1990-1998 Arctic Cat Snowmobiles Repair Manual, Page 438Get this manual
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
2If paint has been removed from the tie rod during cleaning or through use, touch up areas before installation3Visually check the tie rod for dents, bends, cracks or other damageCheck the ball joints for deep scoring or excessive wearIf ball joint has been loose, threads in the tie rod may be damaged4Check the ball joints for excessive wear or damageaIf damaged, loosen the nut and unscrew the ball jointbReverse to installWhen installing new ball joints, turn the new ball joint into the tie rod at the same distance as the originalcIf tie rod or ball joint was replaced, check Steering Adjustment as described in this chapter5Replace worn or damaged parts as required6If one or more ball joints were loosened or replaced, check steering adjustment as described in Chapter Three
adjustment includes centering the handlebars and ski alignment
Handlebar Alignment
To adjust the center tie rode s), the engine must be removed(Figure 31, Figure 33 or Figure 34)1Raise and support the snowmobile so that the skis are off the ground2Turn the handlebar until both skis face forward3Center the handlebars as follows: aMeasure from the end of one handlebar grip to point at the back of the snowmobile (Figure 35)Record the lengthbRepeat measurement for opposite side (Figure 35)Make sure you use the same reference pointsRecord the length4The distance recorded in substep and must be the sameIf adjustment is required, adjust as described in Step 5A or 5B5AOn EI Tigre models, proceed as follows: