ARGO Conquest to HDI Bearing Conversion (Vids)

[Rock Doctor]

Well, I finally got this little project started. I think everything is going to work out good, but there is still some testing to do. I ran into a couple little issues, but nothing that can't be dealt with.

Sorry about the length of the vids, it was hard to keep the time down on a project like this. I have only uploaded the first part so far, but PT-2 will be edited into this post tomorrow if possible.

I have to say here that I'm NOT SURE if this will work with ALL Conquests. I have noted that some older Conquests have different Bearing Extensions. Mine has the ones that require both the inner and outer bearing retainer when mounting Bearings in the bearing extensions. Some Conquests bearing extensions have the inner bearing retainer built into the bearing extensions. It may work, it may not. To find out what you have, look at your machines front/rear bearing extension assemblies. If you only see one gasket behind your outer bearing retainers, you have built in INNER bearing retainers. If you see 2 gaskets with a plate between, you have the same assemblies as mine.

PART-1 (Front/Rear Axle Conversion)

PART-2 (Mid Axle Conversion)

RD

[Mike]

Thank you for taking the time to document this for everyone. I will copy this to the how-to section when you get part two up.

[Rock Doctor]

Thank you for taking the time to document this for everyone. I will copy this to the how-to section when you get part two up.

Ummm Where exactly is the "How To Section" ??. I know I've been there before, but can't seem to find it now. Is there a link to it in the Forum?

[Mike]

You can get to it at the very bottom of every page or on the home page on the left hand side. All of the how-to's, literature, brochures, etc. got moved to the front page of the site after the upgrade. Thanks again for posting these.

[martwell]

Hdi conversion bearing

Hello RD, really great video's Thanks for taking the time to show us how it's done, seem to be very easy to do when we watch you.

Martwell

[Pophamrt1]

Nice work, excellent video. A couple of questions. On the standard Hdi installs at dealers, etc., do they use any silicone or other sealant around the bearing? And, if you were to fabricate an aluminum shim/adapter for the front/rear instead of stacking the cork, what thickness would you make it? 3/8"? Or 1/4" plus a gasket to allow compression, or some other combination. If I end up making some I'll send a set your way.

[Rock Doctor]

Hello RD, really great video's Thanks for taking the time to show us how it's done, seem to be very easy to do when we watch you.

Martwell

Tks Martwell

Nice work, excellent video. A couple of questions. On the standard Hdi installs at dealers, etc., do they use any silicone or other sealant around the bearing? And, if you were to fabricate an aluminum shim/adapter for the front/rear instead of stacking the cork, what thickness would you make it? 3/8"? Or 1/4" plus a gasket to allow compression, or some other combination. If I end up making some I'll send a set your way.

No silicone or sealant of any kind that I know of, but I've never taken one apart yet. One of the HDI's at my buddies worksite has over 500hrs on it already and it hasn't had a bearing changed yet, on the flipside though it's sitting with a piled transmition right now.
For the gasket, I would preferr to see a one piece gasket, or a similar setup to the old style (1/8" plate between 2 gaskets, could be easilly made out of old "Inner Cariers" from the old style assemblies). Any type of shim/adapter would need a gasket on either side, I think.


RD

[martwell]

No silicone or sealant of any kind that I know of, but I've never taken one apart yet. One of the HDI's at my buddies worksite has over 500hrs on it already and it hasn't had a bearing changed yet, on the flipside though it's sitting with a piled transmition right now.
RD

Hello RD, did you know what appened to the New Admiral transmission.... It's the first time I heard one that failed... Here my buddy with a HDi is still fairely new, under 100hrs so everything is still gooing well....

Martwell

[Rock Doctor]

No silicone or sealant of any kind that I know of, but I've never taken one apart yet. One of the HDI's at my buddies worksite has over 500hrs on it already and it hasn't had a bearing changed yet, on the flipside though it's sitting with a piled transmition right now.
RD

Hello RD, did you know what appened to the New Admiral transmission.... It's the first time I heard one that failed... Here my buddy with a HDi is still fairely new, under 100hrs so everything is still gooing well....

Martwell

I made a call, and was told that it was the Splines in one of the outputs of the Trans that failed. I have not looked close enough to one of the new Admirals to describe it better than that at this point. If I understand correctly, the Outputs on the new Admiral are "Female Splines" and the output shaft slides into the splined output at one end and is held with a bearing on the other end?? I was told that the female splines failed.......................Now, I don't know how accurate that is. I would have thought that with a design like that they would have made the female splines harder than the male, so that if SOMETHING had to fail it would be the easily replaced output shaft.
If I hear anything else I will let you know.

[JohnF]

Ok, haven't been around for awhile. Saw this thread, watched the vids (cool as usual - one of my favorite directors. )

What I couldn't find is the reason for the conversion - sort of a dump of the thought process. So, RD, what were your goals?

These bearings are definately larger. I am guessing from a comment above that longer bearing life is expected.

How did your water intrusion tests go? I am guessing that if this is the way Argo does the new machines then it probably went fine.

[Rock Doctor]

Ok, haven't been around for awhile. Saw this thread, watched the vids (cool as usual - one of my favorite directors. )

What I couldn't find is the reason for the conversion - sort of a dump of the thought process. So, RD, what were your goals?

These bearings are definately larger. I am guessing from a comment above that longer bearing life is expected.

How did your water intrusion tests go? I am guessing that if this is the way Argo does the new machines then it probably went fine.

Hi John,
My goal was simple........LONGER LIFE. Some friends of mine are now running the HDI's at work, and they WORK their machines almost as hard as I do mine. The new HDI's are having issues in some areas, but "Outer Axle Bearing Life" has been exellent so far. Two of their machines have over 500hrs already, and no bearings have had to be replaced. I don't think I have EVER manage to get 500hrs on any of my Conquest Outer Bearings

At the end of the day, if this works as I hope, $100 per axle is a cheap fix. It doesn't take me long to eat up $100 worth of brngs, seals, axles, and housings.

Water Intrusion Tests have gone well so far

[JohnF]

Hi John,
My goal was simple........LONGER LIFE.

That's what I thought.

I think this is an awesome upgrade. I think I'll do mine piecemeal as the bearings need it. It seems an especially good thing for the front - imagine never doing those bearings ever again.

[JohnF]

I have noted that some older Conquests have different Bearing Extensions. ... Some Conquests bearing extensions have the inner bearing retainer built into the bearing extensions. ...
RD

Was looking through the parts manuals. It looks like machines before 6/02 have the integrated inner retainers.

I plan on getting an inner retainer from the HD and checking to see if there is a way to make this work - someday. If anyone gets a chance and find the answer here it would be awesome hear about it here.

(oh yeah, mine's a '98)

[Pophamrt1]

Can the HDI bearing be tracked back to a standard SKF, Timken, etc., part number? (e.g., HC206-20). The last two Vampire ASXs were mounted on the Avenger last week and I'm feeling some play in the outer bearings. It would be nice to source the bearings from a supplier if possible. Thanks.

[DerekF]

Just bumping this topic to the top again. I have a couple of bearing with a little play and am going to upgrade. Hows the conversion working for you RD? By the way, thanks again for the vid.

Pophamrt1, I also have vampires on my avenger. I live them for situations between reg tires and where I would use tracks. How do you like yours?