Avenger 06 woes

[xrover]

Well, what I was thinking was user/dealer issue my Argo, I am thinking it is more systemic with our Argo. A bit of a timeline:
- our 3rd Argo - we are not newbies
- bought in spring 2006
- took to dealer in fall 2006 for track install and maintenance 30 hrs - dealer noticed a lot of chain wear on the right rear chain and replaced it
- June 2007- warranty ends
- Nov 2007 - took into dealer for track install and maintenace for 80 hrs
- Dec 2007 - with only a few hours on it, tore off right rear axle/hub - suspician on track install as dealer was fairly new
Jan 2008 - replaced rear axle
Feb 2008 - still getting windup and noticed that rear right chain won't respond to tensioner - it looks like it does not seat fully in rear sprocket causing the bottom of the chain to be slack, top to be so tight there is not even 1/8" of slack - limited use in Feb
Mar 2008 - this past weekend, with rear chain removed went out for a run with a buddy - 3km into the bush, the left front hub seperated from the axle. We removed the track, removed the tire, and then started the arduous task of winching and pulling and driving a 1/2 tracked vehicle across 3 feet of snow. Got 1km from the main road when the right front hub seperated from it's axle. As I tell my buddy, offroading is about making it back.

So, we have 103 hours on the clock, had it dealer serviced 3 times, kept up chain lubing inbetween, know how to ride Argos, and we've bought 2 right rear chains and now blown 3 axle/hubs. I have contacted ODG as I suspect there is more to this than meets the eye. The press fit for the axle/hub is a bit dodgy (anyone do a spot weld on this to stengthen it). And the chain/sprocket problem seems a bit out of norm for us. Never had these issues with our old Conquest (ran Bouldoc rubber tracks fine) or Bigfoot.

Stay tuned. Any other recent Avenger owners having similiar issues? ODG is sending someone over to the dealer to check it out. The dealer mentioned that he has seen a number of avengers come in with simliar issues.

[Cougar]

Wow

Good luck, I looked at a Avenger before I got my Conquest. I got it at Leo's it's be a good one. Hope you get it worked out. Cougar

[xrover]

ODG comes through

ODG has agreed to replace all the axles and chain tensioners as the '05/early '06 models had less than worthy axles. They had only a single pass weld (I could not see any weld and figured they were just press fitted), and therefore with a track were subject to early and easy failure. They are also replacing the mangled track connectors from when the hub gave way. So overall, I am pretty impressed with the speed that ODG acted on this (I called them at 10am today and they called me back at 2:00). And ODG provides already one of the longer warranties (1 year vs avg ATV's of 6 months) and have extended ours out to June 08.
So, perhaps a happy ending.

[philipatmaxfour]

Odg Comes Through

Xrover- What great news. Congratulations. What state do you live in?

[xrover]

Sorry, Ontario............ODG looking after their closest customer. But I was very happy. Not only that they came to the table, but they did it in 4 hours. A lurker on this board rides with me and has my old Bigfoot. He had a quad which had a defective rear hitch and at 7 months old the mfr would not do anything to help him. He broke it pulling his 3 kids in a plastic trailer, so not much pull at all, hence must have been defective. Needless to say he is a very happy Argo owner now.

[lewis]

I also have an Avenger but mine is a 2007. Have had great service out of it but i dont have tracks. Good to hear that they stand behind there machines. Glad you are back in business. Chain tensiors what was the deal there?
lewis

[bostatv]

Good Afternoon Gentlemen,
The Avenger is a very capable vehicle in comparison to the Conquest. Problem was when the Avenger was constructed it had more horse power (26) and 25x11.5x9 tires and wheels opposed to the Conquest which had 20 HP and 22x10x8 tires and wheels. With the greater horsepower as well as the much heavier tires and wheels it creates much more stress and strain on the lower undercarrage than did the Conquest. Unfourantly the Averger uses the same basic chains, bearings and alxes that the conquest did. Then the Avenger came out with the 31HP EFI unit which generated even more stress on the lower undercarrage. Add a set of aggressive rubber tracks to the already stressful undercarrage and of course we increase breakage, create chain windup and even bust bearing races. Cutting the original track and adding the 2 in spacer has helped somewhat provided the driver maintains a proper tire pressure. Tires do need to slip inside the track to avoid chain windup. Have a great Argo day ---- Ken

[Roger S]

Welcome Mr Bost. (an argo dealer in North Carolina) Will be nice to have the benefit of your experience.

[bostatv]

Thank you for the welcome, Roger. Have a great day and where ever we go we ARGO
Ken

[Robio_8x8]

Good Stuff

Sorry, Ontario............ODG looking after their closest customer. But I was very happy. Not only that they came to the table, but they did it in 4 hours. A lurker on this board rides with me and has my old Bigfoot. He had a quad which had a defective rear hitch and at 7 months old the mfr would not do anything to help him. He broke it pulling his 3 kids in a plastic trailer, so not much pull at all, hence must have been defective. Needless to say he is a very happy Argo owner now.

In the long run this was a good decision for ODG
I herd about it and would be more willing to fork over the big bucks for new machine seeing that the warranty actually means something

Tell me Xrover do you have to get all the servicing done by them to honor the warranty?
Or can you just sow then receipts for oil, filters etc?

[xrover]

Never had that discussion with them. They never asked for reciepts either. I believe ODG honours the warranty regardless of who serviced provided you use OEM parts. They know their machines will be in locations where no dealers are. And there is not an over abundance of dealers to be found.

[salamander]

ODG has agreed to replace all the axles and chain tensioners as the '05/early '06 models had less than worthy axles. They had only a single pass weld (I could not see any weld and figured they were just press fitted), and therefore with a track were subject to early and easy failure.

Do all early '06 models use the same shabby axles? (the Bigfoot I am most concerned with)

[xrover]

probably but the Bigfoot engine power and weight may not be as much of a factor, and I don't think it was a shabby issue but perhaps that the original design was a single bead weld. I never had any issues on the Conquest or a Bigfoot in the past like this. As mention in the threads by bostatv the Avenger added a lot.

[lamonte Halleran]

avenger hubs,2006 MODEL

Hi Guys Just Wondering If Anyone Else Had Any Trouble With Their Hubs Breaking Off With Or Without The Tracks On.
I Talked To My Argo Dealer And Told Him About The Problem And He Said Just Weld On 3 Brackets On Each Axle And It Should Be Fine.
I Paid 30 K For My Rig With Trailer And I Should Not Be Welding On Anything.

Do Anyone Have Any Pics Of These Brackets? And Will The Welding Burn Up The Seals On The Axles.


Thank You

Lamonte

[lewis]

Hub

Hub? I have a 2006 Avenger. What part are you calling the hub? The portion of the axle that the rim attaches to? Part #21 axle assy Per parts listing. Have you been running track and which style? Rubber or plastic. I have had no trouble with this at all but, i have never had tracks on my machine. How many Hubs have done this?
Be careful welding on the axles as you may freeze(weld) other parts also. As you know chains touch about all surfaces of the machine. Where you ground your welder is very important.

Just trying to get some info before i speak.

Do you have any pictures?