Snowmobile Arctic Cat 2-Stroke (2007 year). Manual - part 82

7-14

AL092

4. Secure the steering tie rod to the steering arm with

a cap screw (coated with green Loctite #609),

washer, and a lock nut. Tighten to specifications.

5. Place the steering boot into position on the front

end (bulk head). Secure with self-tapping screws.

6. Install the tie rods (threaded area coated with

green Loctite #609) on the spindle arms as noted

during removing. Secure with O-rings, washers,

and lock nuts. Tighten to specifications.

AL108

AL655D

„NOTE: Check all drag link and ball joint fasten-
ers to ensure they are tight. Turn the handlebars
full-left and full-right several times to ensure free
movement.

7. Install and secure the expansion chamber (if

removed).

8. Check and adjust ski alignment (see appropriate

Ski Alignment in this section).

Drag Link

(F-Series)

REMOVING

„NOTE: To remove the drag link, it will be neces-
sary to remove the air silencer. Proceed to Air-
Intake Silencer (F-Series) sub-section in Section 4
and follow the REMOVING procedure.

1. Remove the cap screw and lock nut (A) from the

drag link end of the spindle tie rod; then remove

the cap screw and lock nut (B) securing the left-

side spindle tie rod and steering tie rod to the

drag link.

0741-924

„ NOTE: To aid in removing the tie rod cap screws
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

2. Remove the cap screws and lock nuts (C) from

the steering arms (D); then remove the drag link

and steering arms from the suspension mounting

bracket.

7-15

7

3. Secure the drag link in a suitable vise; then

remove the cap screws and lock nuts (E) secur-

ing the steering arms to the drag link. Remove

the arms and account for the axles (F) inside the

steering arms.

„ NOTE: With the steering arms removed, note
the direction of the steering arms for installing
purposes.

ZJ161A

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 dam-

age.

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 specifications.

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 specifica-

tions.

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

tie rod to the drag link with cap screws and lock

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

drag link with cap screws and lock nuts (A).

Tighten to specifications.

5. Using a quality low-temperature grease, grease

the steering arms; then verify free movement of

the steering components.

7-16

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.

Front Tie Rods 

(Bearcat/Panther/Z)

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, washers, and

lock nut. Tighten to specifications.

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

screw, lock nut, and washers. Tighten to specifica-

tions.

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 specifications.

AL655D

5. Place the steering boot and retainer into position

and secure with self-tapping screws or rivets.

! WARNING

Always wear safety glasses when using compressed
air.

7-17

7

6. Adjust ski alignment (see appropriate Ski Align-

ment in this section).

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

area and tighten the jam nuts against the tie rod to

specifications.

Front Tie Rods 

(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. From the right-side, remove the Allen-head cap

screw (A) securing the two tie rod ends to the

lower arm of the steering shaft. 

FC207A

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

rod to the right-side spindle arm.

4. From the left-side, remove the Allen-head cap

screw (B) securing the two tie rod ends to the

lower arm of the idler shaft. 

FC207B

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

rod end to the left-side steering arm.

FC209

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.

! WARNING

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

! WARNING

Always wear safety glasses when using compressed
air.