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Snowmobile Arctic Cat (2006 year). Manual - part 17

MAINTENANCE

2. Using the deflection tool/screw-

d r i v e r / s p a r k p l u g w r e n c h

assembly, remove the sheave

adjuster from the end of the

driven pulley.

3. Place the shim washers and O-

ring (as noted in removing)

onto the sheave adjuster; then

carefully thread the sheave

adjuster back into the driven

pulley. Tighten the adjuster

securely using the deflection

tool/screwdriver/spark plug

wrench assembly.



NOTE: Do not over-tighten the

sheave adjuster. A torque value of
2 . 1 k g - m ( 1 5 f t - l b ) i s r e c o m -
mended.

4. Close the belt guard; then

install the driven pulley plug.

5. Release the brake lever lock.

TRACK TENSION

Track tension is directly related to

the overall performance of the

snowmobile. If the track is too

loose, it may slap against the tunnel

causing wear or it may “ratchet” on

t h e t r a c k d r i v e s p r o c k e t s . I f

extremely loose, the idler wheels

may climb over the track lugs forc-

ing the track against the tunnel caus-

ing the track to “lock.” Arctic Cat

recommends that the track tension

be checked daily during the first 300

miles of operation and once a week

thereafter and adjusted according to

need. The track will stretch and take

a “set” during break-in. Track

deflection must be maintained

within the recommended range.

Checking Track Tension

1. Remove excess ice and snow

buildup from the track, track

drive sprockets, and the inside

of the skid frame.

2. Place the snowmobile up on a

shielded safety stand. Check to

make sure the track is 5-8 cm

(2-3 in.) off the floor.

3. At mid-point of the track (on

the bottom side), hook a spring

scale around a track clip; then

pull down on the scale to the

recommended pressure. Mea-

sure the deflection (distance)

between the bottom of the wear

strip and the inside surface of

the track clip. Compare the

measurement with the chart.



NOTE: On King Cat models and

M-Series models, no pressure
should be applied to the track.

! WARNING

Never operate the snowmobile
without the belt guard secured
in place.

! WARNING

Track tension must be properly
maintained. Personal injur y
could result if a track is allowed
to become excessively loose.

! WARNING

DO NOT attempt to check or
adjust track tension with engine
running. Turn ignition key to the
OFF position. Personal injury
could result from contact with a
rotating track.

MAINTENANCE

729-429A



NOTE: On the M-Series, mea-

surement is from the bottom of
the wear strip at the point of the
shock pad on the slide rail.

Adjusting Track Tension

1. Loosen the rear idler wheel

adjusting bolt jam nuts.

0727-456

739-636A



NOTE: To ensure proper track

tension adjustment, perform all
adjustments on both sides of the
snowmobile.

2. If the deflection (distance

between the bottom of the wear

strip and the inside of the track)

exceeds specifications, tighten

the adjusting bolts to take up

excessive slack in the track.

3. If the distance between the bot-

tom of the wear strip and the

inside surface of the track is

less than specified, loosen the

adjusting bolts to increase the

slack in the track.

4. Check track alignment (see

Track Alignment section).

5. When proper track tension is

obtained, tighten the adjusting

bolt jam nuts against the axle

housings.

Model

Setup
Tension

After Break-In
Tension

Z/ZR Models
@ 20 lb

38-44 mm
(1 1/2-1 3/4 in.)

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

Panther Models
@ 20 lb

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

51-57 mm
(2-2 1/4 in.)

T660 Touring/
Turbo Touring
@ 20 lb

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

51-57 mm
(2-2 1/4 in.)

Turbo Trail/
Turbo ST
@ 20 lb

38-44 mm
(1 1/2-1 3/4 in.)

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

Bearcat Models
@ 20 lb

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

51-57 mm
(2-2 1/4 in.)

Firecat Models/
Sabercat (128
in. Track)
@ 20 lb

38-44 mm
(1 1/2-1 3/4 in.)

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

Crossfire
Models/
Sabercat EXT
@ 20 lb

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

51-57 mm
(2-2 1/4 in.)

King Cat
Models/
M-Series
Models
@ 0 lb

51-64 mm
(2-2 1/2 in.)
No pressure

MAINTENANCE



NOTE: Since track tension and

track alignment are interrelated,
always check both even if only
one adjustment seems neces-
sary.

TRACK ALIGNMENT

Proper track alignment is obtained

when the rear idler wheels are equal

distance from the inner track drive

lugs. Excessive wear to the idler

wheels, drive lugs, and track will

occur if the track is improperly

aligned. Arctic Cat recommends that

the track alignment be checked once

a week or whenever the track ten-

sion is adjusted.

Checking Track Alignment

1. Remove excess ice and snow

buildup from the track, track

drive sprockets, and the inside

of the skid frame.

2. Position the tips of the skis

against a wall; then using a

shielded safety stand, raise the

rear of the snowmobile off the

floor making sure the track is

free to rotate.

3. Start the engine and accelerate

slightly. Use only enough throt-

tle to turn the track several rev-

olutions. SHUT ENGINE OFF.



NOTE: Allow the track to coast

to a stop. DO NOT apply the brake
because it could produce an inac-
curate alignment condition.

4. When the track stops rotating,

check the relationship of the

rear idler wheels and the inner

track drive lugs. If the rear idler

wheels are centered between

the inner track drive lugs, no

adjustment is necessary.

0727-729

! WARNING

If jam nuts are not tightened
properly, the adjusting bolts
could loosen causing the track
to become extremely loose and,
under some operating condi-
tions, allow the idler wheels to
climb over the track lugs forcing
the track against the tunnel
causing the track to “lock.” If a
track “locks” during operation,
severe personal injury could
result.

! WARNING

Make sure the ignition key is in
the OFF position and the track
is not rotating before checking
or adjusting track alignment.
Personal injury could result if
contact is made with a rotating
track.

! WARNING

The tips of the skis must be
positioned against a wall or
similar object.

! WARNING

DO NOT stand behind the snow-
m o b i l e o r n e a r t h e rot a t i n g
track. NEVER run the track at
high speed when the track is
suspended.

MAINTENANCE

0739-637

5. If the idler wheels are not cen-

tered between the inner track

drive lugs, an adjustment is

necessary.

Adjusting Track Alignment

1. On the side of the track which

has the inner track drive lugs

closer to the rear idler wheel,

loosen the adjusting bolt jam

nut; then rotate the adjusting

bolt clockwise 1 to 1 1/2 turns.

0727-456

739-636A

2. Check track alignment and con-

tinue adjustment until proper

alignment is obtained.



NOTE: Make sure correct track

t e n s i o n i s m a i n t a i n e d a f t e r
adjusting track alignment (see
Track Tension section).

3. After proper track alignment is

obtained, tighten the adjusting

bolt jam nut against the axle

housing.

4. Field test the track under actual

conditions.

5. After the field test, check the

alignment of the track. If addi-

tional adjustment is necessary,

repeat Adjusting Track Align-

ment procedure.

SUSPENSION

The suspension should be adjusted

for the operational needs and riding

preference of the operator.
The front shock springs determine

the amount of ski pressure and the

reaction of the front suspension to

rough terrain. The amount of ski

pressure can also be changed by

adjusting the length of the skid

frame front arm limiter straps.
The rear springs influence the load

carrying capability of the snowmo-

bile and should be adjusted for the

weight and riding preference of the

operator.

Adjusting Front Shock Springs
(STD)



NOTE: On some models, the

f r o n t s h o c k s p r i n g s a r e n o t
adjustable.

! WARNING

If a jam nut is not tightened
p roperly, the adjusting b olt
could loosen causing the track
to become dangerously loose.

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