Frontier Front Axles...

[Silverbullet75]

Hi,
I have a question about the front axles on the Frontier. According to the manual, ALL models have a "floating" sprocket on the front axle, which requires no set screw. I'm really nervous about this and need confirmation from another Frontier owner or knowledeable person. I got home from a fun morning of play and noticed that the sprocket on the left front had slid about 3-4 inches over! I grabbed it and slid it 3-4 inches the other direction. I saw the hole for a set screw on the sprocket, and the counter-sink on the shaft-spline that line the sprocket up perfectly 90deg with the chain. So, it "seems" like it NEEDS the set screw.
So, I added one. (found at Lowes). Now wondering if I need to remove it.
BTW... the part in the manual where it says NOT to use a set screw was in the IMPORTANT! section...
Help!
I don't want to break anything by putting a screw in, or not putting one in.
Also... found that no screw was in the RIGHT side axle either! But, that one does not slide around..
Thanks!

[MaxRules]

The front axle has always been a floating sprocket on all models. Clear up this one for me though, you said the sprocket moved 3-4 inches? That's impossible since there is a chain on it (hopefully!). A very slight move left or right is all the chain will allow and the design works very well and does not need a set screw. I don't see how they could move more than 1/4" either way without throwing the chain.

[Silverbullet75]

Sorry..
Let me rephrase:
The sprocket moves about a total of 3-4 inches.

Something like this:

[====X====]
.......^ H ^
..........H
..........H
..........H
..........H

Ok... that's a very crude drawing... sorry! LOL

[Roger S]

Well Brandon and I are about being able to slide the sprocket that far. Sounds like a very loose chain.

On my Response, if you put set screws in the front sprockets, it looks ok at a glance, but using a straight edge it's off by a lot. I think the inner sprocket on the idler/counter shaft is not on the same centerline as the other inner sprockets. And if the frontier is like older argos, the lateral positioning of the idler shaft can vary an 1/8" depending on where the bearing set screw is tightened.

I would take the set screw out and worry about why the chain's so loose I like to use anti seize on the axle where the sprocket rides, as a lube.

[Silverbullet75]

According to the dealer's mechanic, the front axles don't have tensioners and basically don't matter if they are loose.
???

[MaxRules]

That clears it up. I would remove the set screw and leave it as it was. Like Roger said, the set screw might cause a slight misalignment. I am just as suprised as you are that the design works, but it does.

[Silverbullet75]

Ok .. here's a video of the problem.
Still ok as is?

YouTube - Argo Chain/Sprocket issue..

[greggv2007]

It does look like it has an excessive amount of movement. Myabe you could put a collar on the shaft to restict the amount it can move

[eddieb1965]

Looks like the chain may be worn out,I dont think a new chain would let the sprocket move near that far.I would replace the chain ,for no more than it would cost. Eddie

[lewis]

Silver, the Avenger has no set screws in these locations either. Looked at mine it does not move like that. I think the guys are right, looks like the chain has a lot of stretch in it.

Roger made a very good point: anti-seize.

Lewis