New to Argos and looking for opinions/help

[1989argo]

Hello everyone, I am new to the whole forum thing as well as argos. With that being said I am sure you can imagine I am going to have a whole lot of questions that I hope the good people of this forum may have answers to or ideas anyway. I recently acquired a 1989 Argo 8x8 it cane with an 18 Kohler but was replaced with a 17 Kohler. I have only had it for a few days now and I am looking to get it into tip top condition. My first and most important question for now or problem I should say is as follows... When I turn with the Argo it doesn't turn very well even on gravel or grass also when I do turn it makes a lot of clunking noise that sounds like it may be coming from the pads that push down on the chains? I'm not sure if this is because maybe I need new chains or what the case may be, I'm not scared to spend money on the thing but I don't want to start buying parts that I don't need either which I am sure everyone here can appreciate. Also I know I could take it to the local dealer for servicing but then again I know basically nothing about the machine and I cannot learn by paying the dealer to fix it every time something goes wrong. Which I understand will be quite often. I look forward to hearing the input of everyone on this issue and thank you in advance. P.S I live in northern Ontario.

[Mike]

Welcome to the site. For your clunking noise, that could be bad bearings, chains that need to be aligned or replaced or other problems. I would start by raising the machine in the air (one side at a time if you have to) and check the bearings / axles for play. You can turn the tires while you have it off the ground and listen for noises coming from the chains or sprockets. Be sure to check to make sure that the intermediate shaft bearing housings are tightened down. If they come loose, it can cause popping like you describe. I think when you get the machine in the air you can start narrowing down the problem. If you need further assistance just start a new thread in the Argo forum.

[guyfox]

First welcome to 6x6world. I am sure there will be a lot of people jumping in with things for you to look at.

The clunking noise that you are hearing may be your chains jumping on their sprokets 9possibly idle sprocket. You should check to see how tight the idler chain are. There should only be about 1/8inch play in the idler chains.

Also check your sprockets to make sure they are not worn (pointy like shark teeth) and all chains for stretch.

Argos are very hard to turn from a starting position. You should have some movement (forward or reverse) before you try to make your turns.

Download the argo maunals from either beaverdamargo or from this site...

http://www.6x6world.com/forums/content/section/421-argo-manuals.html

This should get you started and best of luck.

[1989argo]

Thank you for the assistance so far, another quick question does anyone know off hand how much play there should be in the drive chains?

[Twizted1]

The noise you hear could also be chain slap. When you brake to turn left or right at speed. If you feel the chain hit your feet hen this is done, then it could be slap. Very common. I would still check everything over & repair anything you find wrong.

[1989argo]

I just went out to the Argo to have a look... yes when I do turn I can feel it. Also I think my problem has a great deal to do with a stretched chain. I looked and the chain isn't super tight by Any means. For example there are steel brackets under the chain in certain areas and the lower part of the chain is resting on them when in neutral and turned off, not sure if it tightens a bit when in gear? But if it should be considerably tight when in neutral and off, it isn't. So I'm thinking I might need new ones... ball park figure anyone know how much all new chains will cost? I checked the bearings and there is moment in 5 out of eight wheels so come next week when I can make it to town I am just going to buy eight new ones and then I know they stand.

[guyfox]

If there is not to much moment in the bearings try greasing them to see if that helps.......If you are going to buy bearings then consider upgrading.....also check out local bearing dealers....may be cheaper then buying from an argo dealer...

[1989argo]

Excellent suggestion thank you. We have a company called Nordic bearing that is local and are a rather large outfit I assume they can probably do the job for me with the bearing, likely better or equal to the dealer bearings. Likely at a fraction of the cost. Do you happen to know of hand what the dealer bearings are worth in cdn funds?

[guyfox]

I usually check out prices from Argo Parts Manual Library this is in USD but still gives me a bit of an idea. My local argo dealer is pretty close in price and that is here on the rock....best of luck.

[Rusty-Gunn]

Actually, each axle uses two bearings, one inner and one outer. Their mounting flanges might need replacing, too. All are not very expensive.

[thebuggyman1]

Argo's new style bearing has the seal integral to the bearing. This solves the problem of the seal wearing a groove in the axle. It is a very high quality bearing, and I'd suggest the conversion. adairargosales - HD Bearing Adapter Kit It is fairly expensive to do all at one time, but after the initial upgrade, any future bearings are a reasonable cost.

[Boggie]

When and if you do your chains go with good chain or you will see a lot of stretch in cheap chain. We bought all of our chain
For our conquest 40 feet, it was about 400.00 for the really good stuff for all of it with links
We also did the HD bearing kits on the back axles

[Diverdave]

I am also totally new to this, from Aberdeen in Scotland and have the same argo. Mine would not turn on tarred roads, ground and slapped and was basically a pig. I tightened the idler chains - 5 minute job. Found the brakes were binding and the fluid was like black coffee, so changed this and freed the calipers - an hour. I then replaced all the chains, a whole day and really bad on the back, but actually easy enough. it is now brilliant to drive, really responsive and easy to turn when moving. it will actually turn from basically stationary if required. I could probably do it in half the time now, long nosed mole grips were the key to it.

The bearings were all dry, and both front and rear ones have a little movement. i have greased them and plan to drive it a little and then re grease. If this does not help then i will change them but think grease will really help. Tomorrow we plan to re wire it, as it is all a bit messy and bodged, and this will help i think, i just want everything reliable.

The roll cage is going back on this week, big winch and then off to the mountains stalking deer. it appears to be an awesome bit of kit.

I see from an earlier post the idler chain bearing adjusts, not seen or found this yet, little help?

Dave

[guyfox]

DiverDave

check out the home page manuals then go to argo section wheels, axles and chains. It describes how to adjust idler chains. Here is the link

http://www.6x6world.com/forums/content/section/421-argo-manuals.html