Steering System

Content Source: 2021 600/850 AXYS Switchback Assault / RMK / SKS / Indy / Voyageur Owner’s Manual (9931265 R01) > Maintenance Chapter

IMPORTANT

The Owner's Manual for this vehicle contains warnings, instructions and other information you must read and fully understand before safely riding or performing maintenance on this vehicle.Always follow the warnings and instructions in Owner's Manual.

Click the CONTENTS link above for the Table Of Contents, or download a full PDF of the Owner Manual in the Owner Support area of Polaris.com

Steering System

The steering systems on POLARIS snowmobiles can be adjusted with ski toe alignment. Improper toe alignment can cause erratic steering. Your dealer can assist with adjustments.

WARNING

Improper alignment or adjustment may cause loss of steering control, resulting in serious injury or death. Do not attempt to change the ski alignment. Your POLARIS dealer can assist.

Front Suspension Inspection

WARNING

Improper fastener torque or front suspension component damage may cause loss of steering control, resulting in serious injury or death. Your POLARIS dealer can assist.

Each week, or before a long ride, check the following items. If component damage or loose fasteners are found, your POLARIS dealer can provide service.

Ski Bolt Nuts
Tie Rod End Nuts
Upper/Lower Control Arm Nuts (All)
Sway Bar Fasteners
Shock Mounting Fasteners

Lower Control Arm Spindle Nuts
Upper Control Arm Spindle Nuts
Ski Loop Rear Fasteners
Ski Loop Front Fasteners
Ski Skag Fasteners

Ski Alignment

WARNING

Improper ski alignment or adjustment may cause loss of steering control, resulting in serious injury or death. Do not attempt to change the ski alignment or camber adjustment. Your POLARIS dealer can assist.

Place the handlebars in a straight-ahead position.
With only vehicle weight compressing the suspension, measure 10 inches (25.4 cm) forward from the center of the ski mounting bolt (see 3 in illustration below). At this point, measure between the skis. This is measurement .
Perform the same measurement rearward from the center of the ski mounting bolt. This is measurement .
The measurement should be 1/8 inch (3 mm) greater than the measurement. If the skis are misaligned, your dealer can assist with alignment correction as camber adjustment may also be affected.

Ski Skags

WARNING

Worn skis and/or skags will adversely affect handling. Loss of vehicle control may result, causing serious injury or death. Your dealer's studding chart can provide the recommended skags. If you install longer or more aggressive carbide skags than the original equipment, it may also be necessary to add track studs to maintain proper vehicle control while turning on hard-packed snow or ice.

Check skags before each use of the snowmobile to ensure positive steering characteristics. Skags must be replaced when worn to half their original diameter.

TIP

Carbide skags must be replaced if any abnormal wear or chipping is found.

Skag Replacement

Raise and support the front of the snowmobile so the skis are approximately 6 inches (15.2 cm) from the ground.
Remove the attaching nuts and pry the skag downward.
Remove the front end of the skag.
Remove the rear end of the skag.
Reverse the steps to install a skag.

Rail Slide Wear Inspection

Polaris rail slides run along the bottom of the rail to prevent track wear. The rail slide should be inspected periodically and replaced when necessary.

For ease of inspection, all POLARIS rail slides have a wear limit indicator groove

to indicate the minimum permissible slide thickness

. Replace the rail slides if they are worn to the top of the groove at any point along their length. Failure to do so may result in permanent damage to the track or rails.