1985 8x8 hard to steer?

[standclear]

Hi everyone, a couple of weeks ago i picked up two 1985 argo 8x8 with 16hp tecs for just over $1000. The good argo has a bad engine and the parts argo has a good engine, so i swapped the enigne and got it run but its really hard to steer it. At slow speeds i cant steer with it, it will only turn alittle at high speeds. But if i pull back both handles is stops fine, just wont steer. Would it be my transmission, or is the enigne just not enought power?

[coosaridgerider]

I would check the trans brakes,disc,calipers.

[LarryW]

Just curious, what tires are you running? Real aggressive tires or knobbies will make it hard to skid steer, especially when going slow. From what I understand the 8x8 are even harder. I personally never drove one.

[AlaskaGrizzly]

Steering Question

One way to do a check out your rig would be to put the entire machine up on blocks. Put enough timbers one each corner to get all 8 tires in the air and then you can roll the wheels by hand & also run them with the engine. If you can roll each side of wheels independent of the other side then its not your transmission but probably a brake problem. If you can't roll them independently it might be the differential in the bottom of the tranny.

This is also a convenient time to check all your wheel bearings, grease everything and lube the chains.

[evil8x8]

What kind of surface are you driving on? Try turning in the mud or in wet grass. Skid steers are hard to turn on pavement especially 8 wheelers.

[Duke]

What kind of surface are you driving on? Try turning in the mud or in wet grass. Skid steers are hard to turn on pavement especially 8 wheelers.

i was worried when i got mine all together because it wouldnt turn very well either but if you get it in mud or grass it doesnt seem to phase it i had mine out for the first time last weekend on some trails i ride my four wheeler on and i was nervous because when i had it at home steering it was nearly impossible but i was running on cement and my 6x6 is useless on cement but as soon as it was on the trail and in the mud it worked flawlessly. i hope thats whats happening to yours. i also found out if you have to turn on cement i aired up the center tires and that made kind of a pivot point and it works alot better on cement now if its an 8x8 argo and you wanted to try it i would air up the tire closest to the blance point i think because its front engine mounted air up the second tires back from the front i dont know which side is heavier on an argo because i havent worked on any also i dont know if it would cause any undue wear in the bearings hope this helps i know it helped me good luck

[evil8x8]

When I move my machines around my driveway, i hose it down to help with wear and tear on tires and drivetrain.

[Duke]

ya that would work too

[standclear]

so this morning i pulled apart the brakes and cleaned and adjusted them and it works alittle bit better now. im driving it on gravel road and grass. i have worn-out runamuk on it.

[Duke]

does the engine bog down or feel like its working way too hard on turns? you may have to clean out the carb and see if the air cleaner is plugged that will give you less power and you need all you can get to turn