1991 (I think) Argo Magnum 8x8 Questions

[Gruffy]

This chain interests me. Says it's shipped from and sold by Amazon, so likely at least halfway legit. I have half a mind to order up a bunch for my Magnum.

This was my thought on it. For 25 dollars and free prime shipping, what's to lose? Thats enough chain to redo the argo twice for 25 bucks!

[Gruffy]

This chain interests me. Says it's shipped from and sold by Amazon, so likely at least halfway legit. I have half a mind to order up a bunch for my Magnum.

Rudy, have you noticed anything in particular about the magnum I need to pay attention to?

[Gruffy]

Okay.. hit a snag and need some help. I have replaced all the bearings sans the ones on the idler shafts and they are some grumbly bearings. I guess I like to save the best for last. I have removed all the bolts on the bearing retainers, removed set screws, and the shafts are absolutely glued in place. I have used kroil, a torch (within reason), impact hammer, hydraulic expander, etc. with no success. Short of cutting them out and ordering new idler shafts at ~450 us bucks, what options do I have? The bearings on the inboard under the tranny were never greased and both have gritty spots with one obviously skidding at certain points due to detritus in the bearing.

[Mike]

Are the bearings stuck to the retainers or the idler stuck to the bearings or both? I would cut off the outside retainer and start cutting the bearing with a cut-off wheel. Once you get into the bearing a good ways without cutting into your idler shaft, use a chisel to crack the bearing off.

[Gruffy]

The bearings are glued to the idler shaft, which means the shaft can't be removed. I finally got the one on the left out with a hydraulic expander by keeping it under tension (not enough to bend frame), heating with a torch, shock cooling with kroil, and hammering on it like it owed me money. The one on the right that runs under the battery frame has now come out via 4" cutting wheel. I was thinking about starting to cut into the bearing, but the clearance on the right side is almost nil. Good news is i'm only out for one shaft.

[Canadian_Zuk]

I'd go at them with a cutoff wheel first as well but I'm not exaclty clear with what your dealing with. Bearing races are hardened, an air chisle with a quality chisle bit will make short work of them. Cover them up very well with rags to prevent shrapnel damage to your face. Cutting them off is best but ocassionally I find myself dealing with a bearing that's inner race has fused to a shaft and I'm without a grinder (up North), I just lay the bearing on something hard (granite rock) and put a rag over the bearing and then just smash it with a hammer, the bearing race shatters and no damage is doneto the shaft. With the shaft still in place you should be able to air chisle the inner race after the lock collar is removed.

[Gruffy]

These had fused to the shaft. The clearance was so small on the right with the battery frame I just cut the shaft and will replace it. Thank you for the tip! Next time I will use the air chisel. I started life as an aviation mechanic and an air chisel was a rare bird around an aircraft!

[Gruffy]

Zuk, I wanted to say thanks again for the bearing tip. You saved me a lot of time.