should i replace all my outer bearings or just wait?

[martwell]

Bering ans Crazy-carpets!!!

Thanks again RD, i will tell you how my ride was since it's gonna be this friday afternoon with couple of friends. Im pretty sure it will be ok

See ya
Martin

[martwell]

Bering number

Hello guys I was wondering if you had the part # off of the bearings? I wanted to go get some at the bearing dealer thought it would be cheaper (usually is) So if you have the actual # off the bearing or the box I would appreciate it. By the way I have the same bigfoot year and all except I just hit 170 hours.

Hi akpride, as long as bering number, i would, for the first time, bring on of your bering to be sure that they give you the good one. I got some bering number here but i don't have the same machine. I don't want to give you the wrong bering number and make you buy something that don't fit your machine. If someone is really sure witch bering number he needs, fell free to complete my message. hope it will help

Martin

[akpride]

bearing #

Thanks martwell! Good post good info and I will probably just pull one out when the time comes. The argo shop wants a preety penny for those bearings and I have access to a good bearing store. I just put my tracks on and went out this morning ran real good. I didn't notice any slope in my axcels but I am sure it is coming plus it is nice to have a spare set with you. Again thanks for the info good luck

[jnjmoonsfishing]

I have to go and look up the part numbers. Just got back from a cold hunt. Wish I had the argo instead of a buddies 4x4. The tracks would have made the trip alot nicer. akpride. I just ordered both from route 6x6. The inner number is ucx05-16. The outer is uc206-20. Made by HBC. The U might be a v but it looks like a u to me.
The bearings form route 6x6 at $25.00 apiece and shipping to alaska was flat rate mail.

[Ratman]

This is a common problem in the Argos. Premature bearing failure is mainly caused by the chains being too tight thus putting a heavy side load on the bearing and of course mud and debris.I have encountered this same problem on 3 of my axels with my 1rst failure @ 200hrs and my 2nd and 3rd @216hrs.After the frustration of the repair and the price I started paying close attention to the chain tensioners. I ended up grinding all the teeth off of the two rear adjusters for a test to see if the chains would get too tight. I only did this because I had two spares. It worked! now my chains in the rear don't get guitar string tight anymore. I will try this with a couple more problem tentioners in the future. You can actually pull the axel out without un-doing the chains, just loosen the set scews. And they go back in just as easy. When you have your axel out make sure to chuck it up in a drill press and drill a set scew recess hole on the flat spot of your axel where I believe the outer bearing rides ( correct me if I am wrong ) and be sure to use red locktite on the set screws. I have learned all of this the hard way. It is also a good idea to put the machine on jack stands and whobble each wheel to check for play and inspect every chain and sprocket for wear and missing master links after every ride. I am probably repeating what someone else has already told you but I hope this helps you out because these parts are exspensive

[jnjmoonsfishing]

Ratman. After having 1 bearing fail I ordered all new. Glad I did because all the other outer bearings looked bad. I think the main cause in my failure was not to tight of a cain (mine appears fairly lose). it looked like poor PMS. Lots of rust and lack of grease. the more I look at the machine the more I will fix/PMS prior to using the machine again. When I pulled 1 of the chains i did not have the master link retainer.

I bought the machine with 120 hrs and it has 140 now. Cant wait to put the tracks on and take the kids for some fun ride. Still have a learning curve. ie. mainatance and all that.

This sight has given me alot of info and ideas. will post more photos soon.

[Rock Doctor]

I have to go and look up the part numbers. Just got back from a cold hunt. Wish I had the argo instead of a buddies 4x4. The tracks would have made the trip alot nicer. akpride. I just ordered both from route 6x6. The inner number is ucx05-16. The outer is uc206-20. Made by HBC. The U might be a v but it looks like a u to me.
The bearings form route 6x6 at $25.00 apiece and shipping to alaska was flat rate mail.

I would not be suprised if you could get them cheaper localy, at a bearing supply outfit. The one I get mine from is called "BC Bearing". The exact same bearings as you get from Argo, but at 1/2 the price.

