Snowmobile Arctic Cat (2008 year). Manual - part 141

7-124

ZJ266

„NOTE: It is advisable to tighten the rear idler
wheel axle only until snug until the skid frame has
been installed and track tension has been
adjusted; then the axle assembly must be tight-
ened to 20 ft-lb.

3. Install the skid frame (see Installing Skid Frame in

this sub-section).

4. Adjust track alignment (see Track Alignment in

this sub-section).

5. Adjust track tension deflection (see Track Tension

in this sub-section).

Front Arm Assembly

„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 cap screws and lock nuts securing the

limiter straps to the front arm. Account for flat

washers.

TZ027A

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 sleeve.

ZJ271A

3. Remove the cap screw and lock nut securing the

front arm to the slide rail.

TZ028A

4. Remove the front arm and account for the front

arm axle.

5. Remove the front outer idler wheel and mounting

block from the side of the slide rail in which the

front arm shock axle cap screw was installed.

FZ029A

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

the front shock axle; then from the side that the

idler wheel and mounting block was removed, tap

the assembly forward far enough for the axle

assembly to clear the slide rails. Account for an

axle, two spacers, and two shim washers.

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7

TZ029

TZ030

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 damage and 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.

INSTALLING

1. With the rubber bushing in place, install the axle

into the lower shock eyelet bushing assembly; then

install the two shim washers and two spacers.

CM246A

„NOTE: Applying a light film of lubricant to the
rubber bushing will aid in installing.

2. 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.

TZ031

3. On the side that the idler wheel and mounting

block were removed from, secure the mounting

block on the slide rail with a cap screw and lock

nut. Tighten to 20 ft-lb.

„NOTE: For proper alignment, it is advisable to
install an idler wheel cap screw and lock nut into
the top mounting block hole prior to tightening.

TZ025

4. Secure the idler wheel to the mounting block with a

cap screw and a lock nut. Tighten cap screw to 20

ft-lb.

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TZ026

5. Install the axle into the front arm; then position the

front arm to the mounting location of the slide rail.

Secure with cap screws and lock nuts. Tighten to

40 ft-lb.

TZ028A

6. Secure the upper shock eyelet and axle in the

mounting hole of the front arm. Secure with a cap

screw and lock nut. Tighten securely.

ZJ271A

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

7. Secure the limiter straps to the front arm with cap

screws, washers, and lock nuts. Tighten to 10 ft-lb.

TZ027A

Slide Rails

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

REMOVING

„NOTE: When it is necessary to replace one or
both slide rails, it is recommended that one slide
rail be removed at a time. The remaining slide rail
will then hold the crossbraces, axles, and brackets
in their correct assembly order. Always mark the
mounting hole locations during disassembly to
speed up the assembly process and to prevent any
damage. This method is much quicker than to
completely disassemble the entire skid frame. To
replace either rail, use the following procedure.

1. Remove the machine screw and lock nut securing

the wear strip to the front of the slide rail; then

using a suitable driving tool, drive the wear strip

rearward off the slide rail.

FZ026B

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7

„NOTE: If binding of the wear strip occurs, it may
be necessary to use a pipe wrench, start from
either end, and hook the edge of the wear strip
with the pipe wrench jaw and twist the wear strip
off the slide rail. Move the pipe wrench 7.5 cm (3
in.) and again twist the wear strip off the rail.
Repeat this procedure until the wear strip is free of
the rail.

2. Remove the end cap from the slide rail. Account

for a cap screw, lock nut, and two flat washers.

FZ079A

3. Remove the front arm limiter straps from the front

arm of the skid frame.

TZ027A

4. Remove the cap screws securing the two front rail

supports to the slide rail.

TZ032A

5. Remove the cap screws and lock nuts securing the

front outer idler wheel and the idler wheel mount-

ing block.

TZ033A

TZ034A

6. Remove the lock nut from the cap screw securing

the front shock axle assembly to the slide rail.

TZ035A

„NOTE: If it is necessary to remove the cap
screws from the front shock axle for replacing the
slide rail, remove the front outer idler wheel and
install the cap screw from the opposite side into
the assembly to secure components and aid in
replacing the slide rail.