Argo repair cost

[hodgewater]

I just bought a 93 Argo vanguard 6 wheeler for $1500. After stripping the axles and chains, looks like it all has to be replaced. About $2500 in parts. Is it worth it or should I sell it and look for something newer?

[amphibious drew]

Build the machine, but try and do a better job sourcing parts. If you buy economically, you will use multiple suppliers to get what you need, not just an Argo dealer or much much worse, Richards Rejected Relics. eBay, members on here, and bearing and industrial supply houses would be a great place to start looking. Even having sprockets turned off and new ones welded on at a local shop could cut down on your spend. I have built, restored, and fixed several machines and never spent that much on a build. As far as buying newer, what I hear is spending more. Any machine you buy on the open market and not from a repeatable dealer or member will need some degree of rebuilding to ensure your safe arrival back from the trails. I prefer to buy cheap and rebuild everything.

[jpswift1]

Build the machine, but try and do a better job sourcing parts. If you buy economically, you will use multiple suppliers to get what you need, not just an Argo dealer or much much worse, Richards Rejected Relics. eBay, members on here, and bearing and industrial supply houses would be a great place to start looking.

Yes, avoid Richard's Relics or you'll quickly go broke trying to put a machine together and become very aggravated by the poor customer service. Also, Argo dealers are very pricey (but at least they have quality parts) so if you got your prices for parts through them, it'll be very expensive to rebuild your machine. Source bearings from places such as Buffalo Bearing. You can get quality USA made chain on ebay, and you can get axles made by 6X6World member Whipper-ag or you can locate good used axles here on the free classified section of 6X6World. You'll be spending A LOT less than $2500 on the rebuild if you go this route.

[Supermag]

I just did a complete rebuild on my 8 wheel Argo magnum this spring. It cost me about 2500$. Keep in mind that I added rear bearing extensions, HD axels and bearings on the 4corners, completly rebuilt both clutches, overhauled the transmission including the upgraded shifter shafts and hi and low range gears, replaced my 13 tooth idler shafts with 2 new 11 tooth idlers, replaced oil temp guage and completely rewired the machine. I bought some parts from Argo but allot came from industrial suppliers as stated in previous posts. I basically have a new machine for the cost of purchase and parts put in. I would deffenitely do it again. There is also a sence of pride during the overhaul and when it comes back to life. Good luck

Dave

[jpswift1]

There is also a spence of pride during the overhaul and when it comes back to life. Good luck

Dave

Absolutely! And plus, if something ever breaks in the future on your machine or someone's you are riding with, odds are you'll know what the issue is since you had your machine completely apart and get the machine back home safely.

[Bazooo guy]

After stripping the axles and chains, looks like it all has to be replaced.

Thats probably why you only paid $1500 for it.
Even if you put $2500 into it you will have a reliable 6 wheeler for $4000.
Putting it back together is the easy part.

[spookum]

Man. If it is more than 500 bucks for chains and bearings your getting hosed. It is easy to find TSUBAKI CHAIN in 10 foot rolls for a 100 bucks delivered on eBay.... Bearing should be like 4 to 6 bucks each. Big bearing supply.... Take your time and do your home work. Any used Argo u get is going to need something, eventually. Bite the bullet, do it right the first time. When your done it will be dependable. Stick with it!

[Rusty-Gunn]

I've gotten Argo parts from
Argo Adventure | Argo Parts
They also have free downloadable service manuals available on their site.

And bearings from
BearingsOn.com: Pillow Blocks, 2-Bolt, 3-Bolt, 4-Bolt Flanges, Radial Ball Bearings, Insert Bearings

To be fair, I also bought bearings from Richards Relics, with very good service shipping to Alaska. Not all companies like to ship to northern Alaska. Its like they think Alaska is a foreign country or some odd thing.

[spookum]

I've gotten Argo parts from
Argo Adventure | Argo Parts
They also have free downloadable service manuals available on their site.

And bearings from
BearingsOn.com: Pillow Blocks, 2-Bolt, 3-Bolt, 4-Bolt Flanges, Radial Ball Bearings, Insert Bearings



To be fair, I also bought bearings from Richards Relics, with very good service shipping to Alaska. Not all companies like to ship to northern Alaska. Its like they think Alaska is a foreign country or some odd thing.

True..... Manufacturing supply and big bearing supply do ship to North Pole alaska ( I always leave my phone number, people think it is a prank)... But then I'm not north of the Artic circle!

[hodgewater]

And gets worst. Estimate from dealer for axles, sprockets, hardware and inner bearings is $1300. Can get the outer bearings and chains after market for about $200, that's $1500 a side. Split the transmission last night, there are some gears warn. Dealer wants $1100 for a rebuilt one. I also need breaks and 1 rotor and new tires. If I do it all I'm going to be close on $7000 for that machine. Is it worth it?

[amphibious drew]

We need some pictures of these "toasted" parts. I think you are getting hosed on what "needs" replaced vs what just really should be serviced as well as the pricing for parts. I have built machines from trash for $1200 total invested. Do some research and stop calling the dealer. You may need to buy a few parts for your transmission from there, but not much else!!! It sounds like you bought a project, but that can be a good thing if you source your parts correctly. Now calm down and start your research. It can be overwhelming at first, but once you start buying from the right places, you will see how economical a rebuild can be. It can all fall into place if you take the advice of our forum members. They are here to help others who want to get into the hobby in a positive manner. I will admit, the first build is usually the most expensive, but if you take your time both buying and building stuff, it will be quite gratifying and will save you a ton of cash.

[spookum]

Is it popping out of gear? If it is not I'd run the trans the way it is. I'm still not buying the cost of parts. Call Adair Argo for axle parts, and that place out in cololorado..... It has one inner and one outer bearing. 10 dollars each delivers is still only 120 bucks for new bearings... All new hdi axles are spendy at 100 bucks a pop... But that is still only a six hundred dollar deal. If the tires hold air with out tubes, skip new tires and get Adair tracks. Chains: make sure they are double fifty ( I don't know what your machine takes)

http://shop.mobileweb.ebay.com/searchresults?kw=Tsubaki+rs50-2&cmd=SREF&fads=All&call=All&sort=BestMatch&mfs=GOCLK&acimp=0&isNewKw=true

There are a few good deals in there. . Look got tsubaki rs50-2 ( that means double strand #50 chain.

Settle down and take a deep breath... No way that Argo is worth 7k in repairs.... Someone is hoseing u buddy! Just find off the shelf parts... Other the trans and a does other people make them.

[KBSAK]

I bought my 1985 I/C for $1000.

I'll have $1500 in parts in it when the resto / rebuild is done. $600 of that is new tires.

You've got to shop around for parts to get the best price.

Source what can be sourced outside of Argo dealers. Bearings, chains, etc........

[Dan67]

Call other dealers. I'm sure one has some old used axles that where left over from an HDI upgrade. If I remember right the front 2 axles are the really long ones with key stock. Get in contact with whipper and see if he can make u 2 with splines + sprockets to go on them. Still be a heck allot cheaper then buying new.

[hodgewater]

Thanks for all the advise. The parts that were the most expensive were the axles and the transmission. Got the rest from Wajax. Prices up the parts for the transmission ($500) from Argo and then discovered the main shaft was badly warn so I ordered a rebuilt transmission for $1100. The Axles were grooved where the bearings must have been slipping so that is why I got new ones. Couldn't get the sprockets matched up, and had to get them from Argo.
Think this machine had a hard life. Lots of lessons learned on this one.