Snowmobile Arctic Cat 2-Stroke (2007 year). Manual - part 83

7-18

INSTALLING

1. Place the two tie rod ends into position on the

lower arm of the idler shaft. Secure with the Allen-

head cap screw (B) coated with green Loctite

#609. Tighten to specifications.

FC207B

2. Place the tie rod into position on the left-side steer-

ing arm. Secure with the Allen-head cap screw

coated with green Loctite #609. Tighten to specifi-

cations.

FC209

3. Place the two tie rod ends into position on the

lower arm of the steering shaft. Secure with the

Allen-head cap screw (A) coated with green Loc-

tite #609. Tighten to specifications.

FC207A

4. Place the tie rod into position on the right-side

spindle arm. Secure with the Allen-head cap screw

coated with green Loctite #609. Tighten to specifi-

cations.

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

arm of the steering shaft. Secure with the washer

and lock nut (threads coated with green Loctite

#609). Tighten lock nut to specifications.

FC206

Tie Rods

(F-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.

7-19

7

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.

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 spin-

dle tie rod to the drag link with the cap screw

and lock nut; then secure the spindle tie rod to

the spindle. Tighten the cap screws and lock

nuts to specifications.

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

link and spindle with the cap screws and lock

nuts; then tighten to specifications.

4. Adjust ski alignment (see appropriate Ski Align-

ment in this section).

5. Tighten the jam nuts against the tie rod to speci-

fications.

Spindle

(Bearcat/Panther/Z)

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

! 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.

7-20

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.

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 specifications.

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 specifications.

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 specifi-

cations.

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. 

FC208

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

rod to the spindle arm.

7-21

7

FC209

5. Remove the snap ring securing the steering arm to

the spindle.

FC210

6. Remove the Allen-head cap screw securing the

steering arm to the spindle.

FC211

7. Remove the cap from the spindle; then using a

plastic mallet, tap the spindle shaft out the bottom

of the spindle. Account for the two washers from

between the steering arm and the spindle. 

FC212

8. Remove the two cap screws and lock nuts securing

the spindle to the arms. Account for all mounting

hardware. 

FC213

FC214

9. 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. 

! CAUTION

Care must be taken to not over-extend the snap ring.
If the snap ring is over-extended, it must be
replaced.