Argo response clicking noise when turning

[Cruiser812]

I have an argo 8x8 with the briggs 18hp motor that makes a strange clicking noise when turning. It seems to only do this at higher speeds (high gear) but sometimes does this at low speeds (high and low gear). The motor runs strong but it feel to have a substantial power loss when turning in high almost causing it to stop.

If anyone has any ideas on what i should check i would appreciate it. I have not yet had a chance to dig into the beast and would like a few possible ideas before I start.

[trevorakm1]

Lift it and check your bearings, if there is any wiggle in the tires look at the inner and outer bearings on that axle. You might have shot bearings that is affecting the slack on the chains to that axle and more slack means the chain could be riding up on the sprocket and back down producing a clicking sound. I had a clicking noise when I first got mine and this was the case, replace bearings.

Trevor

[ARGOJIM]

Where is the noise coming from?
Could be loose trans chains, drive chains, bad idler shaft bearings or, hopefully not ,the diff gears broken.

[Cruiser812]

The noise seems to be coming from forward of the drivers compartment on the passenger side.

[ARGOJIM]

Jack up the machine, check the front bearings and chains for play, if the chain is sagging I would replace both, if the trans chains are loose adjust trans. height.

[glen1971]

When my avenger was making a clicking sound in the front it was one of the tensioners had failed and the pad had worn through...

[Cruiser812]

I need to make some time to check it out especially with Duck season approaching here in MS. Im just worried im going to find more that needs repaired as it has 1600 hours on the machine. Need to buy tires as well as I shredded a tire on some rocks in climbing out of a rocky creek.

Thanks for the ideas everyone

[glen1971]

I need to make some time to check it out especially with Duck season approaching here in MS. Im just worried im going to find more that needs repaired as it has 1600 hours on the machine. Need to buy tires as well as I shredded a tire on some rocks in climbing out of a rocky creek.

Thanks for the ideas everyone

As crappy as it may seem, if it looks like it needs repairs, you are best to do them... If you let them add up, you are rolling the dice and reducing the reliability of the machine... Sometimes all it takes is a day to go through it after you are done a run, trip, hunt, etc to clean it up, lubricate it, grease it, and notice if there is anything standing out.. I learned from my recent chain tensioner experience how important it is.. The last thing anyone wants is to be stranded because of a breakdown... Especially if it is one of the "if I only would have..." kind... lol..

[Cruiser812]

Ive learned that lesson. Had it die on me due to build up of junk in the gas tank pickup line. It died while i was scouting and only had a set of needle nose vice grips to work with. I am getting ready to dig into the machine tomorrow as I have been busy at work.

[Cruiser812]

So i finally dug into the argo. It looks like the chains are all stretched and i have grooves carved into the wear pads on the chain adjusters. My qusstion is how much slack are the chains suppose to have. I did jack up the machine and check the wheel bearings and they seem fine.

[thebuggyman1]

1st off, if the wear pads are replaced it will help to tension the chain by it's extra thickness. These are designed as wear items and should be replaced regularly.......and they are cheap, like $4 each.
Your owners manual should say that the chains need to be replaced when the tensioner is at maximum adjustment and it wont keep the chain tight. I think this is a little too extreme. I'd replace them as the tensioner gets to it's maximum adjustment.....and much sooner on the front chains that are shorter.

[ARGOJIM]

The Response had 2 types of adjusters the scissors type and the ratchet type, I'm guessing you have the ratchet type. If the wear pads are wore deep the links will catch and dig/jump as the pass over them, which could cause a click.
If your adjusters are at the top it's time for chains and if nothing else do the front and 2nd chains along with the trans chains, replacing the slide blocks.

While chains are off take a 1/4" screwdriver and clean the junk out of between the double sprockets as it builds up there, I generally place the screw driver in the slot and spin the tire until gone and then scrape the outside of sprocket in same manner. While the chains are off also check the adjusters as the early style ratchet adjusters with the fine teeth would wear and round thus slipping back out of adjustment, if the slide blocks are severely worn check where they mount for a groove cut in them.

Once chains are replaced there should be no more clicking, if the chains were slapping the floorboards I guess the same where in order with maybe a broken arm or missing spring somewhere.

[glen1971]

So i finally dug into the argo. It looks like the chains are all stretched and i have grooves carved into the wear pads on the chain adjusters. My qusstion is how much slack are the chains suppose to have. I did jack up the machine and check the wheel bearings and they seem fine.

With the new pads on them, there shouldn't be any slack on the pad side and the slack should be on the bottom.. If, when you release the adjusting cam, up about 3/4 of the way of the ratchet, your chains will need to be replaced - if I remember correctly from what the dealer told me..

[Cruiser812]

I actually have what appears to be the scissor type (Self adjusting?) that was described as I did not see anyway to adjust for more on the chain. The wear blocks on a few of the tensioner actually have deep grooves from the chains itself. I went to get a quote from the local argo dealer here and its going to be roughly $500 in parts to replace all of the chains and wear blocks not including labor. I would do it myself but I do not have a good place to work on the machine. I will pull the pan and post a picture of the setup so everyone has a reference as I do not have the manual and not even sure what year the machine.