I don't remember the cost of Argo axle bearings, but I just ordered a bearing for my quad, not long ago. Price from HONDA = $67.95........Price from BC Bearing = $12.95


RD

[Rock Doctor]

. Premature bearing failure is mainly caused by the chains being too tight thus putting a heavy side load on the bearing and of course mud and debris.I have encountered this same problem on 3 of my axels with my 1rst failure @ 200hrs and my 2nd and 3rd @216hrs.

Hey Ratman,
Are you running an older Avenger by any chance?

Oh ya, welcome to the site

RD

[Ratman]

Rock doctor thank you for the welcome. My Avenger is a 04' and I have done alot of work to it in the last year. Inner and outer bearings on 3 axles, welded up muffler twice now, built new idler chains.This is my first Argo and they seem to be high maintenance but easy to work on. But I love the machine. I have done alot of mods in the last 2 years. I need tracks.

[artist1018]

There is a set of Argo tracks listed on Craigslist, in Michigan. Go to Central Michigan section and type in Argo. The post is from Dec. 21st., but still listed.
Good luck!!

[Rock Doctor]

Rock doctor thank you for the welcome. My Avenger is a 04' and I have done alot of work to it in the last year. Inner and outer bearings on 3 axles, welded up muffler twice now, built new idler chains.This is my first Argo and they seem to be high maintenance but easy to work on. But I love the machine. I have done alot of mods in the last 2 years. I need tracks.

The reason I asked, is that I have only encountered the "Chain Tensioner Problem" you described on a '05 Avenger. They can be upgraded to the newer style if you want.
Also, keep an eye on your idler chain bearings. If the trans side brng fails, the shaft will ride up and the idler shaft sprocket flange will grind against your brake rotor. (Idler shaft brngs are the same as an outer axle brng, if you carry a spare)
One last issue I encountered with the early Avenger is the trans.......It is possible to get it "Most" of the way into gear, but not all the way. This can lead to one of the gears sliding on the shaft. I believe it has to do with a weak snap ring (retaining ring). I have also heard that a jolt to the shifter can cause this retaining ring to fail (ex. kicking the shifter when getting in or out of Argo). I have only encountered this trans failure once, but was told that it was not uncommon on the early Avenger.

RD

[Ratman]

I put the new style chain tensioners on the chains for the 2nd set of axles back. I noticed they have alot bigger teeth. They also ratchet up tight also, but not as bad as the old ones. As far as the tranny goes I have noticed a few times it being hard to get in and out of gear. Looks like I will be checking out the tranny soon for worn parts. As far as tracks go, anyone interested in trading a tricked out jeep for a set?

[jnjmoonsfishing]

So Rock Doctor, the bearings for the Idler shaft are both the same as the outer bearing? Thanks again for all the help. Hope to get a chance to play in your neck of the woods on day. Looks like you and your family have a lot of fun.

[greggv2007]

bearings

Hi RD. You said you bought your bearings from BC Bearing. Can you also get all your seals from them?

[Rock Doctor]

So Rock Doctor, the bearings for the Idler shaft are both the same as the outer bearing? Thanks again for all the help. Hope to get a chance to play in your neck of the woods on day. Looks like you and your family have a lot of fun.

Yes, the 2 idler shaft brngs are the same as an "outer" axle brng.
In one of my vids, I show a piled up Idler shaft brng in a '05 Avenger. We had no spares with us, but we had another "Broke Down" Argo close by. I stole an axle brng from one to fix the idler shaft on the other. Then, of course I had to make another trip into the area to replace that Axle brng.
The akward part of the whole thing was that I never consulted the guy that owned the "Broke Down" Argo, about stealing his brng........While I was on my way in to replace parts that I took, he flew a Chopper in to sling his Argo out to the road. You can imagine his suprise when he got there and his machine was............Not all togeather, shall we say.

Hi RD. You said you bought your bearings from BC Bearing. Can you also get all your seals from them?

Yes, they can get them, but the price is about the same as Argo, so I didn't bother to mention it.
I should check to see if they can get the seals with the "helper" spring. I would like to try those

RD