By Jon Crowley
The Can-Am Maverick X3 is an impressive machine in stock form, but the right suspension and steering upgrades can make it better suited to the way you actually drive. On our 2022 Can-Am Maverick X3 X rs Turbo RR with Smart-Shox, three of the first upgrades we selected came from Shock Therapy: stronger tie rods with a Bump Steer Delete Kit, front limit straps and a vehicle-specific dual-rate spring kit.
These Shock Therapy upgrades for the Can-Am Maverick X3 address three different needs. The tie rods and Bump Steer Delete Kit improve steering geometry and strength, the limit straps control suspension droop, and the spring kit supports the vehicle’s real operating weight.
Shock Therapy, based in Phoenix, Arizona, has specialized in UTV suspension tuning and components since 2014. Here is why these three upgrades made sense for our X3.
1. Tie Rods and Bump Steer Delete Kit
Bump steer occurs when a wheel changes its steering angle as the suspension moves through its travel, even though the driver has not moved the steering wheel. The amount of toe change depends on the relationship between the steering linkage and the suspension’s pivot points.
A driver may experience excessive bump steer as darting, steering-wheel feedback or a vehicle that requires frequent corrections over rough terrain. Shock Therapy’s Bump Steer Delete system changes the outer tie-rod mounting geometry to reduce that unwanted toe change as the front suspension cycles.
We paired the BSD components with Shock Therapy’s billet aluminum tie rods. That combination made sense for our X3 because we use it for rock crawling and frequently run tires as large as 35 inches. Larger, heavier tires increase the leverage and load applied to steering components.
The upgraded rods provide more strength than the factory parts and use lined rod ends with left- and right-hand threads for easier toe adjustment. Owners should remember that strengthening one steering component can transfer impact loads farther into the rack, spindle or chassis. An upgraded tie rod is not a substitute for choosing good lines and avoiding hard impacts with the front tires.
Watch our installation of the Shock Therapy Bump Steer Delete Kit:
Justin Smith of Shock Therapy also explains how bump steer works and how it is measured:
2. Front Limit Straps
The second upgrade was a set of front limit straps. When the front suspension reaches full extension, or full droop, the shock can top out with a noticeable clunk. Limit straps stop the suspension just before the shock reaches that mechanical limit.
Properly adjusted straps can provide several benefits:
- Reduce the harsh top-out load placed on the shocks
- Control maximum suspension droop
- Help limit extreme CV-joint and axle angles
- Reduce the unsettling clunk heard when the front end becomes unloaded
Shock Therapy’s system uses an adjustable clevis, allowing the effective strap length to be corrected as the webbing settles and stretches. Its mounting arrangement also keeps the strap closely aligned with the shock’s movement.
Limit-strap adjustment is important. A strap that is too short unnecessarily removes usable suspension travel, while one that is too long may not protect the shock or driveline before full extension. Recheck the straps after the first few rides and periodically inspect the webbing and mounting hardware.
Watch our overview of the Shock Therapy limit straps:
3. Dual-Rate Spring Kit
The Maverick X3 comes with dual-rate springs, but the factory must select spring rates intended to work for a broad range of drivers and uses. The situation changes when an owner adds a spare tire, tools, cooler, winch, skid plates, bumpers or other accessories.
Driver and passenger weight also matters. It is easy to add several hundred pounds to a UTV once people, safety gear and trail equipment are included. That additional weight can reduce ride height, consume suspension travel and make it harder to obtain the desired setup with preload adjustments alone.
Shock Therapy configures its Can-Am Maverick X3 dual-rate spring kits around the vehicle model, shock package and operating weight. When properly selected and adjusted, the spring kit can:
- Restore ride height lost after adding accessories
- Improve compliance over smaller bumps
- Preserve more suspension travel for larger impacts
- Increase bottom-out resistance
- Provide a better balance between the front and rear suspension
Springs support the vehicle and establish ride height; shock valving controls how quickly the suspension moves. A spring kit can make a major improvement when the factory springs no longer match the vehicle’s weight, but drivers seeking more control at speed may also benefit from professional shock tuning or a complete Ride Improvement System.
Which Shock Therapy Upgrade Should You Install First?
The best starting point depends on what you want to correct:
- Steering wander or unwanted toe change through suspension travel: Start with the Bump Steer Delete Kit and tie rods.
- Front suspension clunking at full extension: Add properly adjusted limit straps.
- Lost ride height after adding accessories: Choose a spring kit matched to the X3’s loaded weight.
- Poor control through repeated bumps or hard impacts: Consider shock tuning in addition to springs.
For our rock-crawling X3, the three upgrades complement one another. The tie rods and BSD components address steering geometry and strength, the straps manage full droop, and the springs support the weight we actually carry.
Other Maverick X3 Suspension and Steering Upgrades
Earlier Maverick X3 models with the original single-shear rear toe-link mounting arrangement may also benefit from a toe-link support solution. Can-Am introduced a revised dual-shear rear knuckle on later models, so confirm the configuration on your vehicle before ordering parts.
Shock Therapy also offers steering racks, sway bars, sway-bar links, radius rods and complete Ride Improvement Systems. Fitment varies by model year, vehicle width, shock package and two- or four-seat configuration. Verify those details before ordering from the company’s current Can-Am Maverick X3 product collection.
Final Thoughts
These are not merely cosmetic additions. Each upgrade targets a specific part of the Maverick X3’s steering or suspension system. The biggest gains come from identifying the problem first, selecting the correct component for the exact X3 model and then setting it up properly.
For our machine, the combination of Shock Therapy tie rods and bump-steer correction, adjustable front limit straps and weight-matched dual-rate springs created a stronger foundation for larger tires, rock crawling and the accessories we carry on the trail.
