Snowmobile Polaris 120. Instruction - part 18

68

ADULT SECTION

Maintenance

Slider Replacement

Polaris rail slides have a wear limit 

indicator groove to indicate the 

minimum permissible slide thick-

ness. Replace the rail slides if they 

are worn to the top of the groove at 

any point along their length. Fail-

ure to do so may result in perma-

nent damage to the track or rails.

Track Lubrication

Track failure, loss of vehicle control and braking ability can result from 

extended use of this vehicle on surfaces providing marginal lubrication 

between the slider and track guide clips. Examples of marginal lubrica-

tion would include lakes without snow cover, icy trails and no-snow 

conditions.
The slide rail is designed to operate in conditions with adequate snow 

cover in order to provide sufficient lubrication. Excessive wear indicates 

insufficient lubrication. A new slider can cause faster heat build up in 

limited lubrication than a used slider, resulting in excessive wear.

NOTE:

Track damage or failure caused by operation on ice or poor lubrication 

conditions may void the track warranty.

Steering System

The steering systems on Polaris snowmobiles can be adjusted with ski 

toe alignment. Improper toe alignment can cause erratic steering. See 

your dealer for adjustments.

WARNING

Improper alignment or adjustment may cause loss of steering control, result-

ing in serious injury or death. Do not attempt to change the ski alignment. See 

your Polaris dealer.

Replace when 

worn to top of 

groove

Minimum

Thickness

69

ADULT SECTION

Maintenance

Steering Inspection

Each week, or before a long ride, check all steering system fasteners. 

Tighten any loose fasteners. The stars in the illustration below indicate 

fastener locations.

Steering Adjustment

With the handlebars in a straight ahead position, and with vehicle 

weight compressing the suspension, measure from the straight edge of 

the skis at the center of the ski mounting bolt. The measurement 

between the skis at point X should be 1/8I (3 mm) greater than the mea-

surement at point Y.

NOTE:

If the skis are misaligned, we recommend that your dealer make the 

necessary adjustments.

X

+

Y

+

+

+

+

+

70

ADULT SECTION

Maintenance

Handlebar Adjustment

1. Slide the handlebar pad 

upward to access the 

adjuster bolts. If additional 

room is required, unzip one 

of the handlebar pad zippers 

and roll the pad to the side.

2. Remove the upper flange 

nut and carriage bolt.

3. Loosen the lower flange nut 

only enough so the bracket 

can move freely.

4. Position the handlebar to 

the desired height.

5. Reinstall the upper carriage 

bolt and flange nut.

6. Torque both flange nuts to 15-17 ft. lbs. (20-23 Nm).
7. Reinstall the handlebar pad.

Lower 

Nut

Upper Bolt

71

ADULT SECTION

Maintenance

Ski Skags

The skag is a replaceable bar 

attached to the underside of 

the ski. The purpose of the 

skag is to assist in turning the 

snowmobile and to prevent 

the wearing away of the ski 

caused by contact with roads 

and other bare terrain.
Check skags weekly to maintain positive steering characteristics. 

Replace skags when they are worn to half their original diameter.

NOTE:

See the dealer track studding and skag chart for recommended skags.

Skag Replacement

1. Raise and support the front of the machine so the skis are approxi-

mately 6" (15 cm) off the ground.

2. Remove the attaching nuts and pry the skag downward.
3. Remove the forward portion of the skag.
4. Reverse this procedure for new skag installation.

NOTE:

If the rear idler wheel 

assembly washers are 

removed, be sure they are 

reinstalled with the domed 

side of the washer facing 

outward as shown.

WARNING

Worn skis and/or skags will adversely affect handling and can cause loss of 

vehicle control, which can lead to serious injury or death. Replace worn skis 

and/or skags when inspection reveals wear.

Skag

Rear Idler 

Wheel 

Washer

Domed Side 

Outward