Argo 8x8 I/C - Need Source for Axles, other questions, backstory...

[mountaingoat]

While looking over my new (to me) argo I noticed some little metal balls sitting in the bottom of the tub. I recognized these as ball bearings and assumed, being that the argo is 30+ years old, that they were junk left in the bottom from some long ago owner. Upon some more observation I realized they were actually from a current bearing in the argo

I kicked the wheel and saw it move about an inch.



First thought was, "yeah! now I have a reason to rip into this thing" and start working on it. Second thought was "oh crap", this is going to get expensive quick.

I cleared the garage out enough to get the argo in, jacked up the right side and removed the wheel. Upon doing this I noticed that another wheel was spinning freely...the chains are still attached...Then I noticed the pins were gone in the sprocket that would hold it to the axles. I found them in the tub. They are bolts that someone attempted to tack weld into the sprockets.



So now the realization is setting in that it may take some time to get this thing back up and running. I've got some work around the property that this unit would make life a lot easier to do, but that ain't happening now.


So here is what I got:
1: One trashed axle, 1 1/4" pinned style
2: Trashed Inner and Outer Bearings on two axles (I believe the inner and outer bearings are the same size)
3: Slopped out roll pin holes on two sprockets (inner and outer on same axle)
4: 8 worn, weather checked tires (AT22x11-8's)

Here's my list of issues, I can start a thread for each if that would be better (Mike?)

#1: Does anyone have any advice on how to proceed on the axles and bearings? I have read the threads on upgrading the axles to splined and using the HD bearings. Not sure the budget can afford that. But looking for a replacement axle has also been an issue.

#2: Can anyone point me to sources for axles for the I/C Argos? This unit looks to be a mid 80's with an 18HP Kohler Engine. 1 1/4" axle, pinned...

#3: Tires, do tires really run over 100.00 each for these things? And where do you guys buy tires?

#4: Any other random thoughts or wisdom to share on the adventure I am about to embark on replacing axles and bearings?

I may end up tearing the whole thing down and doing a full rebuild but that would put me well into 2014 at my work load and cash flow before it would be done.

Thanks everyone in advance!!
Tom

[mountaingoat]

I found the outer flanges and bearings at BuyArgo.com is America's Argo ATV Super Store - Grand Junction, Colorado
They have a replacement axle for the pinned 1 1/4" (p/n 605-72) listed as 810-113. This looks like a splined HD axle and refers to part bulletin #96 and #120

Anyone know where I can find those parts bulletins for an Argo, google has been letting my down on these older argo searches

[trevorakm1]

try beaver dam argo they have quite a few references to download free. check all your axles might have more bearings to replace. check your idler shafts also, i had one of those bearings gone. make sure you clean all that stuff out well don't need something bouncing into the drive train out on the trails causing damage. go to buffalo bearings for replacement, great to deal with. i use the same argo dealer in colorado for parts and parts west argo, but try adair argo, Tim seems like a real helpful guy, and on here quite often.

[Dan67]

I would plan on replacing ALL the bearings in it. You might want to replace all the stamped flangettes to.. they are not that expensive.

[spookum]

axle wowes...

I feel your pain brother, one thing you may not know is the front two axles are "longer" than the other six. This is a REAL pain, as parts do not readaily "exist" to replace the long axles.

My solution was to extend out the frame rails to make it accept "normal lenght axles" and stepped up to HDI axles and bearings.

If you want to keep costs down, you can go to a machine shop and get somone to build you new axles.... you can even make them strong enough not to fail.

Bearings are not too expensive, if you go to Big Bearing supply.... about 1/10 the cost of what argo wants.

This is what i did, feel free to ask any questions. it would take you way too long (ask me how i know) but it gives good ideas for your situation. It also details how to "change" argo axles lengths in the front by modifiying the frame

http://www.6x6world.com/forums/argo-...ll-others.html

[plott hound]

when i rebuilt my older I/C most newer argo parts fit.bought all axles accept the front 2 from argo.had the 2 fronts made for me at a machine shop.all the flanges,bearings,gears were available from the dealer.upgraded everything to splined axles.check out my build in this argo section.

