Do i Have to remove the engine to change the steering shaft\handle bars on a 1979 Arctic cat jag 340 free air

Welcome
Yes it will be real easy.
Remove the bolts that hold recoil
remove springs on exhaust
Remove motor mount through bolts (nuts)
Then just lift and set it on edge of belly pan

Straighten cross shaft
Replace the Him Joint (tie rod ends)
Steel skis are a pain but you can get ski skins from Sno Stuff

kccats said:

Welcome
Yes it will be real easy.
Remove the bolts that hold recoil
remove springs on exhaust
Remove motor mount through bolts (nuts)
Then just lift and set it on edge of belly pan

Straighten cross shaft
Replace the Him Joint (tie rod ends)
Steel skis are a pain but you can get ski skins from Sno Stuff

Click to expand...

ok sounds good how many bolts are there for the mounts
and do you think i need to disconect wiring

4 no
Just lay it on the side of belly pan, but make sure it doesn't fall off
LOL

@kccats thank you sounds good
as of right now the issue i have is getting the ski and spindle off came off easily on my parts sled
and i dont have a torch to heat it unless i goto my brothers an hr away but its probably worth it

Give it a shot of PB Blaster

as of right now the issue i have is getting the ski and spindle off came off easily on my parts sled
and i dont have a torch to heat it unless i goto my brothers an hr away but its probably worth it
[/QUOTE]

kccats said:

Give it a shot of PB Blaster

Click to expand...

mainly what was stuck was the tie rod link i had a pry bar that was bent so i ground it down to more of a point and tapped it in and it came right off the a block of wood in the spindle and a hammer till it was flush then allitle punch spindle was bent so it didnt matter if i screwed up the threads next thing is pulling the bars

The tie rod ends can be had aftermarket
Should be no reason to remove the handle bars

kccats said:

The tie rod ends can be had aftermarket
Should be no reason to remove the handle bars

Click to expand...

i dont need the ends, my steering shaft is bent from a crash, i went through the windsheild, and i remember my foot getting caught on the bar i not sure if thats what bent it tho.

What bent?
The steering shaft?

The steering shaft.

OK then most every Cat used that shaft

I would try to just straighten it!
After looking for some reason the bars are attached to the shaft?
You could upgrade to a std shaft and newer style bars and controls
Best place to find these parts are at snowmobile swap meets later this fall

kccats said:

I would try to just straighten it!
After looking for some reason the bars are attached to the shaft?
You could upgrade to a std shaft and newer style bars and controls
Best place to find these parts are at snowmobile swap meets later this fall

Click to expand...

i have i beleive 10 jags most for parts like 3-5 fixable
bought as a lot so ill see
but i probably will just use some off a parts sled and yes the bars are attatched