Argo Shear Pins

[watpress]

I'm looking for shear pins for my argo axles. Seems I can't get any locally and anyplace I have found online wants $40 shipping for 5 pins which seems outrageous to me.

Anybody have a good reasonable source for these? By the way I live in Canada.

Also are there any alternatives?

[Craig_B]

Havent a clue but I will be watching this thread for an answer myself.
Maybe Brafasco?

Where in Canada are you? Ontario here.

[watpress]

Havent a clue but I will be watching this thread for an answer myself.
Maybe Brafasco?

Where in Canada are you? Ontario here.

I'm in Saskatchewan. So far the dealers here that I've contacted don't have them and aren't interested in bringing them in.

[JoeMeg]

Is it possible to poke a screwdriver or similar tool through the end to turn it til it loosens a little?

[ve1sar]

Hi, I don't know if you found the proper shear pins or not. I read in the past that argo owners
have used 5/16 bolts instead. The bolts have to be modified by cutting of one side of the head off
so it will slide down past the sprocket. The bolt will have to be longer than the shear pins because
you will have to bend the threaded end out to put a self locking nut on. Hope this info helps. Paul

[Gordy67]

Hi folks,
I was just about to ask the question “what is a good substitute for the original shear pins” or spirol pins as they are described in the parts manual.
I have a friend who is familiar with the old Vanguard model that uses these and he tells me it very common that they fail.
I can also confirm that it doesn’t take much abuse to have them fail. On a recent outing I broke the pins on the two front axles on an 8 wheel model, giving me obviously very little drive and operation of the brakes.
I managed to pick up 12 pins from my local dealer in the Highlands of Scotland but I’m keen to use something a little bit more stronger than the pins. I realise that given the age of the Argo and the fact that holes for locating the pins can be oval with wear causing a snatching at the shear pins.
I think I may go check out some bolts that may suit.

[YellowKodi1]

No do not use bolts as a replacement for the spirol pins. Bolts are too strong. The reason for pins is to make a weak point in the drive system to prevent axle snapping or other drive train damage. Spirol pins are, to best describe them, are a thick sheet of metal rolled up to form a spiral same as rolling up a piece of paper tightly. These pins are very strong by design yet will yield if torqued on hard enough. You can use a 5/16 spring roll pin as this is a common replacement for Spirol pins. You can make a roll pin stronger by getting the next size down pin and hammering the two pins together but separate the splits in both of them 180 degrees apart to form a very strong pin.