Snowmobile Arctic Cat (2008 year). Manual - part 154

8-19

8

ASSEMBLING AND INSTALLING

1. Install the jam nuts onto the ball joints; then thread

the ball joints into the tie rod.

2. Secure the steering tie rod and the left-side spindle

tie rod to the drag link with the cap screw and lock

nut and tighten to 35 ft-lb; then secure the spindle

tie rod to the spindle. Tighten the cap screws and

lock nuts to 30 ft-lb.

3. Secure the right-side spindle tie rod to the drag

link and spindle with the cap screws and lock nuts;

then tighten to 30 ft-lb.

4. Adjust ski alignment (see Ski Alignment in this

section).

5. Tighten the jam nuts (coated with blue Loctite

#243) securely against the tie rod.

Spindle

(Bearcat/Panther)

REMOVING

1. Position the front of the snowmobile up on a safety

stand.

2. Remove the ski.

3. Remove the lock nut and cap screw securing the

shock absorber to the spindle. Account for all

mounting hardware.

AL156D

4. Remove the lock nut securing the tie-rod ball joint

to the spindle (account for the washer and the O-

ring); then remove the ball joint from the spindle.

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

AL655D

5. Remove the two cap screws and lock nuts securing

the spindle to the suspension arms. Account for all

mounting hardware.

AL159D

AL160D

6. Inspect the tie-rod ball joint in place. If damage,

wear, or unusual bends are noted, loosen the jam

nut; then remove the ball joint from the tie rod.

INSPECTING

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

1. Inspect the spindle for excessive wear, cracks,

bends, or imperfections.

2. Inspect all welds for cracking.

3. Inspect the suspension arm bushings and axle area

for wear.

! WARNING

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

8-20

4. Secure the spindle in a vise. Rotate the spindle

clockwise and counterclockwise. The movement

should be smooth and free. If the spindle move-

ment is rough or binding, grease the spindle with a

good low-temperature grease. Rotate the spindle.

If the movement remains rough, replace the spin-

dle.

„NOTE: When greasing the spindle, use enough
grease so that it can be seen coming out at both
the top and bottom of the spindle.

5. Inspect the spindle axle and bearings for wear,

damage, or loose fit. Replace the bearings as a set.

„NOTE: Replacing the ski bolt bushings is diffi-
cult. The existing bushings will be damaged during
removal. Be careful, however, not to damage the
spindle when removing the bearing. Press the new
bushings into the spindle.

INSTALLING

1. Place the upper and lower suspension arm ends

with bushings in position into the spindle. Secure

with cap screws (threads coated with green Loctite

#609) and lock nuts. Tighten to 30 ft-lb.

2. Place the steering tie-rod ball joint into position

(threads coated with green Loctite #609) on the

spindle arm as noted during removing (with

washer and O-ring) and secure with a lock nut.

Tighten to 30 ft-lb.

AL655D

3. Install the ski.

4. Align the lower shock eyelet with the mounting

hole in the spindle; then secure with the cap screw,

optional washers, and lock nut. Tighten to 20 ft-lb.

5. Remove the safety stand from beneath the front

end.

Spindle

(Crossfire/M-Series)

REMOVING

1. Position the front of the snowmobile up on a safety

stand. 

2. Remove the ski.

3. Remove the lock nut and cap screw securing the

shock absorber to the spindle. Account for all

mounting hardware. 

CM269A

4. Remove the cap screw and lock nut securing the

tie rod to the spindle arm.

CM267A

5. Remove the two cap screws and lock nuts securing

the spindle to the upper and lower arms. Account

for all mounting hardware. 

8-21

8

FC213

FC214

6. Remove the spindle.

INSPECTING

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

1. Inspect the spindle for excessive wear, cracks,

bends, or imperfections.

2. Inspect all welds for cracking.

3. Inspect the suspension arm bushings and axle area

for wear. 

4. Secure the spindle in a vise. Rotate the spindle

clockwise and counterclockwise. The movement

should be smooth and free. If the spindle movement

is rough or binding, grease the spindle with a good

low-temperature grease. Rotate the spindle. If the

movement remains rough, replace the spindle. 

„NOTE: When greasing the spindle, use enough
grease so that it can be seen coming out at both
the top and bottom of the spindle. 

5. Inspect the spindle axle and bearings for wear,

damage, or loose fit. Replace the bearings as a set. 

„NOTE: Replacing the ski bolt bushings is diffi-
cult. The existing bushings will be damaged during
removal. Be careful, however, not to damage the
spindle when removing the bearing. Press the new
bushings into the spindle. 

INSTALLING

1. Insert the spindle shaft into the spindle making

sure the two washers are correctly positioned. 

2. Place the upper and lower suspension arm ends

with bushings in position into the spindle. Secure

with cap screws and lock nuts. Tighten the upper

and lower lock nuts to 30 ft-lb (M-Series) or 40 ft-

lb (Crossfire).

CM269B

CM269C

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

Secure with the Allen-head cap screw. Tighten to

30 ft-lb.

CM267A

4. Place the shock absorber into position on the spin-

dle. Secure with the cap screw and lock nut.

Tighten to 20 ft-lb.

8-22

CM269A

5. Install the ski.

6. Remove the safety stand from beneath the front

end.

Spindle

(F-Series/T-Series)

REMOVING

1. Position the front of the snowmobile up on a safety

stand.

2. Remove the ski.

3. Remove the tie rod cap and lock nut securing the

tie-rod ball joint to the spindle; then remove the

ball joint from 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.

4. Remove the cap and snap ring from the top of the

spindle; then remove the cap screw securing the

spindle arm to the spindle. Remove the spindle

arm and account for and note the number of thrust

washers for installing purposes.

ZJ172

ZJ177

„NOTE: The cap screw must be removed to
remove the spindle from the spindle housing.

5. Using a soft hammer and a suitable driving tool,

drive the spindle out of the spindle housing.

6. Remove the lock nut and cap screw securing the

shock absorber to the spindle. Account for all

mounting hardware.

ZJ173A

7. Remove the four torx-head cap screws securing

the lower A-arm bearing cap to the spindle; then

remove the cap and lower arm from the spindle.

ZJ174A

8. Remove the cap screw and lock nut securing the

spindle to the upper suspension arm. Account for

all mounting hardware.