Removing plastic tracks.

[Rj1]

I'm not sure if this is my 4th or 5th post because of all my questions on my Vangaurd. Thanks everyone so far every question or issue I've had has had fast replays from a few members. I'm thinking of taking my tracks off for a while the reason for this is because the main place I ride is about 3/4 of a mile from my home down a old paved road and I think if I keep driving on the pavement I will wear them down fast. I know there's a set screw in a long pin that I have to remove then take the long pin out my question is how hard is it putting the tracks back on ? When I have the tracks off I can grease all the fittings behind the wheels to. I watched a video of a guy putting tracks on without removing the long pine but they were rubber tracks so I don't think that will work with the plastic tracks. Plus I want to see how it rides without tracks. Is there any easy way of getting the tracks back on?

[trevorakm1]

do yourself a favor once tracks are off. go to Lowes and buy some 1/4" rod longer than the original track pins. I think they are 1/4", thread one end and bend the opposite end 90 degrees then another 90 degrees after that to form a hook. I did this to avoid seized set screws from original track pin set up. I keep the hook on the outside of the tracks, super tracks and the hook rests on the outer flange of the track on the inner surface. I started with the first bend 90 then 1 1/2" bend again and that then is the long portion of the pin and cut and threaded that section 3/8" longer than the track width so I could put a washer and a nylock nut to secure. Makes track disassembly super easy once front and rear tires deflated. Your dims may vary but make two. Always put the nut on tub side incase it comes off so pin walks out away from tub.

[msafi65]

I’ve had to cut the pins on either side of the lock collar many times. Just couldn’t get a setscrew out. Going back on is pretty easy with front and rear tires deflated. I usually need a ratchet strap to pull them the last little bit. That’s a great idea to make a removable pin with a lock nut.

[Laird]

I have removed my tracks by deflating all the tires then pulling the front tire off. Its kind of awkward. I also have had to zip cut the rod on both sides of the lock collar to pull the pin out. You can get them on by the same method of removing them I described......only opposite of course but it can be a real bit#h. I have found the easiest way for me, was lay the track out, drive into the middle, let the air out of the tires and stretch them on. I also employ a ratchet strap to help the stretch. That being said , I have only put them on and off a couple of times. Haha. Masifi65 answered you as I was writing. Didn't see the post till I posted.

[Grizzly10]

Pick up a 90 degree push on grease gun connector. It slides over the zerk fitting. You can grease everything with the tracks on. Works awesome, won’t break your zerk fittings. It looks like a regular grease gun end with a notch up the middle. Lock n lube makes one. Make sure it slides on and doesn’t clip on.

[Rj1]

These tracks must have been on for a while because I can't get one set screw to turn and I'd like not yo strip them if I can help it. So I hit some PB blaster and letting them soak. But I think I will try doing it without taking the tracks apart and see how that goes. I've watched a few videos on it but I think all of them were with the rubber tracks in not sure though. I'll let you all know if it works or not.

[Rj1]

Does anyone know where I can buy the rod and collar & set screw for the 13.5 plastic tracks?

[msafi65]

Most Argo dealers have them available. I really like the idea of a threaded rod for master pin. Would be east to find and pull out. The rod is just 1/4” cold roll steel. Available in big hardware stores in 3 or 4 foot lengths. It’s not worth the time spent to get out set screws. Having tracks split will make installation much much easier. I’ve done this in the swamp and it’s an all day job to reinstall tracks and wheels as a unit.

[Rj1]

Msafi65. This I'm am finding out my self. I gave up after about an hour. Trying to keep tracks together and removing them is a pain in the ass. I should not be doing any of this because of my surgery last week on my leg but I hate just sitting around. All the set screws are all rusted and I soaked a bunch of the in P.B blaster but no luck so I think I'm going to have to cut a pin on both tracks to get the off that's why I'll need the new rod and collar.

[Laird]

Once you cut the collar out, then you can put it in a vice, put some heat to it and back out the set screw. Then use a i/4 in punch or slightly smaller and knock out the piece of rod. Then you have your collar and all you need is ,as mentioned is a piece of 1/4 in. cold rolled. If you have a dealer close, the collars shouldn't be to much but if not a local machine shop can make them. I have taken 3/4 cold roll and made them out of that. I don't have a lathe but a hacksaw, center punch and drill press works. Then drill and tap for the set screw....that's if you have the needed tools and the time and patience. But as mentioned, the dealer very likely will have them. I make all this stuff cause I can and I am cheap and have the time. All part of the fun of these machines. Careful of that leg. Sooner it heals the sooner the real fun begins.

[Rj1]

Laird. Your so right I love working on my machines and that's one of the things that drew me to the Argo it's so straight forward. There not like the newer Atv's were if a little censor goes your beating your brains in to find the problem. They keep making the new atv harder to work on yourself just like cars. A person needs to be an engineer anymore instead of a mechanic. Your also right about my leg I should at least wait tell I get my cast off in a week before I do anymore . sitting around drives me crazy and I'm not a TV person can't sit there all day and just watch Tv .

[Rj1]

I got both sides off today. The one side was no problem coming off the other side I had to cut the rod at the collar to get it off. The reason the one side was kinda easy was because the set screw was missing then I checked both tracks and a lot of the set screws were missing but even without the screws the rod would not move on all but one. Now I can take all the wheels off and grease all the bearings. Now all I need is one rod and collar and a bunch of screws for all the missing ones.