Snowmobile Arctic Cat (2008 year). Manual - part 124

7-56

6. Grease the idler arm and rear arm grease fittings

with a low-temperature grease.

7. Install the rear upper idler wheels, rear springs,

and pivot arm (see Rear Upper Idler Wheels/Rear

Springs in this sub-section).

Front Arm/

Front Arm Brackets/

Front Shock Absorber

„NOTE: The skid frame must be removed for this
procedure (see Removing Skid Frame in this sub-
section), and the rear springs must be removed
from the adjusting cams.

REMOVING

1. Remove the lower cap screws and lock nuts secur-

ing the limiter straps to the rail support. Account

for flat washers.

MS161A

2. Remove the cap screw and lock nut securing the

upper front shock absorber eyelet to the front arm.

Pull the shock eyelet free of the bracket. Account

for a serrated axle.

MS162A

3. Remove the cap screws and lock nuts securing the

front arm to the front arm mounting brackets.

MS163A

MS992A

4. Remove the front arm and account for the two

front arm spacers.

MS164

5. Remove the cap screws securing the front outer

idler wheels to the idler wheel mounting block.

Account for lock nuts, cap screws, shim washers

(if applicable), and flat washers.

MS133A

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7

6. Remove the cap screw, washer, and lock nut from

the front shock axle; then from one side, tap the

assembly rearward far enough for the axle assem-

bly to clear the slide rails. Account for an axle, two

spacers, and two shim washers.

„NOTE: It is advisable to loosen the front rail
support cap screws enough to gain clearance to
remove the front shock axle.

MS165A

MS166

MS167

7. Remove the lock nut and cap screw securing the

rear shock pivot/inner idler wheel assembly to the

slide rail.

MS169B

8. Move the assembly rearward far enough to gain

access to the front arm mounting bracket lock

nuts; then remove the cap screws and lock nuts

securing the brackets to the slide rails.

MS169A

INSPECTING

„NOTE: Whenever a part is worn excessively,
cracked, or damaged in any way, replacement is
necessary.

1. Inspect all front arm weldments for cracks or

unusual bends; then inspect the front arm mount-

ing brackets for cracks and for elongated holes.

2. Closely inspect all tubing for cracks or unusual

bends.

3. Inspect the bearings, bushings, and front arm spac-

ers for wear or damage.

4. Inspect the shock absorber for any signs of oil

leakage especially at the point where the shock

shaft enters the shock body.

5. Inspect the shock absorber eyelet welds (at each

end) for any cracks, signs of separation, or for

unthreading.

6. Inspect the shock absorber for damage.

INSTALLING

1. Install the front arm mounting brackets to the slide

rails. Secure with cap screws and lock nuts tight-

ened to 34 ft-lb.

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MS170

2. Move the rear shock pivot/inner idler wheel

assembly to the appropriate mounting location.

Secure with cap screws and lock nuts tightened to

40 ft-lb.

MS171

MS993

3. Install the axle into the lower shock eyelet bushing

assembly; then install the two spacers and the two

shim washers.

FC178

4. Place the front arm shock axle assembly into posi-

tion on the skid frame making sure the spacers and

washers are properly positioned. Secure with the

cap screw, washer, and a new lock nut. Tighten to

40 ft-lb.

„NOTE: If the front rail support cap screws were
loosened (after step 6 of removing), treat the
threads with blue Loctite #243 and tighten to 50 ft-
lb.

MS172

5. Position the front arm with spacers into the mount-

ing brackets. Secure with cap screws and lock

nuts. Tighten to 34 ft-lb.

MS173

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7

MS991

6. Secure the upper shock eyelet and serrated axle in

the appropriate mounting hole of the front arm

(standard arm mounting position). Secure with a

cap screw and lock nut. Tighten securely.

MS174

„NOTE: Do not over-tighten the shock absorber
cap screw as the shock eyelet must be free to
pivot.

7. Secure the limiter straps with cap screws, washers,

and lock nuts. Tighten to 10 ft-lb.

MS161A

8. Secure the front outer idler wheels to the idler

wheel mounting blocks with cap screws, flat

washers, shim washers (if applicable), axles, and

lock nuts. Tighten to 34 ft-lb.

MS133A

Rear Shock Absorber 

and Shock Links/

Front Inner Idler Wheel 

Assembly

„NOTE: Before removing the skid frame by using
the Rear Suspension Spring Tool, remove the
spring from the adjusting cam.

„NOTE: The skid frame must be removed for this
procedure (see Removing Skid Frame in this sub-
section).

DISASSEMBLING

„NOTE: When removing center components from
the skid frame, it is advisable to loosen all cap
screws/lock nuts from one side of the slide rail to
make removing easier.

1. Disengage the shock absorber at the upper eyelet

and remove the shock absorber. Account for a

sleeve, cap screw, lock nut, and bushings.

MS175A

! WARNING

Care must be taken when removing the spring from
the adjusting cam or damage or injury could result.