Snowmobile Polaris 550 Transport Trail Touring. Manual - part 25

98

MAINTENANCE

Track

 

Track Tension

Track adjustment is critical for proper handling. Always maintain cor-

rect tension and alignment. 

NOTE: Tension adjustments should be made only after the track is 

warmed up and limber.

1. Turn the engine off.
2. Lift the rear of the machine and safely support it off the ground.
3. Place the recommended weight or downward pressure on the track 

at the specified distance (see chart) ahead of the center of the rear 

idler wheel.

NOTE: Measure at the point where the weight is hanging.

WARNING

Moving parts can cut and crush body parts. When performing the checks and 

adjustments recommended on the following pages, stay clear of all moving 

parts. Never perform track measurement or adjustments with the engine run-

ning.

TRACK TENSION DATA CHART

Suspension

Weight

Measurement 

Location

Slack 

Measurement

EDGE 136

10 lbs. (4.54 kg)

16

I

 ahead of 

rear idler shaft

1 1/8

I

-1 3/8

I

(2.9-3.5 cm)

99

MAINTENANCE

Track

Track Tension

4. Check for specified slack between the wear surface of the track clip 

and the plastic slider. Refer to the Track Tension Data Chart on page 

98. 

If the track needs adjustment:

5. Loosen the rear idler 

shaft bolts.

6. Loosen the locknuts. 
7. Tighten or loosen the 

track adjusting 

screws to provide 

equal adjustment on 

both sides of the 

track.

8. Repeat the measure-

ment on the other 

side of the track.

NOTE: Check more fre-

quently when 

the machine is 

new.

9. Start the machine and slowly rotate the track at least five revolu-

tions. Let the track come to a stop (do not apply brakes).

10. Check track alignment (see page 100) and adjust as necessary.
11. Tighten the locknuts.
12. Tighten the idler shaft bolts. 
13. (

n

) Torque idler shaft bolts to 35 ft. lbs. (47.5 Nm).

S

Slack

Measurement

Adjusting

Screw

Locknut

Shaft Bolt

Track

10 lbs. (4.54 kg)

16

I

 (40 cm)

100

MAINTENANCE

Track

n

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 (+) 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.

+

101

MAINTENANCE

Steering System

n

Rail Slide Wear

For ease of inspection, all 

Polaris rail slides have a 

wear limit indicator groove 

to indicate the minimum 

permissible slide thickness.  

Replace the rail slides if 

they are worn to the top of 

the groove at any point 

along their length.  Failure 

to do so may result in per-

manent damage to the track 

or rails.

Steering Inspection and Adjustment

Each week, or before a long ride, check all steering system fasteners and 

tighten if necessary.

Minimum 

Thickness

Replace when 

worn to top of 

groove

EDGE IFS

+

+

+

+

+

+