Properly charged shocks are the foundation of good UTV suspension 
performance. If your UTV shocks aren't at the right nitrogen 
pressure, your ride quality, bottoming resistance, and handling 
will all suffer — even if your seals and oil are perfect. Here's 
everything you need to know about charging UTV shocks with nitrogen.

## Why Do UTV Shocks Need Nitrogen?

UTV shocks are pressurized with nitrogen gas for several important 
reasons:

- **Prevents cavitation** — Without pressure, shock oil can foam 
and cavitate under hard use, causing a sudden loss of damping. 
Nitrogen pressure keeps the oil from foaming.
- **Controls ride height** — Proper nitrogen pressure helps 
maintain correct ride height and suspension geometry.
- **Supports damping performance** — The right pressure ensures 
the shock valving works correctly throughout the stroke.
- **Keeps moisture out** — Nitrogen is an inert, dry gas. Unlike 
air, it contains no moisture or oxygen that could corrode internal 
components or degrade shock oil.

## Why Nitrogen and NOT Compressed Air?

This is one of the most common mistakes DIY shock builders make. 
Compressed air contains oxygen and moisture. Oxygen reacts with 
shock oil and internal metal components causing oxidation and 
degraded oil. Moisture promotes corrosion inside the shock body 
and on the shaft.

Always use dry nitrogen gas — never compressed air — when 
charging UTV shocks.

## What Nitrogen Pressure Do UTV Shocks Need?

Nitrogen pressure varies by shock manufacturer, shock size, and 
vehicle application. General guidelines are:

- **Fox 2.0" shocks** — typically 200 PSI
- **Fox 2.5" shocks** — typically 200 PSI
- **Fox 3.0" shocks** — typically 200 PSI
- **Walker Evans shocks** — typically 200 PSI
- Fox Dynamix/Live Valve shocks 200 PSI

Always consult your specific shock manufacturer's service manual 
for the exact nitrogen pressure specification for your shocks. 
Incorrect pressure — too high or too low — will negatively affect 
ride quality and damping performance.

## What Equipment Do You Need?

To properly charge UTV shocks with nitrogen you need:

**1. Nitrogen Regulator Kit**
A quality regulator with a pressure gauge, bleed-off valve, and 
whip hose is essential. At Schmidty Racing Suspensions we carry 
the Uniweld 400 PSI Nitrogen Regulator Kit — one of the most 
reliable regulators available for shock work. It includes a gauge, 
bleed-off, and whip hose for easy connection to your shocks.

**2. Nitrogen Tank**
A standard nitrogen cylinder available from welding supply stores 
like Airgas or Praxair. A small cylinder works fine for home use.

**3. Shock Fill Tool or Schrader Valve Adapter**
Most UTV shocks use a Schrader valve (similar to a tire valve) on 
the reservoir for nitrogen charging. You'll need the correct 
adapter or fill tool to connect your regulator whip to the shock.

## Step-by-Step Nitrogen Charging Process

### Step 1 — Gather Your Equipment

Make sure you have your nitrogen regulator, nitrogen tank, fill 
tool, and the correct pressure specification for your shocks before 
you start.

### Step 2 — Connect the Regulator to the Nitrogen Tank

Thread the regulator onto the nitrogen tank valve and tighten 
securely. Keep the tank valve closed until you're ready to charge.

### Step 3 — Connect the Whip to Your Shock

Connect the regulator whip hose to the Schrader valve on your 
shock's nitrogen reservoir. Make sure the connection is secure 
before opening any valves.

### Step 4 — Set Your Target Pressure

Look up the correct nitrogen pressure for your specific shocks. 
Set your regulator to slightly above your target pressure.

### Step 5 — Slowly Open the Tank Valve

Open the nitrogen tank valve slowly. Watch the regulator gauge 
rise. Never open the tank valve suddenly — rapid pressure surges 
can damage the regulator and shock components.

### Step 6 — Fill to Target Pressure

Slowly bring the shock up to target pressure. Watch the gauge 
carefully. It's easier to add pressure than to remove it.

### Step 7 — Check for Leaks

With the shock at pressure, listen and feel for any air escaping 
around the Schrader valve or fill tool connection. If you hear 
leaking, check your connections before proceeding.

### Step 8 — Disconnect and Verify

Close the tank valve, then use the bleed-off valve on your 
regulator to release pressure from the whip hose before 
disconnecting from the shock. Verify the shock is holding 
pressure by checking the valve with a small amount of soapy 
water — bubbles indicate a leak.

### Step 9 — Reinstall the Valve Cap

Always reinstall the Schrader valve cap after charging. This 
protects the valve from dirt and debris that could cause slow leaks.

## Common Nitrogen Charging Mistakes to Avoid

**1. Using compressed air instead of nitrogen**
As mentioned above — always use dry nitrogen only.

**2. Overcharging the shock**
Too much pressure causes a harsh, stiff ride and puts excessive 
stress on seals. Always stay within the manufacturer's specified 
pressure range.

**3. Undercharging the shock**
Too little pressure leads to cavitation, poor damping, and reduced 
bottoming resistance.

**4. Not bleeding pressure before disassembly**
Always bleed all nitrogen pressure before opening any shock 
components. A pressurized shock is extremely dangerous.

**5. Charging without a quality regulator**
A cheap or inaccurate regulator can overcharge shocks and damage 
them. Invest in a quality regulator — the Uniweld 400 PSI kit 
from Schmidty Racing is built for professional shock work.

## Shop Nitrogen Regulator Kits and Shock Tools

Schmidty Racing Suspensions carries everything you need to 
professionally charge and service UTV shocks at home:

- Uniweld 400 PSI Nitrogen Regulator Kits with gauge, bleed-off, 
and whip
- Shock fill tools and Schrader valve adapters
- Spanner wrenches and seal drivers
- Lucas synthetic shock oil
- Vehicle-specific shock rebuild seal kits for Can-Am, Polaris, 
Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Ford Raptor & more

Visit schmidtyracing.com or call us at (602) 920-1337 to get 
everything you need for a professional shock rebuild and nitrogen 
charge at home. Located in Mesa, AZ and shipping nationwide.