Snowmobile Arctic Cat (2008 year). Manual - part 158

8-35

8

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 dam-

age.

3. Inspect the arm tubing for signs of twisting or

bending.

INSTALLING UPPER ARMS

1. With the axles properly installed as noted during

removing, install the upper arms to the chassis;

then secure the arms with the cap screws and lock

nuts. Tighten to 32 ft-lb.

2. With the axle installed in the spindle, secure the

upper arms to the spindle with the cap screw and

lock nut. Tighten to 32 ft-lb.

REMOVING LOWER A-ARM

„NOTE: To remove the lower A-arms, it will be
necessary to remove the air silencer. Proceed to
Air-Intake Silencer (Liquid-Cooled F-Series/T-
Series Models) sub-section in Section 4 and follow
REMOVING procedure.

1. Elevate the front of the snowmobile with a suitable

safety stand or lift.

2. Remove the cap screw and lock nut securing the

shock absorber to the spindle; then remove the

shock from the spindle and account for the shock

sleeve.

3. Remove the four torx-head cap screws securing

the lower A-arm bearing cap to the spindle; then

remove the cap and lower arm from the spindle.

ZJ174A

4. Secure the upper arms and spindle out of the way;

then remove the sway bar/link from the lower arm.

0742-219

5. Remove the cap screws and lock nuts securing the

lower A-arm to the chassis; then remove the arm

from the sway bar and chassis and account for the

axles.

„NOTE: For installing purposes, note the posi-
tion of the axle shoulders.

ZJ168A

6. If applicable using a flat-blade screwdriver, pry

the split bearings from the spindle axle of the A-

arm.

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

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 dam-

age.

3. Inspect the arm tubing for signs of twisting or

bending.

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INSTALLING LOWER A-ARM

1. If removed, install new split bearings onto the

shaft of the lower A-arm; then using a suitable pli-

ers, evenly compress the bearing until it is prop-

erly fitted to the shaft.

2. Install the lower A-arm into the sway bar link and

with the axles properly installed as noted in

removing, place the arm into position in the chas-

sis.

„NOTE: When installing the lower A-arm, posi-
tion the shock absorber to the inside of the spindle
axle before securing the arm to the chassis.

ZJ175

3. Install the cap screws and lock nuts securing the

A-arm to the chassis; then tighten to 32 ft-lb.

„NOTE: When installing the rear cap screw of the
A-arm, keep the cap screw approximately 1/2 in.
out from being fully installed. This will allow for
easier installation of the lock nut.

4. Install the sway bar/link to the lower A-arm.

5. 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

6. Install the shock absorber to the spindle; then

install the cap screw and lock nut. Tighten to 32 ft-

lb.

„NOTE: To finalize the installing of the lower A-
arms, proceed to Air-Intake Silencer (Liquid-
Cooled F-Series/T-Series Models) sub-section in
Section 4 and follow the INSTALLING procedure. 

Front Suspension (Ski)

Shock Absorber

REMOVING

1. Position the front of the snowmobile up onto a

safety stand taking all pressure off the skis.

2. Remove the cap screws securing the shock

absorber to the front end assembly and spindle;

then remove the shock absorber. Account for all

mounting hardware.

„NOTE: Note the number of threads exposed
between the spring adjuster and shock housing for
installing purposes.

3. Using the Shock Spring Removal Tool, remove

the spring from the shock body by compressing

the spring; then remove the spring retainer from

the top of the spring. Inspect the shock absorber by

quickly compressing and extending the shock

plunger while firmly holding the shock body.

Resistance must be felt in both directions.

CLEANING AND INSPECTING

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

1. Inspect the shock absorber seal area for signs of

excessive oil leakage.

2. Inspect the shock absorber mounting eyelet, bush-

ings, and sleeve for wear or damage.

3. Inspect the threaded shock sleeve for damage or

wear. Clean the sleeve and apply a light coat of

grease to the threads before installing.

INSTALLING

1. Using the shock spring tool, place the spring on

the shock absorber and secure with the retainer.

2. Adjust the retainer nut (spring adjuster) (if appli-

cable) until the specified amount of threads are

exposed between the spring adjuster and the shock

housing (noted in removing) as an initial setting.

3. Install the bushings, sleeves, and spacers into each

shock end; then place the shock absorber into posi-

tion. Install both cap screws from the front.

Tighten the lock nuts to 20 ft-lb (Bearcat/Panther/

Crossfire/M-Series) or 32 ft-lb (F-Series/T-Series).

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8

Sway Bar

(F-Series/T-Series)

REMOVING

1. Remove the two lock nuts securing the sway bar

mounting brackets to the chassis; then using a soft

hammer, tap the sway bar in either direction until

the sway bar link is off the pin on the A-arm.

0742-219

2. Slide the sway bar out of the chassis.

INSPECTING

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

1. Inspect the sway bar for any signs of twisting,

fatigue, or wear.

2. Inspect the sway bar links for cracks or damage.

INSTALLING

1. Place the sway bar into position in the chassis;

then install the sway bar links to each end of the

sway bar and position the links onto the pins of the

A-arms.

2. With the sway bar properly positioned in the chas-

sis, install the sway bar mounting brackets and

secure the brackets with the lock nuts and tighten

to 20 ft-lb.

Front Suspension 

Mounting Bracket

(F-Series/T-Series)

„NOTE: To remove the front suspension mount-
ing bracket, it will be necessary to remove the air
silencer. Proceed to Air-Intake Silencer (Liquid-
Cooled F-Series/T-Series Models) sub-section in
Section 4 and follow REMOVING procedure.

REMOVING

„NOTE: For the following procedure, refer to
illustration on the following page.

1. Remove the lock nut (A) securing the steering post

to the suspension mounting bracket.

2. Remove the cap screw and lock nut (B) securing

the steering tie rod and spindle tie rod to the drag

link.

3. Remove the lock nuts (C) securing the two sway

bar mounting brackets to the suspension mounting

bracket; then remove the brackets.

4. Remove the sway bar/links (D) from the pins of

the left-side/right-side lower A-arms.

5. Remove all cap screws and lock nuts correspond-

ing to (E) securing the left-side lower A-arm and

the left-side upper A-arms to the suspension

mounting bracket.

„NOTE: At this point, remove all cap screws and
lock nuts corresponding to (E) securing the right-
side upper A-arms and lower A-arm to the suspen-
sion mounting bracket. 

6. Move the arms away from the bracket and account

for the axles (F).

7. Remove the lock nut from the cap screw (G)

securing the left-side shock absorber to the shock

mounting frame; then remove the cap screw and

remove the left-side steering/suspension compo-

nents.

8. Remove the cap screws and lock nuts (H) securing

the two steering arms to the suspension mounting

bracket.

9. Remove the lock nuts and cap screws (I) securing

the two shock absorber mounting frames to the

suspension mounting bracket; then remove the

four lock nuts and cap screws (J) securing the

shock mounting frames to the front upper frame.

„NOTE: Remove the lock nut from the cap screw
corresponding to (G) - left-side securing the right-
side shock absorber to the shock mounting frame;
then remove the cap screw and slide the right-side
steering/suspension assembly out of the suspen-
sion mounting bracket. Account for the axles and
the shock absorber sleeve.

„NOTE: For installing purposes, note the number
of washers between the steering post and suspen-
sion mounting bracket before removing the
bracket.

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741-940B