Immediately place a jack stand securely under the frame for safety. Never work on a vehicle supported only by a jack.
Step 2: Clean the Shock Threads
Your shock threads are exposed to mud, dirt, and water. This grime can seize the adjustment collar. Spray the threads generously with penetrating oil and use a wire brush to scrub away all the grit. Wipe it clean with a rag. This is the most important step for an easy adjustment.
Step 3: Measure Your Starting Point
This is a pro tip many people skip. Use your tape measure to record the current length of the shock spring. Measure from the top of the spring to the bottom. Write this down for each shock. This gives you a baseline to return to if you get lost in your adjustments.
Step 4: Make the Adjustment
Firmly seat the hook of the spanner wrench into one of the notches on the large preload collar. Apply steady, firm pressure to turn it.
- To Increase Preload (Stiffer Ride): Turn the collar downwards, compressing the spring. This raises the ride height and makes the suspension stiffer.
- To Decrease Preload (Softer Ride): Turn the collar upwards, allowing the spring to expand. This lowers the ride height and creates a softer, more compliant ride.
Make small adjustments—a quarter or half-turn at a time is plenty to start. Always make the exact same adjustment to the shock on the other side of the same axle (e.g., adjust the right front, then the left front).
Step 5: Lower and Test
Once you’ve made your symmetrical adjustments, carefully remove the jack stands and lower the ATV. Before hitting the trail, bounce on the suspension and take it for a short ride around your yard or a familiar, safe area. See how it feels. It often takes a few tries to find the perfect setting.
Common Problems and Pro Tips for Your Spanner Wrench
Even with the right tool, you can hit a snag. Here’s a look at some common problems with can am outlander spanner wrench use and how to solve them.
Problem: The Adjustment Collar is Seized Solid
This is common on machines that see a lot of mud. If you’ve cleaned the threads and it still won’t budge, spray it again with more penetrating oil and let it sit for 30 minutes. You can also try gently tapping the collar with a rubber mallet to help break the corrosion free. Patience is key.
Problem: The Wrench Keeps Slipping
If the wrench is slipping, stop immediately. It usually means one of three things: you have poor engagement, the collar notches are damaged, or you’re trying to adjust the shock while it’s still under the vehicle’s weight. Ensure the wheel is off the ground and the wrench is seated squarely and deeply in a notch.
Pro Tip: Mark Your Settings
Use a paint pen or permanent marker to make a small dot on the shock body and a corresponding dot on the collar for your “go-to” settings. You could have a mark for solo riding, one for riding with a passenger, and one for when you’re loaded with gear. This makes switching between setups a 30-second job.
Can Am Outlander Spanner Wrench Best Practices & Care Guide
Following a few best practices will ensure your tool and your suspension serve you well for years. This is where a sustainable can am outlander spanner wrench approach comes in—caring for your tools means you buy them once.
Tool Care for Longevity
This is the essence of a good can am outlander spanner wrench care guide. After you’re done, wipe the wrench clean of any oil or dirt. Store it in a dry place, like your toolbox drawer, to prevent rust. A tool that isn’t rusty is a tool that works correctly and safely every time.
Eco-Friendly Maintenance Habits
Being an off-roader means respecting the outdoors. When cleaning your shock threads, consider using a plant-based, biodegradable degreaser. Place a rag or drip pan under the shock to catch any runoff from penetrating oils, preventing it from soaking into the ground. This is a simple way to practice eco-friendly can am outlander spanner wrench maintenance.
Adjust in Small, Testable Increments
The golden rule of suspension tuning is to change one thing at a time and make small adjustments. Don’t go from the softest setting to the stiffest. Turn the collar a bit, ride it, and evaluate. This methodical approach will help you find that perfect sweet spot.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Can Am Outlander Spanner Wrench
Can I use a different tool if I don’t have a spanner wrench?
We strongly advise against it. Using pipe wrenches or locking pliers will almost certainly damage the soft aluminum collars. This can make future adjustments impossible without replacing the shock body, which is a very expensive repair for a problem that is easily avoidable.
How much should I adjust my shock preload?
There’s no single magic number; it depends on your weight, your passenger’s weight, your cargo load, and your riding style. Start by making small, 1/4-turn adjustments from your baseline measurement. The goal is to find a balance where the ride is comfortable but the suspension doesn’t bottom out on big hits.
Does increasing preload give my Outlander a lift?
It can slightly increase the ride height, but a preload adjustment is not a lift kit. Its primary purpose is to set the proper “sag” (how much the suspension compresses under the vehicle’s own weight). Over-cranking the preload to gain height will result in a dangerously harsh ride and can damage the shock by causing it to top out.
Do I need to adjust the front and rear shocks the same?
Not necessarily. You can and should tune them independently based on load. For example, if you add a heavy winch to the front, you may need to increase front preload. If you’re carrying heavy gear on the rear rack, you’ll want to add more preload to the rear shocks. Just remember to always keep the left and right sides of the same axle perfectly equal.
Mastering the can am outlander spanner wrench is one of the most rewarding DIY jobs you can do. It’s a simple tool that gives you profound control over your machine’s performance and comfort.
By taking the time to clean, measure, and adjust methodically, you can dial in your suspension for any adventure you can dream of. Now you have the knowledge and the complete can am outlander spanner wrench guide to do it right.
Grab your wrench, get out in the garage, and unlock the perfect ride. Stay safe and happy trails!
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