Conquest chain changing

[Jswente]

Hello, first post so apologies if it's not in the right place. I picked up a conquest 8x8 on a trade deal for an old 4wheeler. Has the Kawasaki 20hp. With a tiny bit of work the engine runs great. Biggest problem is that it sat with the drain plugs in and the chains are extremely rusted. I have been soaking them in oil to loosen them up for removal but am curious about the bearings. How much of a job is it to replace the bearings?

[Mike]

Hello Jswente, welcome to the forum and congratulations on picking up your Conquest. If the chains are that rusted, you should really replace them. Otherwise, they will not last very long until they leave you stranded or cause additional damage to your sprockets. For your bearing question, if you look on the front page of the forum, in the how-to section, there are several videos showing you how to replace bearings on both an Argo and a Max. Most amphibious ATVs are similar when it comes to bearing/axle replacement. So, take a look at those videos and see if it's something you want to tackle. Good luck with your rebuild.

[Jswente]

Thanks mike, I am definitely changing the chains, they are rusted to the point I can't even move the machine. Just debating on bearings. At roughly $650 for the bearings and seals it's definitely taking some consideration. However I know it will be easier to do while I'm doing chains. Guess I will get the chains off and go from there.

[Vance in AK]

Somebody else would have to give you part #s but I believe quality bearings and seals are available from non-Argo sources for significantly less money.
I bought a mid 80s machine last summer with the exact same issues. I replaced the chains but ran out of time to replace bearings & seals before moose season so I greased them well, ran it a couple miles & greased them again & took a chance (I wouldn't have taken the chance in the back country if there wasn't a second machine along). I put 60ish miles on it with no bearing issues. Hopefully this spring will see an engine rebuild & fresh bearings & seals.

[Aahicnow]

I agree with Vance the biggest expense i had on my 84 was the chains, the bearing and seals where the cheaper part. I bought the bearings through a local bearing supply.

[locolouie]

we changed some bearings on my 94 conquest, most was easy to a point but 2 was nightmares, bearing , go to buffalo bearings for them

[Jswente]

Looks as though it is rc50-2 roller chain? My family is in the forklift business so roller chain is readily available and I can cut my own for 1/3 of what argoadventure.com charges. Do you happen to have the part numbers locolouie?

[Dan67]

I would definitely recommend changing all the bearings if it was sitting long and the chains rusted out. All together there are 20 bearings in the running gear of the 8x8 conquests. 8 outer, 8 inner, and 2 on each of the idler shafts. I use Buffalo Bearings (800) 669 - 8019

The outer bearing and the idler shaft bearings are the same size and use a UC206-20. 62mm diameter bearing with a 1-1/4" bore with set screw and grease fitting.

The inner bearing is a UCX05-16. 62mm diameter bearing with a 1" bore with set screw and grease fitting.

For the seals that go inside the outer bearing flange, best to get those from an Argo Dealer. Argo part 102-14 (CR12361) and 102-15 (CR12379). One has a slightly larger diameter then the other.

As for the roller chain 50-2 and about 35' altogether.

[Jswente]

Chains are definitely a pain to change when they are rusted on. Took the better part of a day just to get them off. A lot of work with a wire wheel on a grinder and I got the sprockets back clean. Now I need some new tires and a working fuel pump, first pump didn't work out of the box, and I'll be off and Argo'ing.

[curtisbyrne]

That's the best way to live life some times.take it easy do the jobs right but don't get fet up with it. Just Argo on!

[Jswente]

Also I was to cheap to order the $40 modified vise grip for connecting the chains and though "ehh I'll figure it out". Well I did, I went to the hardware and bought a store brand pair of needle nose vise grips for $12 and took the grinder to them and made a notch about 3/4 up on each side. Ground on them a little on the sides and back so they fit the chain and they worked like a charm. I liked the needle nose idea because they open further and I could work the chain onto the sprockets better.

[Jswente]

Last question. Do you guys use regular chain and cable lube or do you use white lithium Grease on your chains? Chain and cable lube seems a little thin but I'm no expert on argo's yet. In the forklift business we use grease on all of our chains but they also aren't spinning as fast.