Snowmobile Arctic Cat (2009 year). Manual - part 17

MAINTENANCE

61

0727-729

0739-637

5. If the idler wheels are not centered

between the inner track drive lugs,

an adjustment is necessary.

Adjusting Track 

Alignment

1. On the side of the track which has

the inner track drive lugs closer to

the rear idler wheel, loosen the

adjusting bolt jam nut; then rotate

the adjusting bolt clockwise 1 to 1

1/2 turns.

739-636B

2. Check track alignment and con-

tinue adjustment until proper

alignment is obtained.

 NOTE: Make sure correct track
tension is maintained after adjust-
ing track alignment (see Track Ten-
sion sub-section).

3. After proper track alignment is

obtained, tighten the adjusting bolt

jam nut against the axle housing.

4. Field test the track under actual

conditions.

5. After the field test, check the

alignment of the track. If addi-

tional adjustment is necessary,

repeat Adjusting Track Alignment

procedure.

SUSPENSION

The suspension should be adjusted for

the operational needs and riding prefer-

ence of the operator.

The front shock springs determine the

amount of ski pressure and the reaction

of the front suspension to rough terrain.

The amount of ski pressure can also be

changed by adjusting the length of the

skid frame front arm limiter straps.

The rear springs influence the load car-

rying capability of the snowmobile and

should be adjusted for the weight and

riding preference of the operator.

Adjusting Front Shock 

Springs (STD)

 NOTE: On some models, the front
shock springs are not adjustable.

! WARNING

If a jam nut is not tightened prop-
erly, the adjusting bolt could
loosen causing the track to
become dangerously loose.

62

MAINTENANCE

The front shock springs are individu-

ally adjustable for the terrain condi-

tions and driving style of the operator.

The spring adjuster has been set at the

factory so the correct amount of

threads are exposed between the spring

adjuster and the shock housing as an

initial setting. Additional ski pressure

can be obtained by tightening the

spring tension; ski pressure can be

decreased by relaxing spring tension.

 NOTE: Equal adjustments
should be maintained on both
sides of the snowmobile.

To adjust spring tension, rotate the

entire spring in whichever direction is

desired. If after adjusting spring ten-

sion you note the snowmobile front end

wants to pitch, relax the spring tension

on the side that is pitching. If both

sides are pitching, relax the spring ten-

sion on both sides.

 NOTE: The spring adjuster will
normally rotate with the spring.

734-501B

734-500B

Adjusting Shocks 

(Fox Air Shocks)

 NOTE: It is recommended to
monitor the air pressure in the air
shocks once every month.

 NOTE: Adjusting air shocks may
be done by the snowmobile owner
if qualified to do so. If the owner
does not feel qualified, take the
snowmobile to an authorized Arc-
tic Cat Snowmobile dealer for this
service. This service is at the dis-
cretion and expense of the snow-
mobile owner.

The air shocks are individually adjust-

able for the terrain conditions and driv-

ing style of the operator. The shocks

are preset at the factory (see chart) as

an initial setting; however, it is possible

to “fine tune” the shocks to match the

operator’s weight, riding style, and ter-

rain conditions.

Checking and adjusting air pressure

must be done at riding temperature

(outside). Also, it is advisable to check

air pressure when the outside tempera-

ture varies more than 25°.

 NOTE: Care should be taken to
have equal pressure in the front
(ski) shocks before operating the
snowmobile.

To increase or decrease air pressure,

use the following procedure.

Initial Setting Chart

Model

Front 

Shock 

(Ski)

Rear Arm 

Shock

Crossfire 
Sno Pro

4.6 kg/cm

2

(65 psi)

9.5-10.2 kg/cm

2

(135-145 psi)

F-Series 
Sno Pro/
Z1 Sno Pro

3.9 kg/cm

2

(55 psi)

N/A

M-Series

4.2 kg/cm

2

(60 psi)

9.5-10.2 kg/cm

2

 

(135-145 psi)

MAINTENANCE

63

 NOTE: When adjusting air pres-
sure, all weight must be removed
from the suspension, and the
shock absorbers must be fully
extended.

 NOTE: Adding air pressure will
increase the air spring force;
reducing air pressure will
decrease air spring force.

1. Remove the air valve cap from the

shock.

