How to Adjust a Snowmobile Track

The gap between a slider shoe and the inside bottom of the snowmobile's track needs to be a defined distance to ensure the snowmobile track is correctly tensioned. Too much gap and the track will be too loose, creating thumping sounds. Too little gap and the track will be too tight, creating stresses on the equipment. This distance can be measured, and if it doesn't meet the manufacturer's recommendation, adjustments can be made until it does.

Things You'll Need

  • Snowmobile lift
  • Wrenches
  • Screwdrivers
  • Tape measure
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Instructions

    • 1

      Drive the snowmobile onto the lift, turn off the engine and lift the snowmobile. Perform a visual inspection of the track by rotating the track by hand and looking for wear, tearing or an otherwise damaged track. Look for missing inserts or guide. If the track looks damaged, it will need to be replaced and you can skip any adjustment.

    • 2

      Measure the gap between the slider shoe and the inside bottom of the track. Bombardier recommends ½ inch for its 1980 Ski-Doo Citation, but your manufacturer may be different. Check the user guide.

    • 3

      Loosen the rear idler wheel retaining screw and then loosen or tighten the adjuster bolts on the inner side of the rear idler wheels. Loosen the adjuster bolts if the gap you measured is less that ½ inch, and tighten them if it's greater than ½-inch. Measure again and keep making measurements until you get it right.