Snowmobile Arctic Cat (2004 year). Manual - part 148

9-108

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. Secure the rear arm to the tunnel with a cap screw

(coated with red Loctite #271); then tip the snow-
mobile onto the opposite side, align the front arm
with the appropriate mounting hole in the tunnel,
and install the cap screw (coated with red Loctite
#271). 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 skid frame mounting cap

screws to 4.2 kg-m (30 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 bolts

evenly until track deflection is within specifica-
tions; then lock the jam nuts to secure the adjust-
ment.

9. Tighten the axle nut (threads coated with blue

Loctite #243) to 4.2 kg-m (30 ft-lb).

10. 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.

„

NOTE: Avoid tipping the Firecat models 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 2 - Bleeding Oil-Injection
System).

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 clip. 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.

„

NOTE: The axle nut must be loosened for this

procedure.

! WARNING

If the axle nut is not tightened properly, the adjust-
ing bolts could loosen causing the track to become
dangerously loose.

! WARNING

Deactivate all switches.

Rear Suspension 

Style

Setup

Tension

After Break-in 

Tension

FasTrack
(128 in. Track)

25-32 mm

(1-1 1/4 in.)

32-38 mm

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

FasTrack
(144 in. Track)

38-44 mm

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

50.8-57.2 mm

(2-2 1/4 in.)

9-109

9

737-312B

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.

737-313A

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.

7. Tighten the axle nut (threads coated with blue

Loctite #243) to 4.2 kg-m (30 ft-lb).

„

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 align-
ment 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.

! WARNING

If the axle nut is not tightened properly, the adjust-
ing bolts could loosen causing the track to become
dangerously loose.

9-110

DRIVE SPROCKET LOCATION

The following illustrations will provide all necessary
information to relocate sprockets on the driveshaft.

When information is required to assemble the drive-
shaft, refer to the parts manual for model being worked
on; then refer to the following illustrations using the
part number listed in the parts manual as a reference.

When pressing new sprockets on the driveshaft,
remember to align the sprocket alignment marks or the
sprockets won’t be timed correctly. See illustration
below.

0728-351

737-870A

0727-829

9-111

9

727-829B

0728-041

0735-366

0728-042

0738-014

0728-043

0738-015