Snowmobile Arctic Cat (2008 year). Manual - part 156

8-27

8

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

2. 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

the drag link.

3. Secure the steering tie rod to the steering post with

the lock nut and tighten to 35 ft-lb; then secure the

steering tie rod and left-side spindle tie rod to the

drag link with the cap screw and lock nut. Tighten

to 35 ft-lb.

4. Ensure correct handlebar/ski alignment (adjust

steering tie rod as necessary); then tighten the jam

nut (coated with blue Loctite #243) securely.

5. Place the rubber exhaust bumper into position on

the air silencer.

FS203A

6. Place gaskets on the resonator and exhaust mani-

fold; then install the expansion chamber. Secure

the chamber to manifold and upper frame with the

springs.

Ski Alignment

CHECKING

„NOTE: Track tension and alignment must be
properly adjusted prior to checking or adjusting
ski alignment. Ski alignment must be performed on
a flat, level surface. Ski toe-out must fall within the
range of 1.6- 6.4 mm (1/16-1/4 in.).

1. Raise the front end of snowmobile just high

enough to keep the skis from contacting the floor.

2. Turn the handlebar to the straight-ahead position.

Visually inspect the handlebar for being centered

and in the straight-ahead position.

„NOTE: At this point on Bearcat/Panther models,
the hole in the middle of the drag link should be
aligned with the notch (half moon shaped) in the
chassis. 

0734-407

„NOTE: On Bearcat/Panther models if the han-
dlebar is not in the straight-ahead position when
the hole in the middle of the drag link aligns with
the notch in the chassis, the steering tie rod must
be adjusted. When handlebar alignment is correct,
apply blue Loctite #243 to the jam nut threaded
area and tighten both jam nuts securely against
the steering tie rod.

3. With the handlebar in the straight-ahead position,

secure the handlebar to prevent the alignment from

becoming disturbed during the remainder of the

alignment procedure.

„NOTE: Track tension and alignment must be
properly adjusted prior to placing the straightedge
against the outside edge of the track.

4. Place a long straightedge against the outside edge

of the track so it lies near the inside edge of the

left-side ski.

729-887B

„NOTE: The straightedge should be long enough
to extend from the back of the track to the front of
the ski.

! WARNING

Neglecting to lock the tie rod by tightening the jam
nuts may cause loss of snowmobile control and pos-
sible personal injury.

8-28

5. Measure the distance from the straightedge to the

left-side ski wear bar bolts in two places: approxi-

mately 18-20 cm (7-8 in.)  in  front  of  the  spindle

and 18-20 cm (7-8 in.) behind the spindle. Record

the measurements taken for the left side.

729-887A

0734-408

6. Place the straightedge against the outside edge of

the track so it lies near the inside edge of the right-

side ski.

7. Measure the distance from the straightedge to the

right-side ski wear bar bolts in two places: 18-20

cm (7-8 in.) in front of the spindle and 18-20 cm

(7-8 in.) behind the spindle. Record the measure-

ments taken for the right side.

8. If ski alignment is not as specified, adjust the

alignment of the ski(s) not parallel to the straight-

edge.

ADJUSTING (Bearcat/Crossfire/
M-Series/Panther)

„NOTE: The following procedure can be used to
adjust the alignment of either ski.

1. On Bearcat/Panther models, remove the appropri-

ate steering boot.

2. Secure the idler tie rod (Crossfire/M-Series mod-

els) or secure the steering drag link (Bearcat/Pan-

ther) in the centered position.

3. Loosen both spindle tie rod jam nuts on the same

side as the ski to be aligned.

4. Using a wrench on the spindle tie rod “flats,”

rotate the spindle tie rod until recommended speci-

fication is attained.

5. Apply blue Loctite #243 to each jam nut thread

area; then lock the jam nuts against the spindle tie

rod.

„NOTE: Repeat this procedure on each side (if
necessary) until ski toe-out is within specification.

6. On Bearcat/Panther models, install the steering

boot.

ADJUSTING (F-Series/T-Series)

„NOTE: The following procedure can be used to
adjust the alignment of either ski.

To adjust ski alignment, use the following procedure.

