We took the Turtle for a ride

[ARGOJIM]

Not a typo the industry markets those as socket head bolts be they Allen or Torx as you insert a tool in the socket of the head, a standard bolt is marketed as a hex head, the rounded head most screws have are button heads and there are many other industry terms for head styles.

[Rusty-Gunn]

Not a typo the industry markets those as socket head bolts be they Allen or Torx as you insert a tool in the socket of the head, a standard bolt is marketed as a hex head, the rounded head most screws have are button heads and there are many other industry terms for head styles.

Thank you for clearing this up..I've never heard an Allen/hex bolt being refered to as a socket head before.It is good to learn this though, as it will reduce a lot of the frustration we went through yesterday.

[Rusty-Gunn]

The wife and I got the front axle installed, the new bearings greased up, and the idler chain back on. Overall, it went back together a lot easier then taking it apart. Photo 1 shows the inner bearing flange bolts being tightened using ratchet extensions to reach through the axle hole.
We'll install the other chains tomorrow.

I noticed in one of Rock Doc's vids he used a vice grip to help locate the outer bearing so he would know the location this bearing ought to be so it could be locked down with the set screws, so we did the same thing. (Photo 2)

[Rusty-Gunn]

So, its like this... we finished installing everything, lubing the chains and all bearings, and got the Turtle off the blocks. We worked on it all week.

We did notice one chain tension slider is missing from the front chain, so I ordered one a few minutes ago. I'll install the front chain after this slider comes in.

This was a nice way to learn about our Avenger. I'm sure we can handle replacing bearings just about anytime, any place now. Whenever something else breaks we'll learn to fix them as well. We'll be sure to consult the mechanics on this site for advice. Thank you all for helping us out, as it gave the wife and I the confidence we needed to complete the job.

[Mike]

Nice work. The good part is that the rest of the axles / bearings should be easier to access compared to the front one so it should only get easier from here.

[Rusty-Gunn]

Nice work. The good part is that the rest of the axles / bearings should be easier to access compared to the front one so it should only get easier from here.

Unfortunately the left front will need a change of bearings,but at least I know how its done. We'll tend to the besrings ss they need attention. Without this site, its members, we would be having a worse time of it.

[Rusty-Gunn]

My oldest daughter and I rode the Turtle to the local power plant to fill the righthand tires. Although it's running seven wheel drive until the slider gets it it does track straight. I've got to say I'm very pleased with this Argo. My brother wsnts us to take it out on the tundra this weekend. I hope to post pics of that adventure.

[Rusty-Gunn]

We had four people on the Argo on a ride to, and on, the beach. Driving on loose dirt/ sand is a bit different than hard dirt roads. It takes a bit more throttle. I almost got stuck a few times until I remembered the technique of braking the side that spins, which gives power to the other side.
We also put the Turtle in the water for a minute for the first time.

[Rusty-Gunn]

A final note to this thread. We got the uhmw chain tension slider in the mail today. We got it fastened to the right front tensioner then instslled the chain. It is eight wheel drive now. To give this Argo a good test drive we took it out on the tundra this evening (we're running 24 hours sunshine now) and were mighty impressed with how well it ran. 'm loving this Argo more everytime I drive it. This is going to be a wonderful summer.

[JoeMeg]

I've been reading this thread. Glad to hear your getting a handle on things. That Argo isn't quite as intimidating anymore,is it?

Joe.

[Rusty-Gunn]

I do admit the thing was intimidating, with how unusual it turns, as compared to our Honda Rancher, but after putting roughly ten hours riding it over the past week it is getting better each time. I truly enjoy it a lot. I am getting used to how it runs. It isn't differ cult at all.