The worse time to break down!

[Twizted1]

Well got the green machine out filled her up with fuel and took her for a little spin. We have about a foot of snow that is supposed to drop tomorrow and wanted to do a little test playing. So when the real playing began she would be ready. Was doing good, when all of a sudden she stopped. I thought it slipped out of gear, never happened before but have heard of it happening. So tried it again in hi. Nothing. In low nothing. In reverse it went a foot or so then nothing. Now when I say nothing I mean no movement. There was an awful grinding noise though. When I would give it throttle it would clatter and grinds sounded horrible. Not sure what to check first ? I'm sure it's going to call of major surgery and won't be hashed out in time to try the tracks out this time around
Any ideas on what to check first? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[ARGOJIM]

Check for a sheared key on the driven clutch, I'd guess the dif. gears are broken and trans needs to come out..

[Twizted1]

Check for a sheared key on the driven clutch, I'd guess the dif. gears are broken and trans needs to come out..

I'm expecting the worst. How do I check the shear key? I noticed that when I give it gas the clutch still spins. But when it's in gear I can spin it with 2 fingers.

[rodp]

when you spin the clutch with box in gear can you see if the input shaft is turning or not (that's the shaft with the clutch on)

[Twizted1]

when you spin the clutch with box in gear can you see if the input shaft is turning or not (that's the shaft with the clutch on)

Clutch and shaft spin together in all gears. Is there a rebuild kit for the trans? Is this something I could do myself? I think I can get it out and out it in. Just not sure about rebuilding it myself.

[Twizted1]

Also is there anything else I should replace while I'm in have it torn apart? Anything I should becareful of?

[ARGOJIM]

When you get it tore apart you're either gonna see a lot of carnage or get really lucky. There are instructions in the manual section TR. Inspect all gears for chips and sharpness as the are mostly straight cut gears. Gears are not cheap.
While in there I would replace all bearings and do the idler/jack shaft bearings as you will be right there.
The discs on the trans can be bothersome and may be stuck on shafts requiring heat or a puller to remove. Be careful not to crack the cover plate when removing.

You may end up with this when done, I suspect at least 3 of the dif. gears are broken, the bolts holding the cage to large gear may have broken also.

[Twizted1]

Thanks for the info. How does that happen? I wasn't going crazy. Well not this time anyways. Lol. I have changed the the idles bearings on the right side of the machine, and had the brake cliper off on that side. So I know at least on side will be kind of easy. Should I tear it apart myself, or should I find a rebuilt one? That looks pretty intimidating. Really appreciate the help.

[thorn]

Thanks for the info. How does that happen? I wasn't going crazy. Well not this time anyways. Lol. I have changed the the idles bearings on the right side of the machine, and had the brake cliper off on that side. So I know at least on side will be kind of easy. Should I tear it apart myself, or should I find a rebuilt one? That looks pretty intimidating. Really appreciate the help.

Sorry to hear of your trouble. One thing to consider if you don't already have it and you are possibly rebuilding the tranny. If you run tracks a lot having the low ratio gears in there gives the machine a lot more grunt. Most Conquest owners are always looking for a bit more power and the 3:3 low tranny really helps. Just an FYI.

[2014SE]

Don't be too intimidated. Some times worrying is worse than knowing. Some times you expect the worse and tear it down and find its a simple fix. one time I had a 4sp tranny in a Chevy that wouldn't stay in gear, tore it down and it was one snap ring!! $0.79!! Only one way to know how bad yours is and that's get the tools out and dig in. Good luck!!

[2014SE]

Step Bo step instructions starting on page 339. Looks easy enough I think I can even do it!!

http://www.argoadventure.com/uploaded/files/Argo%20Parts_Service_Operators%20%20Manuals/Service%20Manuals/Argo%20Service%20Manual%20-%20Pre%202010%20Models.pdf

[Twizted1]

Thanks guys. I do run tracks now. Maybe that contributed to the problem? I will look into the low gear trans. Thanks 2014SE for the link. I'll print that out. I'll have to pull it out this week ,pop it open and see what's going on in there.

[spookum]

Dumb question. On the output shafts are they keyed or splined? I had my Argo do this. It broke both the keys on the output shaft. With the engine off, put it in gear. Have a helper spin the clutch. Use a flashlight to check to see if the output shaft is spinning inside the spockets. It just seems strange to me that the trans failed to foamy and all at once.... I really think it was the keys in the output shaft. They use woodruff keys from the factory. The problems go away when you put real key stock back in.... I'm not sure what year your machine is. Also, look at rebuilt trans from the Argo factory as an option....

[2014SE]

Thanks guys. I do run tracks now. Maybe that contributed to the problem? I will look into the low gear trans. Thanks 2014SE for the link. I'll print that out. I'll have to pull it out this week ,pop it open and see what's going on in there.

They made a mistake when they built my machine, I ordered the standard high speed tranny and they put in the optional low gear tranny,,,,,, I don't like it at all, it seems to over reve and will only go 25-26km. With escargo tracks on it still goes 25-26kmph, I don't see why I'd need the low gear tranny. I want them to put a standard high speed tranny in, I didn't order a low gear tranny and when you buy a custom ordered machine and pay full new price you should get what you ordered. If I was pulling trailers allot or had someone else driving it I'd maybe want a lower speed but for us regular guys I want that 20% more speed. It's your choice and we all have our own ideas of what we want our machine to do and if need be theirs a low range there. I never use low range other than parking or doing a U turn on a narrow trail, I think I used low 2 or 3 times. That's my thoughts on low gear, high torque trannys.

[Twizted1]

Dumb question. On the output shafts are they keyed or splined? I had my Argo do this. It broke both the keys on the output shaft. With the engine off, put it in gear. Have a helper spin the clutch. Use a flashlight to check to see if the output shaft is spinning inside the spockets. It just seems strange to me that the trans failed to foamy and all at once.... I really think it was the keys in the output shaft. They use woodruff keys from the factory. The problems go away when you put real key stock back in.... I'm not sure what year your machine is. Also, look at rebuilt trans from the Argo factory as an option....

I was wondering the same thing. Kind of strange I would loose all 3 gears at the same time. Something else that I find odd is, when I give it gas, shouldn't the clutches draw the belt tight and spin the output shaft? The belt is real loose and won't spin up. I still fear it is the trans though. I put it in gear and spun the clutch, the clutch and shaft spin together as one. I pulled the dip stick out and it looks like metallic paint instead of gear oil. It didn't look like that the last time I checked it.