2. Thread the valve of Shock

Absorber Air Pump (p/n 2603-

614) onto the shock air valve

approximately six rotations.

 NOTE: As the pump is being
attached to the shock, the hose
will fill with air. This will result in a
lower gauge pressure 0.14-3.52 kg/
cm

2

 (2-5 psi).

3. To decrease air pressure in the

shock, press the black bleed valve

button half way down and hold

until desired pressure is attained.

 NOTE: Pressing the button fully
down and releasing it will allow
only a small amount of air to
escape (micro-adjust).

4. To increase air pressure in the

shock, pump until desired pressure

is attained.

5. Remove the pump valve from the

shock air valve.

 NOTE: As the pump valve is
being removed from the shock, the
sound of air loss is from the pump
hose, not from the shock.

6. Install the air valve cap onto the

shock.

Skid Frame Front Arm

 NOTE: On some models, the
front arm limiter straps are not
adjustable.

The skid frame front arm shock spring

and limiter straps are adjustable. How-

ever, Arctic Cat recommends that the

shock spring be maintained at the fac-

tory preset of 1/8-1/4 in. preload.

Tightening the skid frame front arm

shock spring may cause improper bal-

ance and may ruin the handling fea-

tures of the snowmobile.

The length adjustment of the front arm

limiter straps determines the weight

distribution between the front of the

skid frame and the skis. Tightening the

limiter strap (shortening the strap) will

pull up on the front of the skid frame

and will increase ski pressure. Loosen-

ing the limiter strap (lengthening the

strap) lowers the front of the skid frame

and decreases ski pressure.

When customizing the amount of ski

pressure, be sure to adjust both straps

equally and do not over-adjust the lim-

iter straps to adversely affect steering

and operator control of the snowmobile.

Some experimentation may be required

until the proper adjustment for the oper-

ator’s individual style is obtained.

 NOTE: If the limiter straps are
adjusted, it is highly recom-
mended that at least a minimum of
1/8 in. preload on the shock spring
be maintained.

! WARNING

Do not exceed 10.5 kg/cm

2

 (150

psi) in the shock.

! WARNING

Do not adjust the front arm limiter
straps to a point at which steering
and operator control of the snow-
mobile are adversely affected.

64

MAINTENANCE

Adjusting Rear Spring 

Pre-Load

Proper adjustment of rear spring pre-

load is necessary to get the most com-

fortable ride. The chart is designed to

help in setting up rear spring pre-load;

however, riding style is the single

greatest factor in determining rear

spring requirements.

 NOTE: These cam position set-
tings are suggestions only. Per-
sonal riding style will greatly
influence cam position settings.
Spend time to determine setting
preferences.

Rear spring pre-load adjustment is

accomplished by rotating the adjusting

cams. Position 3 provides the stiffest

ride, and position 1 is for the light

driver or slow-speed trail riding. Posi-

tion 2 is for the average operator under

normal conditions. Always rotate the

cam from the lighter position to the

heavier position.

741-450A

To rotate an adjusting cam, use the

spark plug wrench from the tool kit.

Rotate the wrench until the cam is in

the desired position. To stiffen the ride,

rotate the cam so as to raise the spring

end. Make the appropriate adjustment

on the other cam.

Articulating Skid 

Frame (Bearcat XT 

Models)

The rear articulating portion of the skid

frame has two adjusters which control

the amount of travel in the rear suspen-

sion.

These two adjusters have been pre-set

at the factory and should require no

further adjustment.

If adjustment is ever required, rotate

the two adjusters equally to permit

12.5-25 mm (1/2-1 in.) travel of the

articulating portion of the suspension.

0743-323

Overload Springs

Some models have overload springs

built into the rear suspension. When

either carrying a heavy load or riding

2-up, the overload springs should be

engaged by rotating the spring tension

blocks to the UP position. The spring

tension blocks lock in an over-center

position when engaged. 

 NOTE: Arctic Cat recommends
that the overload springs be
engaged whenever a load on the
snowmobile (operator/passenger/
cargo) exceeds 136 kg (300 lb).

Rider Weight (lb)

Cam Position

Up to 180 

1

180-240

2

Over 240

3

! CAUTION

Never force the adjustment cams
from the low position to the high
position. Cam damage may occur.