I've got the same issues...I thought my shock was broken. It move VERY easily until the hot rods lock up...then it is really stiff. The two steal bars that run parallel to the shock are bowed out as well. If you remember Max, I did the suspension relocation as well but it was fairly parallel. Does anyone have a measurement that works??? This nearly cost me the sled last year...I tried to wheelie over a small section of open water and as soon as the suspension locked up it rammed the nose down and almost sank the sled.