Snowmobile Polaris 600 IQ Racer (2015 year). Manual - part 22

91

MAINTENANCE

Steering System

Ski Skags

WARNING! Worn skis and/or skags will adversely affect handling. Loss of 
vehicle control may result, causing serious injury or death.

See your dealer's studding chart for recommended skags. If you install 
longer or more aggressive carbide skags than the original equipment, it 
may also be necessary to add track studs to maintain proper vehicle 
control while turning on hard-packed snow or ice.

Check skags before each use of the snowmobile to ensure positive 
steering characteristics. Skags must be replaced when worn to half their 
original diameter. 

TIP: Carbide skags must be replaced if any abnormal wear or chipping is found.

Skag Replacement

Some models are equipped with single 
skags. Some models are equipped with 
dual skags.

1. Raise and support the front of the 

machine so the skis are 
approximately 6 inches (15.2 cm) 
from the ground.

2. Remove the attaching hardware 

and pry the skag downward.

3. Remove the front end of the skag.

4. Remove the rear end of the skag.

5. Reverse the steps to install a skag.

Rail Slide Wear

Measure slide thickness at 
several points along the rail. 
Have your dealer replace the 
slide when it's worn down to 
the top of the wear limit 
indicator groove (X). Do not 
operate the snowmobile if 
slide thickness measures less 
than 7/16 inch (1.1 cm).

Skag

X

7/16 inch

(1.1 cm)

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MAINTENANCE

Suspension Maintenance

Pre-Ride Suspension Inspection

Loose nuts and bolts can reduce your snowmobile's reliability and cause 
needless repairs and down time. Before beginning any snowmobile trip, 
a visual inspection will uncover potential problems. Check the 
following items on a weekly basis or before any long trip.

Item

See Page

Check suspension mounting bolts for tightness.

See Dealer

Check rear idler wheel bolts for tightness. 

87

Check rear idler adjusting bolt locknuts for tightness.

--

Check front torque arm limiter strap condition.

--

Check rail slide condition. 

91

Check track tension.

86

Check ski runner/skag condition.

86

Check ski spindle bolts for tightness.

--

Check tie rod end nuts for tightness.

--

Lubricate rear suspension components.

63

93

MAINTENANCE

Extended Storage

Off-season or extended storage of your snowmobile requires preventive 
measures to aid against deterioration and to prolong the useful life of 
many components. See page 100 for the part numbers of POLARIS 
products. 

Cleaning and Preservation

Proper storage starts with cleaning, washing, and waxing the hood, 
chassis, and plastic parts. Wipe down remaining surfaces with a damp 
cloth. Clean and touch up with paint any rusted or previously painted 
surfaces. Be sure that corrosive salt and acids are removed from surfaces 
before beginning preservation with waxes and rust inhibitors (grease, oil 
or paint).

The machine should be stored in a dry garage or shed, out of direct 
sunlight, and covered with a fabric snowmobile cover. Plastic tarp may 
cause condensation to form and damage snowmobile components.

Controls and Linkage

Lubricate all bushings, tie rod ends and cables as outlined in the 
Periodic Maintenance Table beginning on page 60.

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MAINTENANCE

Extended Storage

Clutch and Drive System

Remove the drive belt and store in a cool dry location. To prevent 
oxidation on the clutch sheaves, lubricate the sheave faces of the drive 
and driven clutches with a light coat of oil or POLARIS Cable 
Lubricant. 

TIP: After storage, always use acetone or alcohol to remove the oil before 

reinstalling the drive belt. 

Do not lubricate clutch components, except the driven clutch shaft 
bushing as outlined in the Master Repair Manual. See your dealer.

Engine and Carburetor Protection

Proper preparation of the engine and fuel system is vital to the 
prevention of rust and corrosion on precision engine parts during 
storage. Whenever the machine is stored for a period of more than 60 
days, the engine must be fogged with fogging oil. Follow the engine 
fogging instructions provided on the container.

Always add Carbon Clean or a fuel conditioner/stabilizer to the fuel 
tank. Follow the instructions on the container, running the engine for 
five minutes to get additives through the entire fuel system. Top off with 
fresh premixed fuel.

TIP: Jet restriction caused by improper storage can cause lean conditions and 

very poor slow speed driving quality.