Snowmobile Arctic Cat (2007 year). Manual - part 114

9-71

9

0739-642

Installing Skid Frame

1. Place a piece of cardboard on the floor to protect

against scratching and tip the snowmobile onto

one side.

2. Pull the track away from the tunnel and spread

open; then place the skid frame into the track.

3. Position the front of the skid frame into the tun-

nel and align the front arm with the appropriate

mounting hole in the tunnel. Insert the cap screw

with washers through the tunnel mounting hole

and through the front arm. DO NOT TIGHTEN

AT THIS TIME. Repeat this procedure on the

other side.

739-992A

„ NOTE: To aid in centering the front arm with the
hole in the tunnel, position the skid frame and
track at a 45° angle to the bottom of the tunnel.

4. Elevate the rear of the skid frame and the track

into position in the tunnel.

5. Align the pivot idler arm assembly with the

appropriate hole in the tunnel. Secure the pivot

idler arm assembly with a cap screw, lock

washer, and flat washer. DO NOT TIGHTEN

AT THIS TIME.

„ NOTE: Do not install the short legs of the rear
springs onto the adjusting cams at this time.

6. At this time, tighten all four skid frame mount-

ing cap screws securely.

7. Using the Rear Suspension Spring Tool (p/n

0144-311), install the short legs of the rear

springs onto the adjusting cams making sure the

cams are in the same adjustment positions.

8. Tighten the two track tension adjusting bolt

evenly until track deflection is within specifica-

tions; then lock the jam nuts to secure the adjust-

ment.

9. Check track tension deflection and alignment;

adjust if necessary (see Track Tension and Track

Alignment in this sub-section).

Track Tension

CHECKING DEFLECTION

1. Tip the snowmobile on its side.

! WARNING

The spring brackets must be adjusted equally.
Improper adjustment of the spring brackets may
result in binding in the articulating suspension.
Upon completing the adjustment, there must be at
least two full threads behind the lock nuts.

! CAUTION

When installing the skid frame, make sure the rear
arm shock mounting location on the pivot/axle is
positioned correctly above the axle or component
damage will occur.

! WARNING

Deactivate all switches.

9-72

2. Hook a spring scale around a track clip at mid-

span; then pull the track down with the scale to 9

kg (20 lb) and measure the distance between the

bottom of the wear strip and the inside surface

of the track. Track deflection must be within

specifications.

729-429A

„ NOTE: If the track is new, it will stretch slightly
and take a “set” within the first 300 to 500 miles of
operation.

ADJUSTING DEFLECTION

1. Place the snowmobile up on a shielded safety

stand. Check to make sure the track is 2-3 in. off

the floor.

2. If the measurement is not as specified, loosen

the jam nuts of the adjusting bolts.

0727-456

3. If the measurement obtained in step 2 is more

than specified, tighten the adjusting bolts. If the

measurement obtained is less than specified,

loosen the adjusting bolts. When the measure-

ment is within specification range, lock the

adjustment by bottoming the jam nuts against

the axle housings.

„ NOTE: If the track tension must be loosened, it
may be necessary to loosen the rear axle assem-
bly slightly.

„ NOTE: Vigorously push the underside of the
track up and down. Track must not hit the top of
the tunnel or slap the skid frame.

4. After correct track tension is obtained, check

track alignment (see Track Alignment in this

sub-section).

„ NOTE: Track tension and track alignment are
interrelated; always check both even if only one
adjustment seems necessary. Always establish
correct track tension before checking and/or
adjusting alignment.

Track Alignment

„ NOTE: Proper track alignment is when the rear
idler wheels are equidistant from the inner drive
lugs on the inside surface of the track.

CHECKING

1. Using a shielded safety stand, raise the rear of

the snowmobile off the floor making sure the

track is free to rotate.

2. Start the engine and accelerate slightly. Use only

enough throttle to rotate the track several revo-

lutions. SHUT THE ENGINE OFF.

„ NOTE: Allow the track to coast to a stop. Do not
apply the brake because it could produce inaccu-
rate alignment conditions.

Rear Suspension 

Style

Setup

Tension

After Break-In 

Tension

FasTrack w/Torque 
Sensing Link
(136 in. Track)

44-51 mm
(1 3/4-2 in.)

51-57 mm
(2-2 1/4 in.)

FasTrack w/Torque 
Sensing Link
(156 in. Track)

44-51 mm
(1 3/4-2 in.)

51-57 mm
(2-2 1/4 in.)