1. Secure the steering tie rod in the centered position.

2. Loosen both spindle tie rod jam nuts on the same

side as the ski to be aligned.

3. Using a wrench on the spindle tie rod “flats,”

rotate the spindle tie rod until recommended speci-

fication is attained.

4. Apply blue Loctite #243 to each jam nut thread

area; then lock the jam nuts against the spindle tie

rod. Tighten securely.

„NOTE: Repeat this procedure on each side (if
necessary) until ski toe-out is within specification.

! WARNING

The measurement from the front and rear wear bar
bolts to the straightedge can be equal (ski parallel to
the track), but the front measurement must never be
less (ski toed-in) or poor handling will be experi-
enced. The front wear bar bolt measurement to the
straightedge must not exceed the measurement
from the rear wear bar bolt to the straightedge (ski
toed-out) by more than 3.9 mm (5/32 in.).

! WARNING

Neglecting to lock the tie rod by tightening the jam
nuts may cause loss of snowmobile control and pos-
sible personal injury.

! WARNING

Neglecting to lock the tie rod by tightening the jam
nuts may cause loss of snowmobile control and pos-
sible personal injury.

8-29

8

VERIFYING

1. With the handlebar in the straight-ahead position,

verify ski alignment by measuring across from the

outside edge of the left-side wear bar bolts to the

outside edge of the right-side wear bar bolts (with-

out using the straightedge) in two places: approxi-

mately 18-20 cm (7-8 in.)  in  front  of  the  spindle

and 18-20 cm (7-8 in.) behind the spindle.

2. The measurement from in front of the spindle to

the outer edge of the wear bar bolts (without using

the straightedge) must not exceed the rear mea-

surement by more than 1.6-6.4 mm (1/16-1/4 in.)

toe-out.

0734-408

Front

Suspension Arms 

(Bearcat/Panther)

REMOVING

1. Remove the expansion chamber if necessary.

2. Position the front of the snowmobile up onto a

safety stand.

3. Remove the lock nuts and cap screws securing the

shock absorber; then remove the shock absorber.

Account for all mounting hardware.

FS084C

4. Remove the cap screws and lock nuts securing the

spindle to the front suspension arms. Account for

all mounting hardware.

FS086A

5. Remove the screws and lock nut securing the skid

plate; then remove the skid plate.

AL144D

6. If applicable, remove the self-tapping screws

securing the steering boot to the front end.

7. Remove the cap screws and lock nuts securing the

suspension arms to the front end; then remove the

arms.

! WARNING

The measurement taken in front of the spindle must
never be less than the measurement taken behind
the spindle or poor handling will be experienced.
Neglecting to lock the tie rod by tightening the jam
nuts may cause loss of snowmobile control and pos-
sible personal injury.

8-30

INSPECTING

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

1. Inspect the arm welded areas for cracks or any

signs of deterioration.

2. Inspect the bearings and axles for wear or damage.

3. Inspect the arm tubing for signs of twisting or

bending.

INSTALLING

1. Place the suspension arms into position on the

front end and secure with the cap screws and lock

nuts. Tighten the upper arm cap screw and lock nut

to 30 ft-lb. Tighten the lower arm cap screw and

lock nut to 40 ft-lb.

2. If applicable, place the steering boot into position

on the front end. Secure with the self-tapping

screws.

3. Install the skid plate and secure with the screws,

washer, and lock nut.

AL144D

4. Accounting for mounting hardware, install the

spindle onto the suspension arms with the cap

screws, lock washers, and lock nuts. Tighten to 30

ft-lb.

FS086A

5. Place the shock absorber into position and secure

with two cap screws, washers, axles, spacers,

sleeves, and lock nuts. Tighten to 20 ft-lb.

AL157D

FS084C

6. Install and secure the expansion chamber if

removed.

Front

Suspension Arms

(Crossfire/M-Series)

REMOVING

1. Position the front of the snowmobile up onto a

safety stand.

2. Remove the ski.

3. Remove the Allen-head cap screw securing the tie

rod to the steering arm.

4. Remove the lock nuts and cap screws securing the

shock absorber; then remove the shock absorber.

Account for all mounting hardware.