Snowmobile Polaris 550 IQ Shift / 550 IQ 136 / 550 IQ LXT (2013 year). Manual - part 22

90

MAINTENANCE

Track Maintenance

Track Alignment

Periodically check that the track is centered and running evenly on the 
slide rails.  Misalignment will cause excessive wear to the track and 
slide rail.

1. Safely support the rear of the machine with the track off the ground.

2. Start the engine and apply a small amount of throttle until the track 

turns slowly at least five complete revolutions.  Stop the engine and 
let the track come to a stop (do not apply brakes).  

3. Inspect track alignment by 

looking through the track 
window to make sure the 
rails (X) are evenly spaced 
on each side. If the track 
runs to the left, loosen the 
idler shaft bolts, then 
loosen the left locknut and 
tighten the left adjusting 
bolt. If the track runs to the 
right, loosen the idler shaft 
bolts, then loosen the right 
locknut and tighten the 
right adjusting bolt.

4. After adjustments are com-

plete, tighten the locknuts 
and torque idler shaft bolts 
to 35 ft. lbs. (47.5 Nm).

5. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to verify proper alignment.

X

91

MAINTENANCE

Steering System

Steering Inspection and Adjustment

Each week, or before a long ride, check all steering system fasteners and 
tighten if necessary.

X

X

X

X

X

92

MAINTENANCE

Steering System

Ski Alignment

WARNING! Improper ski alignment or adjustment may cause loss of steering 
control, resulting in serious injury or death. Do not attempt to change the ski 
alignment or camber adjustment. See your POLARIS dealer.

1. Place the handlebars in a straight-ahead position.

2. With only vehicle weight compressing the suspension, measure 10 

inches (25.4 cm) forward from the center of the ski mounting bolt. 
See illustration. At this point, measure between the skis. This is 
measurement X.

3. Perform the same measurement rearward from the center of the ski 

mounting bolt. This is measurement Y.

4. The X measurement should be 1/8-1/4 inch (3-6 mm) greater than 

the Y measurement. If the skis are misaligned, see your dealer for 
alignment correction as camber adjustment may also be affected.

X

Y

10 in. 

(25.4 cm)

10 in. 

(25.4 cm)

93

MAINTENANCE

Steering System

Ski Skags

See your dealer's studding chart for recommended skags. If you install 
longer or more aggressive carbide skags than the original equipment, it 
may also be necessary to add track studs to maintain proper vehicle con-
trol while turning on hard-packed snow or ice.

WARNING! Worn skis and/or skags will adversely affect handling. Loss of 
vehicle control may result, causing serious injury or death.

Check skags before each use of the snowmobile to ensure positive steer-
ing characteristics. Skags must be replaced when worn to half their orig-
inal diameter. 

Tip: Carbide skags must be replaced if any abnormal wear or chipping is found.

Skag Replacement

1. Raise and support the front of 

the machine so the skis are 
approximately 6 inches (15.2 
cm) from the ground.

2. Remove the attaching nuts 

and pry the skag downward.

3. Remove the rear end of the 

skag.

4. Remove the front end of the 

skag.

5. Reverse the steps to install a 

skag.