! CAUTION

After proper track tension and alignment have been
attained, make certain that the rear axle assembly is
tightened to specifications or component damage
will occur.

! WARNING

The tips of the skis must be positioned against a
wall or similar object for safety. Keep hands, feet,
and clothing away from moving components.

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9

3. When the track stops rotating, check the rela-

tionship of the rear idler wheels and the inner

track drive lugs. If the distance from the idler

wheels to the inner drive lugs is the same on

both sides, no adjustment is necessary.

725-070A

4. On the side of the track, which has the inner

drive lugs closer to the rear idler wheel, loosen

the adjusting bolt jam nut; then rotate the adjust-

ing bolt clockwise 1-1 1/2 turns.

5. Continue to check the track alignment and make

the necessary adjustments until proper align-

ment is obtained.

6. After proper track alignment is obtained, lock

the jam nut against the axle housing.

„ NOTE: Make sure correct track tension is main-
tained after adjusting track alignment.

„ NOTE: Field test the track under actual condi-
tions and after the field test, check track alignment
and track tension; adjust as necessary.

Repair Procedure 3 -

Track/Rear Suspension

This Track/Rear Suspension sub-section (Repair

Procedure 3) has been organized so each procedure

can be completed individually and efficiently. Each

sub-section has (as necessary) Removing, Disas-

sembling, Cleaning and Inspecting, Assembling,

and Installing procedures. Some components may

vary from model to model. The technician should

use discretion and sound judgment when removing

and installing components.

„ NOTE: Critical torque specifications are located
on page 140 of this section.

„ NOTE: Some illustrations and photographs used
in this sub-section are used for clarity purposes
only and are not designed to depict actual condi-
tions.

„ NOTE: If tipped on its side in excess of a 70°
angle (or upside down at all) without the oil hose
being clamped off, return the snowmobile to the
upright position and immediately see Tipped
Snowmobile (660 cc) sub-section in Section 1 of
this manual for proper procedure to follow.

Removing

Skid Frame

„ NOTE: Many service procedures can be per-
formed without removing the skid frame. Closely
observe the note introducing each sub-section for
this important information.

1. To avoid having the adjuster bushings binding

when loosening the track, remove the rear idler

wheel caps and loosen the cap screws on the rear

axle.

FS082A

2. Loosen the jam nuts and two track-tension

adjusting bolts.

! CAUTION

After proper track tension and alignment have been
attained, make certain that the rear axle assembly is
tightened to specifications or component damage
will occur.

! CAUTION

In this section, it will be necessary to tip the 660 cc
snowmobile on its side for accessing some compo-
nents; however, if a 660 cc model must be tipped in
excess of a 70° angle for servicing purposes, use a
suitable clamping device to clamp off the oil hose
next to the valve cover inlet to prevent oil from seep-
ing into the upper engine through the air-intake sys-
tem. Severe engine damage could result if the engine
is run with oil in the upper engine. Care must be
taken to remove the clamping device after servicing. 

9-74

MS062A

3. Place a support stand under the rear bumper;

then while holding the flared bushing, remove

the rear cap screws securing the skid frame to

the tunnel. Account for lock washers and flat

washers.

„ NOTE: The support stand should hold the snow-
mobile level but not raised off the floor.

4. Remove the front cap screws securing the skid

frame to the tunnel. Account for a flat washer

and a lock washer.

5. Remove the support stand; then tip the snow-

mobile onto one side using a piece of cardboard

to protect against scratching. Remove the skid

frame.

MS001

Wear Strips

REMOVING

„ NOTE: The skid frame does not have to be
removed for this procedure; however, if wear strip
binding or slide rail damage has occured, the skid
frame should be removed for this procedure (see
Removing Skid Frame in this sub-section).

1. Remove the machine screw and lock nut secur-

ing the wear strip to the front of the slide rail.

MS016B

„ NOTE: If the skid frame has been removed due to
difficulty in removing the wear strip, it may be nec-
essary 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 proce-
dure until the wear strip is free of the rail.

2. Align the wear strip with the openings (win-

dows) in the track; then using a suitable driving

tool, drive the wear strip rearward off the slide

rail.

739-884A

CLEANING AND INSPECTING

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

1. Clean the slide rail using parts-cleaning solvent

and compressed air.

2. Inspect the slide rail for cracks. If any cracks are

found, replace the slide rail.

! WARNING

Always wear an approved pair of safety glasses
when using compressed air.