Argo Avenger sprocket frozen on axle

[SEAL-Tours]

Hello.
I have a big problem. One of the outer bearings on my 07 Avenger is gone.
I have loosen the swrew inside the axle, all locking screws on the sprockets and the bearings and the outside flange, but I cannot pull the axle out. The first sprocket broke loose but is VERY hard to move and absolutely impossible to slide and now hits the other sprocket, so I cannot pull the axle any further.
I use excessive force with a big slidding puller but now both sprockets are stuck.
Any ideas? I live in Germany and have to fix the machine until Monday!

[dgh110]

try using some nutcracker or wd40, and try to clean the axle up as much as possible. if you are still having issues, make sure that all set screws are out of the sprockets. you can try heating the sprockets with a torch(just be careful not to melt or burn anything else.) if you have access to air tools, i would try using an air hammer to move the sprockets.

this is what i would try
Darin

[SEAL-Tours]

Hey Darin,

all set screws are taken out, I used a lot WD-40, the outer sprocket broke loose and now hits the inner one, that is still stuck-So-double resistance!

Is there a trick or something!?!?

[Rock Doctor]

There is no trick, those sprockets should slide right off. What yr is it? What condition are the axles in? Have the sprockets been off before?

You might have to resort to heat, but as mentioned be carefull.

First off, MAKE SURE ALL SETSCREWS ARE, IN FACT, OUT.

Before you heat the sprockets, try cleaning the axle on the hub side of the stuck sprockets with wd40 and emery cloth. Remove all rust/crud.
Try to pry the sprockets apart with a couple pry bars (outer sprocket should move). If you get them apart, clean the axle between them. Then try to drive the axle in. If the axle will drive in through the stuck sprocket, once again clean the axle, where the sprocket was stuck and all the way to the end. Don't forget to clean inside the splines. You should be able to get them off.

I have seen some really stuck sprockets and bearings, usually becouse they were installed dry, with no lube. As a last resort, a couple times I have had to remove the opposite side axle, and drive a steel rod through, and hammer the stuck axle out. Not recomended, but if you do, remember to put a bolt into the end of the stuck axle to drive against so you dont flare the end of the axle, or ruin the threads in the end of the axle.

Hope this helps

RD

[SEAL-Tours]

Its a Oct 2006 model, only 70 hours, I see no bad rust or something else, dont konow why it dont works

[mike bar]

Is the end of the axle flared? You may have to file it if it is swollen.

[JKL05ultra]

I had the same problem on my Conquest. I discussed the problem with a very helpful dealer in Mississippi. He advised it would save a lot of time if I used a sawzall to cut the axle in half. He said I would possibly spend hours trying to get the axle out and chances were good that I would need to replace the axle anyway.

I took his advice and just finished the project about two hours ago. After cutting the axle the outer piece came out easily. I was then able to drive the remaining piece of axle out of the inner bearing (which was where mine was actually stuck). If the sprockets are still frozen to the axle shaft after you get it out you can use a small press to break them loose.

Mine was the 2nd from front and I didn't want to take any chances heating it up with the fuel tank so close.

By the way, the dealer was right about needing to replace the axle...there was quite a groove in the axle where the grease seal had trapped abrasive sand and grit. Axle was $58 plus shipping.

Hope this helps....

Keith

[JKL05ultra]

I forgot to mention that the set screws on the inner bearing were what caused my axle removal problem. They do not have a recess on the shaft for these screws so they bore into the soft metal of the axle causing it to swell/distort. This prevents the shaft from coming back thru the inner surface of the bearing.

That could also be what is causing your removal problem.