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  • Argo Avenger Rebuild

    Greetings!

    I'm new to the forum and currently rebuilding a 2007 Avenger 700 that my dad owned for the last 5 years. He was using the machine to make the 1/2 mile drive from the farm house to the duck blind. Last winter it threw an idler chain and had been sitting in the shed until I picked it up in July.

    20200727_183607.jpg 20200620_180534.jpg 20200626_131145.jpg

    Since then I've been acquiring parts as it clearly needed all chains and bearings replaced. During the disassembly I found that most of the axles were frozen in place and the inners (with the stamped hub) were all bent.

    The bigger surprise was to find the outer idler shaft bearings were completely gone! On both sides the idler shaft was wearing against the bearing retainers...the balls and outer races had grenaded and were scattered about the inside of the tub. I also found where someone installed an outer bearing in place of an outer and the axle was flopping all around...not sure what Einstein was wrenching on this thing previously

    At this point I'm way more invested into this than I had planned (new axles, bearings, chains, axle seals, brake discs, idler shafts, all sprockets. Basically everything that rotates was trashed but I couldn't tell until all the grease and dirt was washed off. I probably could have reused most of the sprockets, but they were showing a lot of wear and I don't want to rebuild the machine again for a while.

    I ended up removing the upper tub and have everything removed from the lower tub aside from the frame. After pressure washing the whole thing, it's pretty clear the frame needs to come out for painting.

    20201110_200110.jpg

    Does anyone have experience with this? I'm a little scared to cut those "Magna grip" rivets that hold the frame/tub/skid together, as I have no way to reinstall those. I'm not sure if I could use standard blind rivets or bolts/washers as they won't be waterproof.

    -Josh
    Attached Files

  • #2
    You can use bolts, I've done it before.
    sigpic

    My new beer holder spilled some on the trails - in it's hair and down it's throat.
    Joe Camel never does that.

    Advice is free, it's the application that costs.

    Comment


    • #3
      Thanks ARGOJIM. Did you have to do anything to seal the holes?

      I also found this tool today, I think it would work to replace the Magna Grip fasteners. https://www.baysupply.com/2673364/Pr...l-Tool-GO-12-P

      Comment


      • #4
        That looks like it would work. When I used bolts I just used fender washers for the seal, you could add silicone and smaller washers.
        sigpic

        My new beer holder spilled some on the trails - in it's hair and down it's throat.
        Joe Camel never does that.

        Advice is free, it's the application that costs.

        Comment


        • #5
          Today I cleaned up the powerpack frame, it was super grimy and a little bent where the transmission bolts up.

          Unfortunately there is a pretty substantial crack on both sides of the frame. I'm not sure if it's due to the transmission being overtorqued or some other reason. Is it a common failure in these machines? I'm trying to decide if it's best to straighten it up and weld the cracks or if it needs some reinforcement added to the sides...
          20201124_165254.jpg 20201124_165239.jpg

          Comment


          • #6
            nice job your doing on your machine...argo jim will give you some good guidance . seems as long as cracked frame parts are out , reinforce those cracks and weld it up . then you know it's good to go. enjoy the process , i like watching the work unfold .. johnboy va.

            Comment


            • #7
              Thanks for the help so far argo Jim and johnboy. I've never owned anything quite like this before.

              I'm still debating how to strengthen the powerpack frame. I drilled a small hole at the end of each crack and TIG welded both sides using ER70-6 filler. It was clamped to the table for welding and allowed to cool... came out pretty straight, but I'd still like to strengthen it, just trying to decide how.
              Attached Files

              Comment


              • #8
                Your welds look good. Perhaps bolt the transmission back in the frame along with the brake discs and figure your bracing from there, if there is enough room perhaps you could cover the existing bolt holes with your plate. Just continue to check clearances as you go and don't forget the mount through bolt lock nut tab unless there is enough room to go inside.
                sigpic

                My new beer holder spilled some on the trails - in it's hair and down it's throat.
                Joe Camel never does that.

                Advice is free, it's the application that costs.

                Comment


                • #9
                  I gotta know, what the heck is bolted to that vanguard in picture 4? A trash pump?
                  sigpic

                  My new beer holder spilled some on the trails - in it's hair and down it's throat.
                  Joe Camel never does that.

                  Advice is free, it's the application that costs.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Thanks, but it's mainly the result of having access to decent welding equipment... the fabricator at work is currently out on vacation so I've been making myself at home! The vehicle frame is getting sandblasted right now so I'll check fitment when I get it back home.

                    I'm not sure if it should tear down the transmission next, I checked and it's an earlier model without the updated retaining ring or reverse gear.

                    Also, is it worthwhile to reinstall the front tensioners or not? It looks like Argo did away with those later on.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      That weird looking contraption is a jet turbine APU from the late 50s (Garrett AirResearch GTP70-6-2). I picked it up last year from a guy on Craigslist, mainly because it shoots fire and sounds awesome. It's pretty fun to take to car shows and makes a decent snow blower too...

                      It's just sitting on a wagon in front of the Argo in that photo. Sometimes pictures look fine on the phone or laptop, but are sideways when I upload them, can't figure that one out.

                      Thanks for all the help so far and have a happy Thanksgiving!

                      20200607_130029.jpg20200607_130019.jpg

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Joshwho44 View Post
                        That weird looking contraption is a jet turbine APU from the late 50s (Garrett AirResearch GTP70-6-2). I picked it up last year from a guy on Craigslist, mainly because it shoots fire and sounds awesome. It's pretty fun to take to car shows and makes a decent snow blower too...

                        It's just sitting on a wagon in front of the Argo in that photo. Sometimes pictures look fine on the phone or laptop, but are sideways when I upload them, can't figure that one out.

                        Thanks for all the help so far and have a happy Thanksgiving!

                        [ATTACH=CONFIG]18482[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]18483[/ATTACH]
                        I thought the exhaust tube looked fire breathing, but on the phone things look different, hence the vanguard thing.
                        sigpic

                        My new beer holder spilled some on the trails - in it's hair and down it's throat.
                        Joe Camel never does that.

                        Advice is free, it's the application that costs.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Every garage should be so lucky to have a fire-breathing APU! THAT is very cool. I like your reason for picking it up..."because it shoots fire and sounds awesome". What other reason would possibly be needed?!

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Got the frame back from the sandblaster and there are a few issues to fix, mainly related to the missing idle bearings. Once I get these problem areas welded up I'll be able to start painting.
                            20201202_165000.jpg20201202_164951.jpg20201202_164942.jpg

                            The Kohler engine decided to keep inline with the whole "when it rains, it pours" theme of the project. Somehow the flywheel lost a couple of magnets and one damaged the water pump pulley, but the stator looks fine. Now I'm trying to figure out if it's better to add an external alternator or replace the flywheel assembly, as the magnets aren't available separately.
                            20201202_153845.jpg

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by Joshwho44 View Post
                              Got the frame back from the sandblaster and there are a few issues to fix, mainly related to the missing idle bearings. Once I get these problem areas welded up I'll be able to start painting.
                              [ATTACH=CONFIG]18497[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]18498[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]18499[/ATTACH]

                              The Kohler engine decided to keep inline with the whole "when it rains, it pours" theme of the project. Somehow the flywheel lost a couple of magnets and one damaged the water pump pulley, but the stator looks fine. Now I'm trying to figure out if it's better to add an external alternator or replace the flywheel assembly, as the magnets aren't available separately.
                              [ATTACH=CONFIG]18500[/ATTACH]
                              Oh, I know this feeling.

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