Snowmobile Arctic Cat 2-Stroke (2007 year). Manual - part 85

7-26

INSPECTING

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

1. Inspect the ball joints for damaged threads or

wear.

2. Inspect the tie rod for damage, unusual bends, or

wear.

INSTALLING

1. Position the handlebar in the straight-ahead posi-

tion; then position the skis straight ahead.

2. Thread the jam nuts onto the ball joints; then

equally thread the ball joints onto the steering tie

rod.

„NOTE: There must be an approximate equal
number of threads exposed on each ball joint.

3. Place the tie-rod assembly into position; then

rotate the steering tie rod until the holes in the ball

joints align with the holes in the steering post and

steering arm.

4. Ensure correct handlebar/ski alignment (adjust

steering tie rod as necessary); then apply blue Loc-

tite #243 to the jam nut threaded area and tighten

to specifications.

5. Secure the tie-rod assembly with the two cap

screws (coated with green Loctite #609), washers,

and slotted nuts. Tighten to specifications; then

install the cotter pins and spread the cotter pins.

AL089

6. Install the skid plate; then secure with screws.

„NOTE: The front machine screw on some mod-
els is secured with a washer and lock nut.

AL144D

Steering Tie Rod

 

(Crossfire/M-Series)

REMOVING

1. Remove the cap screw and lock nut securing the

steering tie rod to the steering post. 

FC202

2. Remove the cap screw and lock nut securing the

steering tie rod to the upper arm of the steering

shaft. Account for the washer. 

FC206

! WARNING

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

7-27

7

INSPECTING

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

1. Inspect the ball joints for damaged threads or

wear. 

2. Inspect the tie rod for damage, unusual bends, or

wear.

INSTALLING

„NOTE: There must be an approximate equal
number of threads exposed on each ball joint.

1. Place the steering tie rod into position on the

upper arm of the steering shaft. Secure with the

cap screw (coated with green Loctite #609),

washer, and lock nut. Tighten the lock nut to

specifications.

FC206

2. Place the steering tie rod into position on the steer-

ing post. Secure with the cap screw coated with

green Loctite #609 and lock nut. Tighten lock nut

to specifications.

FC205

Steering Tie Rod

(F-Series)

REMOVING

1. Remove the springs securing the expansion

chamber; then remove the expansion chamber

from the engine compartment. Account for the

two gaskets and the rubber exhaust bumper.

FS203A

2. Remove the lock nut securing the steering tie

rod to the steering post; then remove the cap

screw and lock nut securing the left-side spindle

tie rod and steering tie rod to the drag link.

FS260A

INSPECTING

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

1. Inspect the ball joints for damaged threads or

wear.

2. Inspect the tie rod for damage, unusual bends, or

wear.

7-28

INSTALLING

1. Thread the jam nuts onto the ball joints; then

equally thread the ball joints onto the steering tie

rod.

„ NOTE: There must be an approximate equal
number of threads exposed on each ball joint.

2. Place the tie-rod assembly into position; then

rotate the steering tie rod until the holes in the

ball joints align with the holes in the steering

post and the drag link.

3. Secure the steering tie rod to the steering post

with the lock nut and tighten to specifications;

then secure the steering tie rod and left-side

spindle tie rod to the drag link with the cap

screw and lock nut. Tighten to specifications.

4. Ensure correct handlebar/ski alignment (adjust

steering tie rod as necessary); then tighten the

jam nut to specifications.

5. Place the rubber exhaust bumper into position on

the air silencer.

FS203A

6. Place gaskets on the resonator and exhaust mani-

fold; then install the expansion chamber. Secure

the chamber to manifold and upper frame with the

springs.

Ski Alignment

CHECKING

„NOTE: Track tension and alignment must be
properly adjusted prior to checking or adjusting
ski alignment. Ski alignment must be performed on
a flat, level surface. Ski toe-out must fall within the
range of 1.6- 6.4 mm (1/16-1/4 in.).

1. Raise the front end of snowmobile just high

enough to keep the skis from contacting the floor.

2. Turn the handlebar to the straight-ahead position.

Visually inspect the handlebar for being centered

and in the straight-ahead position.

„NOTE: At this point on Bearcat/Panther/Z mod-
els, the hole in the middle of the drag link should
be aligned with the notch (half moon shaped) in
the chassis. 

0734-407

„NOTE: On Bearcat/Panther/Z models if the han-
dlebar is not in the straight-ahead position when
the hole in the middle of the drag link aligns with
the notch in the chassis, the steering tie rod must
be adjusted. When handlebar alignment is correct,
apply blue Loctite #243 to the jam nut threaded
area and tighten both jam nuts securely against
the steering tie rod.

3. With the handlebar in the straight-ahead position,

secure the handlebar to prevent the alignment from

becoming disturbed during the remainder of the

alignment procedure.

„NOTE: Track tension and alignment must be
properly adjusted prior to placing the straightedge
against the outside edge of the track.

4. Place a long straightedge against the outside edge

of the track so it lies near the inside edge of the

left-side ski.

! WARNING

Neglecting to lock the tie rod by tightening the jam
nuts may cause loss of snowmobile control and pos-
sible personal injury.

Toe-Out Range

1.6-6.4 mm (1/16-1/4 in.)

7-29

7

729-887B

„NOTE: The straightedge should be long enough
to extend from the back of the track to the front of
the ski.

5. Measure the distance from the straightedge to the

left-side ski wear bar bolts in two places: approxi-

mately 18-20 cm (7-8 in.)  in  front  of  the  spindle

and 18-20 cm (7-8 in.) behind the spindle. Record

the measurements taken for the left side.

729-887A

0734-408

6. Place the straightedge against the outside edge of

the track so it lies near the inside edge of the right-

side ski.

7. Measure the distance from the straightedge to the

right-side ski wear bar bolts in two places: 18-20

cm (7-8 in.) in front of the spindle and 18-20 cm

(7-8 in.) behind the spindle. Record the measure-

ments taken for the right side.

8. If ski alignment is not as specified, adjust the

alignment of the ski(s) not parallel to the straight-

edge.

ADJUSTING
(Bearcat/Crossfire/M-Series/

Panther/Z)

„NOTE: The following procedure can be used to
adjust the alignment of either ski.

1. On Bearcat/Panther/Z models, remove the appro-

priate steering boot.

2. Secure the idler tie rod (Crossfire/M-Series mod-

els) or secure the steering drag link (Bearcat/Pan-

ther/Z models) in the centered position.

3. Loosen both spindle tie rod jam nuts on the same

side as the ski to be aligned.

4. Using a wrench on the spindle tie rod “flats,”

rotate the spindle tie rod until recommended speci-

fication is attained.

5. Apply blue Loctite #243 to each jam nut thread

area; then lock the jam nuts against the spindle tie

rod.

„NOTE: Repeat this procedure on each side (if
necessary) until ski toe-out is within specification.

6. On Bearcat/Panther/Z models, install the steering

boot.

ADJUSTING (F-Series)

„ NOTE: The following procedure can be used to
adjust the alignment of either ski.

To adjust ski alignment, use the following procedure.

! WARNING

The measurement from the front and rear wear bar
bolts to the straightedge can be equal (ski parallel to
the track), but the front measurement must never be
less (ski toed-in) or poor handling will be experi-
enced. The front wear bar bolt measurement to the
straightedge must not exceed the measurement
from the rear wear bar bolt to the straightedge (ski
toed-out) by more than 3.9 mm (5/32 in.).

! WARNING

Neglecting to lock the tie rod by tightening the jam
nuts may cause loss of snowmobile control and pos-
sible personal injury.