[Rusty-Gunn]

What does "I/C" mean?

[jpswift1]

What does "I/C" mean?

I believe it means "Industrial/Commercial".

[mountaingoat]

I started to pull the two messed up axles out. The #3 axle with the trashed bearing, I have the setscrews on the bearings removed but can't get the pins out of the sprockets. I tried drilling them and this is sort of working but I broke a drill bit off in one. I modified a bearing puller rig to try and push the pin through and that didn't work. Thost suckers are really stuck. I will try some heat next and if that fails more drill bits.

The #2 axle had the pins fall out. I have the outer setscrew out of the bearing but the inner set screw will not budge. I bought a longer 5/32 allen wrench and will try that tomorrow night. I've been soaking everything in a rust penetrating solvent for days but this stuff is really seized up.

It looks like there's a lot of room to work on this stuff until you start trying to swing a 4lb hammer at a 6" pin drift. Or trying to get a standard L shaped allen wrench into a setscrew that is just inside the lip of the frame rail, not much room for leverage on the wrench.

I have a buddy that has a 3 in 1 mill, lathe, drill press at his house. He makes parts for his racing motorcycles and go carts. Once I get an axle out I will show it to him and see if he thinks he can make me one or 8. Otherwise I'll start checking with some of the machine shops we contract to for work.

I'm hoping to get some work on it over Thanksgiving. Right now my plan is to get it able to drive so I can finish getting firewood off the top of the mountain then in the spring do a full rebuild. We'll see how that plan goes once I get these axles out. I might not have a choice but to replace all the bearings and axles now.

More to come.

[jerseybigfoot]

Hit the pin on alternet ends until it moves. Then cut the pin down close to the sprocket with a grinder. The shorter the fit the easier it will move. Each time it moves cut off the long end and push it back out the other side.

[mountaingoat]

I got the #2 Axle out finally. It took an 18" allen wrench and some leverage but the setscrew finally popped loose. I was then able to use a 2x4 to brace the hub in between the lugs to keep the axle from spinning and tap the locking collars to loosen them up. A search of the forums provided the direction to tap/beat the collars in, "towards the rear of the argo", on both the inner and outer bearings. The outer bearing collar came loose with a couple taps. The inner took a coors light and a BFH but it let loose. So a six pack later and one axle is now out.

I'll post a picture of the axle this evening. It has been worn down in the center where the sprockets are located. The pins must have been out of that axle for a while because the axle is worn pretty good.



On a good note, the place I work has a machine shop and one of the guys from the shop said he could work up a fix for the worn axle. So we'll see how that works out. It will probably cost some deer jerky.

Now to start working on those pins in the #3 axle...getting the grinder out

[mountaingoat]

New bearings have been orderd through a supplier we have at work, 9 bucks each, we'll see how good they are when they show up. HC206-20 is the part number I used, 1 1/4" ID, 62mm OD with eccentric locking collar and setscrew.

Ordered a bunch of other parts from buyargo.com so I should be able to do all the bearings, a couple outer flanges and all the inner flanges. I'll need some chain at some point too. By the time the parts show up I will hopefully have the axles out and ready to re-assembly.

[spookum]

I bought two 10 foot rolls already. This is a good deal on SUPER quality chain. If you need double fifty chain at all that is. Tsubaki 50-2 Double Strand Roller Chain, 10 ft.(foot) Riveted, New | eBay

As time and money present itself, it is good to keep and eye on old ebay

[mountaingoat]

thanks for the ebay information on chains. I will keep an eye on those auctions.

I am still struggling to get the roll pins out of the #3 axle. I have ground them down flush with the sprockets and been pounding on them. They are not moving. My grinding wheel isn't big enough to grind all the way to the axle or I would do that. So now I need some new options. Maybe a bigger hammer, or some heat?

Guess I know what I'll be doing all day Sunday.

[jerseybigfoot]

The bins may be bent slightly preventing them from moving.
You may be able to anneal the pins to drill them out by heating them red hot and slowly cooling them down. precautions should be taken to only heat the pin and not burn up the plastic body.