Argo Axle Repair

[Castro]

I work for Timken. At a precision bearing manufacturing facility and I would like to make a few comments. For one we are using CHEAP chinese made bearings, there are other options. NFK makes some i believe and i am trying to source a timken roller bearing that i could use in replacement. I have several bearing catalogs and when i have a moment i should be able to one up with a couple options- and better quality cost more $$$ that much i can promise. I also have a comment about the axles- I think the JB weld is a great option, I was thinking about bronze coating, but jb weld is the same idea. This spot is always going to wear- if you harden the steel then you will break axles. You might be suprised how much flex mild steel will give. I spoke with a heat treat specialist the other day about what benifit I would get and he agreed that the loss out weighted the benifits (higher cost to manufcture, stiffer ride, greater chance of breaking axles...ect).

[beuneek]

McMaster Carr has stainless spring reinforced double seals, I used them on my rebuild.
I'll try to find the part number

[plott hound]

why not lay a bead of weld on the worn area of axle,then turn it on a lathe?

[lewis]

Just a little input to this, if you have a argo and bearing extensions you can move the axles from the middle to the front and front to middle...8 wheeler. This will move the wear point to a new location and is work intensive but will save you a couple hundred dollars and double the usage of the axles. If you have your own powder coat machine this will also work but only for a short time. At 50+ dollars that is not a bad price for a axle. Axles last according to the environment they are used in. All the mud and grit act as a very fine grinder working on the surface of the metal.

Plott. that will work also but at the price of having this done will probably match and exceed the cost of a new axle. We do bearing journals like this but is more than 50+ dollars around here. Just my 2 cents.

Lewis

[plott hound]

"Plott. that will work also but at the price of having this done will probably match and exceed the cost of a new axle. We do bearing journals like this but is more than 50+ dollars around here. Just my 2 cents."

if it costs 50 bux there it would be 100 bux here.thats it,im buying a lathe.

[Planter Bob]

Getting back to the original question...how to repair a groove worn in an axle. This repair is dirt simple, dirt cheap and WORKS...just use J-B Weld!

Here's the simple procedure:

1. Remove the axle.
2. Clamp it firmly in a smooth-jawed vice, with the groove about 6" from the jaws of the vice.
3. Using a wire brush in a 4" grinder, clean all the area in and around the groove, making it free of rust and gunk. Use a flat file gently on any high spots.
4. Use paper towels and wipe down the axle with solvent (I like Toluene), changing towels as they become dirty. Repeat until you have a 100% clean towel.
5. Mix up the normal 50/50 batch of J-B Weld
6. Using a 4" squeegee, fill the grooved area with J-B weld, making sure to keep the squeegee parallel to the axle. Use a light pressure. Don't use anything but a rubber squeegee. You'll be tempted, but DON'T use anything else! Been there...done that.
7. Wait 24 hours.
8. Go over the repaired area with 180 grit emery cloth at least 4" wide, wrapping it around the axle and pulling the ends gently. Stop precisely when the repair is flush with the axle.
9. Install the axle with a new seal.
10. Go fill up your tank and take a long ride with the money you saved.