Snowmobile Arctic Cat (2008 year). Manual - part 155

8-23

8

INSPECTING

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

1. Inspect the spindle for excessive wear, cracks,

bends, or imperfections.

2. Inspect all welds for cracking.

3. Inspect the suspension arm bushings and axle area

for wear.

4. Secure the spindle in a vise. Rotate the spindle

clockwise and counterclockwise. The movement

should be smooth and free. If the spindle move-

ment is rough or binding, grease the spindle with a

good low-temperature grease. Rotate the spindle.

If the movement remains rough, replace the spin-

dle.

„NOTE: When greasing the spindle, use enough
grease so it can be seen coming out at both the
top and bottom of the spindle.

5. Inspect the spindle axle and bearings for wear,

damage, or loose fit. Replace the bearings as a set.

6. Inspect the tie-rod ball joint in place. If damage,

wear, or unusual bends are noted, loosen the jam

nut; then remove the ball joint from the tie rod.

„NOTE: Replacing the ski bolt bushings is diffi-
cult. The existing bushings will be damaged during
removal. Be careful, however, not to damage the
spindle when removing the bushing. Press the
new bushings into the spindle.

INSTALLING

1. Place the upper arm end (with axle) into position

in the spindle. Secure with cap screw and lock nut.

Tighten only until snug.

2. Install new split bearings onto the shaft of the

lower A-arm; then using a suitable pliers, evenly

compress the bearing until it is properly fitted to

the shaft.

ZJ175A

„NOTE: The split bearings cannot be reused;
they must be replaced with new ones.

3. Position the spindle into the lower A-arm; then

install the bearing cap and secure the cap to the

spindle with the four torx-head cap screws.

Tighten to 20 ft-lb.

ZJ174A

4. With the shock sleeve in place, align the lower

shock eyelet with the mounting hole in the spindle;

then secure with the cap screw, optional washers,

and lock nut. Tighten to 32 ft-lb.

ZJ173A

5. At this point, tighten the lock nut (from step 1) to

32 ft-lb.

ZJ173B

6. Install the spindle into the spindle housing; then

with the correct number of thrust washers (as

noted in removing and with the space (A) in the

splines of the spindle aligned with the slot (B) in

the steering arm, install the steering arm.

8-24

ZJ177

ZJ295A

7. Install the cap screw securing the steering arm to

the spindle; then tighten to 40 ft-lb.

ZJ176A

8. Install the snap ring and spindle cap.

ZJ172

9. Place the steering tie-rod ball joint into position on

the steering arm as noted during removing and

secure with a lock nut. Tighten to 30 ft-lb; then

install the tie rod cap.

10. Install the ski and tighten to 26 ft-lb.

11. Remove the safety stand from beneath the front

end.

Steering Tie Rod

 

(Bearcat/Panther)

REMOVING

1. Remove the screws securing the skid plate; then

remove the skid plate.

„NOTE: The front machine screw on some mod-
els is secured with a washer and lock nut.

AL144D

2. Remove the cotter pins, cap screws, and slotted

nuts securing the steering tie rod to the steering

post and steering arm; then remove the tie-rod

assembly.

AL089

3. Loosen the jam nuts securing the ball joints to the

steering tie rod; then remove the ball joints.

8-25

8

INSPECTING

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

1. Inspect the ball joints for damaged threads or

wear.

2. Inspect the tie rod for damage, unusual bends, or

wear.

INSTALLING

1. Position the handlebar in the straight-ahead posi-

tion; then position the skis straight ahead.

2. Thread the jam nuts onto the ball joints; then equally

thread the ball joints onto the steering tie rod.

„NOTE: There must be an approximate equal
number of threads exposed on each ball joint.

3. Place the tie-rod assembly into position; then

rotate the steering tie rod until the holes in the ball

joints align with the holes in the steering post and

steering arm.

4. Ensure correct handlebar/ski alignment (adjust

steering tie rod as necessary); then apply blue Loc-

tite #243 to the jam nut threaded area and tighten

securely.

5. Secure the tie-rod assembly to the steering post

and steering arm with the two cap screws (coated

with green Loctite #609), washers, and slotted

nuts. Tighten to 30 ft-lb; then install the cotter pins

and spread the cotter pins.

AL089

6. Install the skid plate; then secure with screws.

„NOTE: The front machine screw on some mod-
els is secured with a washer and lock nut.

AL144D

Steering Tie Rod

 

(Crossfire/M-Series)

REMOVING

1. Remove the cap screw and lock nut securing the

steering tie rod to the steering post. 

FC202

2. Remove the cap screw and lock nut securing the

steering tie rod to the upper arm of the steering

shaft. Account for the washer. 

FC206

! WARNING

Neglecting to lock the jam nuts against the tie rod
may cause loss of snowmobile control and possible
personal injury.

8-26

INSPECTING

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

1. Inspect the ball joints for damaged threads or

wear. 

2. Inspect the tie rod for damage, unusual bends, or

wear.

INSTALLING

„NOTE: There must be an approximate equal
number of threads exposed on each ball joint.

1. Place the steering tie rod into position on the

upper arm of the steering shaft. Secure with the

cap screw (coated with green Loctite #609),

washer, and lock nut. Tighten the lock nut to 30

ft-lb.

FC206

2. Place the steering tie rod into position on the steer-

ing post. Secure with the cap screw coated with

green Loctite #609 and lock nut. Tighten lock nut

to 30 ft-lb.

FC205

Steering Tie Rod

(F-Series/T-Series)

REMOVING

1. Remove the springs securing the expansion cham-

ber; then remove the expansion chamber from the

engine compartment. Account for the two gaskets

and the rubber exhaust bumper.

FS203A

2. Remove the lock nut securing the steering tie rod

to the steering post; then remove the cap screw and

lock nut securing the left-side spindle tie rod and

steering tie rod to the drag link.

FS260A

INSPECTING

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

1. Inspect the ball joints for damaged threads or

wear.

2. Inspect the tie rod for damage, unusual bends, or

wear.

INSTALLING

1. Thread the jam nuts onto the ball joints; then

equally thread the ball joints onto the steering tie

rod.