Snowmobile Arctic Cat (2004 year). Manual - part 141

9-80

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 tunnel

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.

739-204A

„

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 offset pivot idler arm assembly with the

appropriate hole in the tunnel. Secure the offset
pivot idler arm assembly with a cap screw (coated
with red Loctite #271), 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 mounting

cap screws to 3.2 kg-m (23 ft-lb).

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 specifications; then
lock the jam nuts to secure the adjustment.

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.

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 specifi-
cations.

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.

! 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.

Rear Suspension 

Style

Setup

Tension

After Break-In 

Tension

FasTrack w/Torque 

Sensing Link

(121 in. Track)

32-38 mm

1 1/4-1 1/2 in.)

38-44 mm

(1 1/2-1 3/4 in.)

FasTrack w/Torque 

Sensing Link

(136 in., 144 in., 151 

in., 159 in., 162 in. 
Track)

38-44 mm

(1 1/2-1 3/4 in.)

50.8-57.2 mm

(2-2 1/4 in.)

9-81

9

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 mea-
surement obtained is less than specified, loosen
the adjusting bolts. When the measurement is
within specification range, lock the adjustment by
bottoming the jam nuts against the axle housings.

„

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-sec-
tion).

„

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 revolu-
tions. 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.

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

ship 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 adjusting
bolt clockwise 1-1 1/2 turns.

5. Continue to check the track alignment and make

the necessary adjustments until proper alignment
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.

! 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.

9-82

Repair Procedure 3 - 

Track/Rear Suspension

This Track/Rear Suspension sub-section (Repair Pro-
cedure 3) has been organized so each procedure can be
completed individually and efficiently. Each sub-sec-
tion has (as necessary) Removing, Disassembling,
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 compo-
nents.

„

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.

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. Loosen the axle nut and the two track-tension

adjusting bolts.

„

NOTE: It will be necessary to access the adjust-

ing bolts through a “track window.”

.

FC149

FC150

2. Place a support stand under the rear bumper; then

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.

3. Remove the front cap screws and lock nuts secur-

ing the skid frame to the tunnel. Account for a flat
washer and a lock washer.

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

mobile onto the left side using a piece of card-
board to protect against scratching. Remove the
skid frame.

„

NOTE: Avoid tipping the snowmobile onto the

right side. If left on the right side for more than five
minutes, air may get into the oil line. If air is appar-
ent in an oil hose, the system will eventually have
to be bled (see Section 4 - Bleeding Oil-Injection
System).

.

FC155

9-83

9

Wear Strips

REMOVING

„

NOTE: It is possible to remove and install a wear

strip without removing the skid frame. To do this,
remove the machine screw and lock nut securing
the wear strip at the front of the slide rail; then
align the wear strip with openings (windows) in the
track and drive it rearward off the slide rail. Apply
low-temperature grease to the new wear strip and
slide rail; then align the wear strip with openings
(windows) in the track and drive it forward onto the
slide rail. Secure with the machine screw and lock
nut.

„

NOTE: 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 securing

the wear strip to the front of the slide rail.

.

AG504D

2. Using a pipe wrench and starting from either end,

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
procedure until the wear strip is free of the rail.

„

NOTE: The wear strip can also be driven off the

slide rail; however, it is quicker to use a pipe
wrench.

.

AG505D

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.

.

AG529D

3. Using a straightedge, inspect the slide rail for any

unusual bends. Place the straightedge along the
bottom surface of the slide rail. If the rail is found
to be bent, it must be replaced.

! WARNING

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