Snowmobile Arctic Cat (2008 year). Manual - part 153

8-15

8

4. If replacing using a suitable punch, drive the two

bearings out of the drag link.

ZJ162

INSPECTING

„NOTE: Whenever a part is worn excessively,
cracked, or damaged in any way, replacement is
necessary.

1. Inspect the entire drag link (especially in the areas

where the ball joints attach) for any signs of

cracks, wear, or damage.

2. Inspect the bearings and axles for wear or damage.

INSTALLING

1. If the bearings were removed, place the drag link

in a suitable vise and press the bearings into the

drag link.

ZJ163A

2. Secure the steering arms to the drag link with the

drag link axles, cap screws (E) (threads coated

with blue Loctite #243), and lock nuts (E). Tighten

to 12 ft-lb.

ZJ164

0741-924

3. Place the steering arms/drag link assembly into

position in the chassis; then secure the arms (D)

with axles (F) to the chassis with cap screws and

lock nuts (C). Tighten the lock nuts to 20 ft-lb.

4. Install the left-side spindle tie rod and steering tie

rod to the drag link with cap screw and lock nut

(B); then install the remaining tie rod to the drag

link with cap screw and lock nut (A). Tighten to 35

ft-lb.

5. Using a quality low-temperature grease, grease the

steering arms; then verify free movement of the

steering components.

ZJ165A

„NOTE: To finalize the installing of the drag link,
proceed to Air-Intake Silencer (F-Series) sub-sec-
tion in Section 4 and follow the INSTALLING proce-
dure.

8-16

Front Tie Rods 

(Bearcat/Panther)

REMOVING AND DISASSEMBLING

1. Remove the lock nut securing the tie rod to the

spindle. Account for a washer and O-ring.

„NOTE: Note that the tie rod is installed on the
bottom side of the spindle arm for installing pur-
poses.

AL655D

2. Remove the self-tapping screws or rivets securing

the steering boot and retainer to the front end.

3. Turn the handlebar in the appropriate direction;

then remove the cap screw and lock nut securing

the steering arm to the drag link. Account for

washers.

4. Loosen the jam nut securing each ball joint to the

tie rod; then remove the ball joints from the tie

rod. Slide the rod from the steering boot. Remove

the jam nuts from the ball joints.

CLEANING AND INSPECTING

„NOTE: Whenever a part is worn excessively,
cracked, or damaged in any way, replacement is
necessary.

1. Inspect the ball joints and tie rods for damaged

threads or wear.

2. Inspect the ball joints and tie rods for cracks or

unusual bends.

3. Wash the ball joints in parts-cleaning solvent. Dry

with compressed air. Inspect the ball joint pivot

area for wear. Apply a low-temperature grease to

the ball joints.

ASSEMBLING AND INSTALLING

1. Slide the tie rod through the steering boot and

retainer; then install the jam nuts on the ball joints

and thread the ball joints onto the tie rod.

„NOTE: Each jam nut and ball joint is either a
right-hand or left-hand thread; therefore, each can
only be installed on one end of the tie rod. The
right-hand thread is the inside ball joint and jam
nut.

2. Secure the tie rod to the ball joint on the forked

end of the drag link with a cap screw (coated with

green Loctite #609), washers, and lock nut.

Tighten to 20 ft-lb.

3. Secure the steering arm to the drag link with a cap

screw, lock nut, and washers. Tighten to 30 ft-lb.

4. Position an O-ring and washer on the ball joint

assembly (threads coated with green Loctite

#609). Install the ball joint on the spindle arm as

noted in removing; then secure with a lock nut.

Tighten to 30 ft-lb.

AL655D

5. Place the steering boot and retainer into position

and secure with self-tapping screws or rivets.

6. Adjust ski alignment (see Ski Alignment in this

section).

7. Apply blue Loctite #243 to the jam nut threaded

area and tighten the jam nuts securely against the

tie rod.

! WARNING

Always wear safety glasses when using compressed
air.

! WARNING

Neglecting to lock the jam nuts against the tie rod
may cause loss of snowmobile control and possible
personal injury.

8-17

8

Tie Rods/Steering Link 

(Crossfire/M-Series)

REMOVING

1. Remove the lock nut securing the steering tie rod

to the upper arm of the steering shaft. Account for

the washer.

„NOTE: Note that the tie rod is installed on the
top side of the upper arm for installing purposes.

FC206

2. Remove the Allen-head cap screw securing the  tie

rod end to the steering arm. 

CM267A

3. Remove the cap screw and lock nuts securing the

tie rod to the right-side spindle arm.

CM267A

4. Remove the lock nut and washer securing the

steering link to the steering arm.

CM268A

„NOTE: At this point, repeat this procedure for
the opposite side.

CLEANING AND INSPECTING

„NOTE: Whenever a part is worn excessively,
cracked, or damaged in any way, replacement is
necessary.

1. Inspect the ball joints and tie rods for damaged

threads or wear.

2. Inspect the ball joints and tie rods for cracks or

unusual bends.

3. Wash the ball joints in parts-cleaning solvent. Dry

with compressed air. Inspect the ball joint pivot

area for wear. Apply a low-temperature grease to

the ball joints.

INSTALLING

1. Place the center steering link into position on the

steering arm. Secure with the lock nut and washer.

Tighten to 20 ft-lb.

CM268A

! WARNING

Always wear safety glasses when using compressed
air.

8-18

2. Place the rod ends into position on the steering

arm. Secure with the Allen-head cap screw coated

with green Loctite #609. Tighten to 30 ft-lb.

CM266A

3. Place the tie rod into position on the spindle arm.

Secure with the cap screw and lock nut. Tighten to

30 ft-lb.

CM267A

4. Place the steering tie rod into position on the upper

arm of the steering post. Secure with the washer

and lock nut (threads coated with green Loctite

#609). Tighten lock nut to 30 ft-lb.

FC206

„NOTE: At this point, repeat this procedure for
the opposite side.

Tie Rods

(F-Series/T-Series)

REMOVING AND DISASSEMBLING

1. Remove the lock nut securing the tie rod to the

spindle.

„NOTE: Note whether the tie rod is installed on
the top side or on the bottom side of the spindle
arm for installing purposes.

2. Turn the handlebar in the appropriate direction and

remove the cap screw and lock nut securing the tie

rod to the drag link.

„NOTE: To aid in removing the tie rod cap screw
from the drag link, position the drag link so the cap
screw is aligned with the opening between the skid
plate and the suspension mounting bracket.

ZJ159A

3. Loosen the jam nuts securing the ball joints to the

tie rod; then remove the ball joints from the tie

rod.

CLEANING AND INSPECTING

„NOTE: Whenever a part is worn excessively,
cracked, or damaged in any way, replacement is
necessary.

1. Inspect the ball joints and tie rods for damaged

threads or wear. 

2. Inspect the ball joints and tie rods for cracks or

unusual bends.

3. Wash the ball joint in parts-cleaning solvent. Dry

with compressed air. Inspect the ball joint pivot

area for wear. Apply a low-temperature grease to

the ball joint.

! WARNING

Always wear safety glasses when using compressed
air.