Idler shaft bearings & Thrust Washer bolt

[Twizted1]

I have a 97 Conquest. Started working on it today and run into a couple things. First, I was removing the bolt that was supposed to be holding the thrust washers on. It is broke. Part of it is still in the end of the axle.
Second, I have to press a bearing on the idler shaft. How far on should it be? The other was flush with the end of the shaft. Is that how it should be? Also If I have to press it on, why does it have set screws?
Any help is appreciated.

[ARGOJIM]

The bolt that holds the axles from walking are locktighted from the factory so you may need heat to remove it. None of the idler shafts should have pressed on bearings, if the are not countersunk for the set screws (which sets your depth) somewhere about 3/16 off the weld on sprocket.
You may have to clean up the shaft so bearing slides on to it.

[Twizted1]

The bolt that holds the axles from walking are locktighted from the factory so you may need heat to remove it. None of the idler shafts should have pressed on bearings, if the are not countersunk for the set screws (which sets your depth) somewhere about 3/16 off the weld on sprocket.
You may have to clean up the shaft so bearing slides on to it.

There is a counter sink on that end. But the bearing I got wont even start on the shaft. I cleaned the shaft with brake cleaner and some fine sand paper. I will try again. The bolt is snapped off. Looks like someone snapped it before & put some red LT on it to keep it in place. Not sure if I can have it drilled out. I hope I don't have to buy a new axle. I am having a heck of time getting this axle out. The inner bearings are stuck on. I may just cut them off to get the axle out to get a closer look at it.

[ARGOJIM]

The red LT is from the factory, back then they were toying with many things including red LT on the bearings. cutting the axle is an option but you may want to cut the inner flange and slide the inner bearing through the frame and out but you can only do this on the 2nd and 3rd axles, once the axle is out you can apply heat and slide the bearing out and perhaps just unscrew the bolt while the axle is still hot.

[Twizted1]

The red LT is from the factory, back then they were toying with many things including red LT on the bearings. cutting the axle is an option but you may want to cut the inner flange and slide the inner bearing through the frame and out but you can only do this on the 2nd and 3rd axles, once the axle is out you can apply heat and slide the bearing out and perhaps just unscrew the bolt while the axle is still hot.

Well I did get the idler shaft back together. Just had to file the edges of the shaft. It got banged up when the bearing went. As for the the axle, it is the front right that I can't get out. Not sure what my options are at this point. The inner sleeve of the bearing won't slide thru the frame on the front? There is nothing sticking out on the bolt to get a grip on it. I don't think I could cut the axle very easy, could I?

[JoeMeg]

The bearing extension on the front should house the outer bearing. The bearing can't go in so one wont pass from inside to out. I suppose you could remove the brg extension but then again that may just be opening up another can of worms. Or you could cut the outer race of the inner brg in two places with a cut off wheel in a hand grinder. Then it will fit thru the brg ext.

Joe.

[plott hound]

my front right axle would not come out either.since it was going to be replaced i just cut it off with a sawzall,took mere minutes.

Well I did get the idler shaft back together. Just had to file the edges of the shaft. It got banged up when the bearing went. As for the the axle, it is the front right that I can't get out. Not sure what my options are at this point. The inner sleeve of the bearing won't slide thru the frame on the front? There is nothing sticking out on the bolt to get a grip on it. I don't think I could cut the axle very easy, could I?

[Twizted1]

my front right axle would not come out either.since it was going to be replaced i just cut it off with a sawzall,took mere minutes.

Sounds safer than my idea of using the plasma cutter. I'm going to call after lunch and price an axle. I found hd a axle for around 90 bucks. But it says you may have to modify the axle extensions. I'm putting on Adair's hdi bearings,bnot sure if it will still need to done or not. I just want to ride man! Lol

[JohnF]

Sounds safer than my idea of using the plasma cutter. I'm going to call after lunch and price an axle. I found hd a axle for around 90 bucks. But it says you may have to modify the axle extensions. I'm putting on Adair's hdi bearings,bnot sure if it will still need to done or not. I just want to ride man! Lol

Call Adair. They will make the kit so you don't have to modify anything.
I would use the plasma cutter. I look for excuses to use a plasma cutter. Might have to cut that axle into little bitty bits...

Cover everything that you don't want burned with soaking wet rags.

[Twizted1]

Call Adair. They will make the kit so you don't have to modify anything.
I would use the plasma cutter. I look for excuses to use a plasma cutter. Might have to cut that axle into little bitty bits...

Cover everything that you don't want burned with soaking wet rags.

Just got off the phone with Mike. Parts are on the way. For 82 dollars it's not worth fighting with the old one. Should be here Monday. Time to fire up the plasma cutter.

[Twizted1]

Well got it all back together. We got about 8" of wet snow. So I took her for our first real ride. Had a blast. Wondering about a few things tho. Is it normal to get so much chain slap on the floor? Also seems like it is hard turning at times. I tried hard to get this thing stuck in the snow. Never happened. This thing seems to go up and over anything. Here is a pic of some of the action. I wanted to see if this thing could climb this 5' or so mound of snow. Not a problem at all.

[jpswift1]

I rode in a couple Argo 8 wheelers like yours and they did the same thing with the chains slapping on the floorboard. Also, the Argo relies on a differential transmission to steer. A differential robs quite a bit of power and isn't that efficient, so it will sometimes be hard to turn and the engine will bog down, especially when in high range. Come up to Ashtabula, Ohio in June for the big ride and races and take it out on the trails and have some fun with it there. You can also take a look at and drive other machines out there because you'll most likely not be able to stop at just one AATV, you'll want to have a whole fleet now that you know how fun they are.

[JohnF]

... Is it normal to get so much chain slap on the floor? ...

Hard to know of what you are experiencing is normal but yes, in model of that era it is normal to have the chains slap the bottom of the floor. The chain tensioning system in these uses only spring tension and when the tight side of the chains swaps from bottom to top (and maybe the other way too) it happens violently enough to throw the tensioner (and probably chain) up at the floor.

Other machines use tensioners that ratchet and lock and so probably don't get the floor slap.

... Also seems like it is hard turning at times. ...

jpswift1 already explained that this is the nature of the beast for this transmission. If you are moving along at low throttle it helps to think a bit in front of the turn and add power.

... This thing seems to go up and over anything. ...

LOL - when you get used to this you'll sort of take it for granted. Then when you are out crawling the hills with friends and family that ride quads you might find that the pack is way off the trail you've made because they can't follow.

[Twizted1]

Thanks for the info guys. A fleet of Argos! Hmmm lol. I will try and get to Ashtabula, sounds like fun. I would like to try an Avenger. Until then I will practice, alot!, on my driving skills.

[jpswift1]

Thanks for the info guys. A fleet of Argos! Hmmm lol. I will try and get to Ashtabula, sounds like fun. I would like to try an Avenger. Until then I will practice, alot!, on my driving skills.

Na, not a fleet of Argos, a Max, an Attex, a Hustler......one of each. At least.