Finding Gas Shocks for front Struts impossible??????

[Willy M 32]

I've got a trail master sxs by American Sportworks and they will not sell me a basic gas shock for the front strut.

The shock is a straight forward 1 1/2" diameter tube.  

Where can i buy just the shock? The shock and strut together are $350 US OUCH!!!!

[Willy M 32]

Dealer here can't get one, company says must be whole strut assy. only, and now told out of stock for left front, no longer made since the vehicle is 7 years old. Previous to this the company sent the wrong shock, the rear one when it clearly was written in the order "front' 

Poor to no company supporst from Landmaster. Last I ordered parts they sent the wrong ball joints though I modified them to work since I didn't want to spend another $40 in UPS charges.

 

Though they claim US made I'm told these are Chinese parts that are obsolete after just a few years. If you plan on keeping one don't.

No one will match up a gas shock to it.  Gets rediculous.   Now it's been a month and a half without being able yo use my 4 wheeler.

[Travis 69]

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=trailmaster+shocks

[Willy M 32]

I see I made a mistake in the naming of the beast, it's a "Trail Wagon" by Sportworks, now Landmaster, and rides like one.  The shocks have no bottom mount and have a threaded piston that secures a spring cup and retaining nut above.

[Travis 69]

https://www.amazon.com/American-LandMaster-2-70302-inch-Shock/dp/B01N25DVE0/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1494868824&sr=8-4&keywords=american+sportworks+utv+parts

Like this one?

[Willy M 32]

Looks like one of the 4 rear shocks, unfortunately I need a front shock that fits in the strut.

I just googled to find a similar looking one and I think this could be it, has the same retaining spring cup and shape

 

https://www.kimpex.com/en-ca/products/atv/suspensions-and-parts/suspension-shocks/front-kimpex-pro-gold-shock-absorber

[Travis 69]

What type of UTV is this, Make?

[Willy M 32]

Trail Wagon by Sportworks, now called Landmaster. Seems they don't support anything very well over 6 years old, not good.

[Travis 69]

https://americanlandmaster.com/parts-search/

TRY THIS!!!

[Willy M 32]

Already tried Landmaster, no left side available as they do not sell the shock alone. Seems everyone who owns on their  shocks have failed and bought them out probably years ago since mine has few miles on it.

No dealer wants to sell me a shock that is similar, they want the model # etc.  The strut will clamp onto any 1 1/2" diameter tube.

Strange no one has cross referenced this shock, not even Landmaster, just let owners struggle to find parts.

[Travis 69]

IF i were you I would contact landmaster and sue them. ?

I am truly confused, thats what i like about Kawasaki, they still make parts 30 yrs later!

[Willy M 32]

I'm told by dealers that China made and other off shore parts are not made past 4-5 years so 6 year old UTV you can't get most parts. Basically soon as a new model supersedes an older one parts become scarce. All the BS of this wagon being American made is BS, only American assembled, probably comes out of a shipping container with Chinese written on it. I don't think I'm being harsh since they don't support their UTV's like they advertise.  The only part that they did send me that was correct was the CV and U joint shaft for the front 4wd. These fall apart, actually snap the axle as a ball joint did, snap at the ball and shaft. Maybe 5/8" diameter shaft? Not enough to match the engines power.

Not supplying any part numbers from other parts that could work is trying to force you to buy another (and not theirs) but by a company that stands by their product. So I did, I bought a Polaris and soon as I find a shock I'm putting it back together and selling the Trail Wagon.

[Willy M 32]

A friend knows a great guy working for Suzuki who found the gas shock. It's a Kimpex 301576 Gas shock N7 Polaris-front-ATV.  Comes with the spring cup.

 

[Travis 69]

ALRIGHT!!!?

[Willy M 32]

makes me wonder why Landmaster won't cross reference parts for their older UTV's. Their price (if they had one) included the strut as an assembly, not just the shock for $380. The shock itself lists for $149 Can. I got a deal on it.  Now I only need a spring compressor to shorten things up to install it.

[Travis 69]

They probably want to make you desperate for one, and get you to where you'll pay outrageous $$ for it, then they suddenly "find one" and you buy it for a gazillion dollars!

[Willy M 32]

I find that any company that doesn't support its product that's under 10 years old won't sell so many in future. Bad press never good.

After waiting 2 months to find a shock I won't let lack of parts or lack of cross referenced parts keep my UTV grounded. I bought  Polaris because I know the company supports it. The Sportworks is a good UTV except for ride quality. I'm selling it so I'm not :grounded" month after month waiting to find parts.

The company did have front U joints with axle and CV joint as a unit, just over $100 and you'll need those as they snap.  Make its drivetrain parts stronger and fix the ride quality and you'd have a great UTV.

True Landmaster products sell for less but you get what you pay for. 

[Travis 69]

Thats what i like about Kawasaki, they're still makin' parts for there 80's machines.

[Willy M 32]

Must be nice to be able to source parts being a Kawasaki owner.  The shock I found the top thread to be a bit too large in diameter. I took it down, threaded it to 7/16" and it now fits. Had to shorten the nut for the spring cup too. But it works!

[Travis 69]

IT IS!! I 'm happy for you since you found your shock!