A combination of a steep uphill climb through rocky terrain and over an off-camber slope put the Polaris RZR in an awkward location where the driver really wanted to stop and see exactly where the tires were so he could pick his precise line through a very challenging spot.
However, whenever he removed his foot from the brake the RZR wanted to roll backward, even with it shifted into park. He couldn’t take his foot off long enough to exit his vehicle and make a quick walk-around to see what his best options were.
It’s times like these when you wonder why the manufacturer doesn’t put some sort of park brake on the side-by-side.
Problem solved.
The editors of Dirt Toys magazine have come across one of the simplest installs that allows RZR owners to add a mechanical park brake in less than five minutes (no, really, even us bumbling journalists were able to remove two lock nuts, install the Spring Brake Thingy and replace the two nuts in about the same amount of time it takes to read this article.
Not only was the install quick and simple, but the function of the park brake is also quick and simple.
Now for a quick disclaimer: Even though a park brake may be set, that doesn’t mean a careless individual can’t still drive the RZR and create a dangerous heat friction situation in the brake cylinder. (That’s likely why the manufacturer doesn’t put park brakes on the RZR.) However, if you can’t figure out way your RZR isn’t running like it should when you carelessly forget the park brake’s set, you probably shouldn’t be driving a UTV in the first place.
There are two designs of the Spring Brake Thingy. The original is installed by removing two bolts, exchanging one of them for a long bolt, and installing the park brake. The other, the Heavy Duty Spring Brake Thingy requires you to remove the two lock nuts from the brake master cylinder which is located just above the foot pedal, sliding the brake assembly over the two posts, and re-installing the lock nuts.
The Spring Brake Thingy works by using your right foot to depress the brake pedal and then using your lift foot to slide the spring-loaded over to lock the brake in place. The machined notch on the arm will lock the brake pedal down. To release, just push the brake pedal down until the arm releases and returns against the firewall.
The Heavy Duty Spring Brake Thingy works on Polaris RZR 570's, 800's, 900's, 1000's, and Turbos. The Heavy Duty Spring Brake Thingy retails for $49.99
For more information contact www.springbrakethingy.com
