Do You Need Weld Washers on Your UTV? (When They’re Required vs Optional)
Weld washers are one of the simplest upgrades you can make to a UTV — but they’re also one of the most misunderstood.
Some builds absolutely require them. Others may never need them.
The difference comes down to how your UTV is used and how much load your suspension sees.
What Do Weld Washers Actually Do?
Weld washers reinforce suspension mounting points by increasing the surface area around the bolt hole.
Instead of force being concentrated in one small area, they help:
- Distribute load across a larger surface
- Prevent elongation of bolt holes
- Reduce stress around weld zones
- Reinforce high-load suspension tabs
They’re most commonly used on:
- Shock mounts
- Control arm tabs
- Rear suspension pickup points
When Weld Washers Are Required
There are situations where weld washers go from “nice to have” to necessary.
1. High Horsepower Builds
More power means more load transferred through the suspension.
Hard acceleration, aggressive driving, and added weight all increase stress on mounting points.
2. Dune Riding and High-Speed Terrain
Dunes and desert riding create repeated compression loads, especially during:
- G-outs
- Transitions
- Hard landings
Over time, this can lead to fatigue and cracking without reinforcement.
3. Long Travel Suspension Setups
As suspension travel increases, so does leverage on mounting points. Longer arms and increased movement amplify load and side forces, putting more stress on tabs.
This is where proper suspension geometry becomes critical, as it directly affects how load is distributed through the system.
Longer arms and increased movement:
- Amplify load
- Increase side forces
- Put more stress on tabs
Learn more about why geometry matters:
Why Suspension Geometry Matters More Than Travel
4. Larger Tires and Added Weight
Heavier setups create more force during compression and impact.
This includes:
- Larger paddle tires
- Beadlocks
- Fully built cars
When Weld Washers May Be Optional
Not every UTV needs weld washers immediately.
They may be optional if:
- The vehicle is mostly stock
- It’s used for light trail riding
- Power levels remain near OEM
- Suspension travel is unchanged
That said, even in these cases, weld washers can still be a preventative upgrade.
The Real Question: Preventative vs Reactive
Most riders don’t think about reinforcement until something fails.
By the time you see:
- Cracks
- Elongated holes
- Movement in mounting points
Damage has already started.
Weld washers are best installed before failure, not after.
How to Know If You Should Install Them
You should strongly consider weld washers if:
- You ride dunes or desert terrain
- You’ve upgraded suspension components
- You’ve added power or weight
- You’re seeing early signs of wear
If any of these apply, reinforcement is a smart move.
Final Thoughts
Weld washers are a small upgrade that can prevent major problems.
They aren’t required for every build — but for high-load, high-performance setups, they quickly become essential.
Reinforcing mounting points early can save you from:
- Structural damage
- Expensive repairs
- Downtime during riding season
Shop Weld Washers
If you’re building for reliability, reinforcing your suspension mounting points is one of the simplest upgrades you can make.
Shop UTV Weld Washers:
https://avidrace.com/collections/weld-washers