Steering Post Inspection; Drag Link And Tie Rods Removal/Installation; Tie Rod Inspection - Arctic Cat Cougar Service Manual

FRONT SUSPENSION AND STEERING
d. Check ski alignment as described in this
chapter.
Steering Post
Inspection
1. Clean all components thoroughly in solvent.
Remove all grease residue from the bearing
halves.
2. Visually check the steering post for cracks or
deep scoring. Check the welds at the top and
bottom of the shaft for cracks or damage.
3. Inspect the steering bearings for cracks, deep
scoring or excessive wear.
Drag Link and Tie Rods
Removal/Installation
On El Tigre models, two center tie rods (31,
Figure 31) connect the steering post to bell-
cranks (9, Figure 31). Tie rods (4, Figure 31)
connect the bell crank to the steering arms located
at the top of each ski leg.
Other models are equipped with short tie rods
that connect the ends of a drag link to the steering
arms at the top of each ski leg (Figure 33 or
Figure 34).
8~
1
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427
NOTE
The outer jam nuts on the tie rods have
left-hand threads.
1. Remove the engine as described in Chapter
Five.
2. Use a No. 10 drill to remove the rivets secur-
ing the rubber boots.
3. Detach the tie rods as required (Figure 31,
Figure 33 or Figure 34).
4. Refer to Figure 31, Figure 33 or Figure 34
to remove the bellcrank(s), idler arm, drag link
and center tie rod.
5.
Inspect each tie rod as described in the fol-
lowing procedure.
6. Installation is the reverse of the preceding
steps. Note the following:
a. After attaching the tie rods, check ski align-
ment as described in Chapter Three.
b. When ski alignment is correct, tighten tie
rod bolts to the torque specification in Ta-
ble
1.
Tie Rod
Inspection
1. Clean the tie rod in solvent and dry thor-
oughly.
STEERING SYSTEM
(1990-1994 PROWLER
AND COUGAR MODELS)
1. Handlebar
2. Steering post
3. Tie rod
4. Bellcrank
5. Drag link
6. ldlerarm
7. Tie rod
8. Steering arm