Used Argo Q's

[Buddee]

I'm new to the board so go easy on me

I'm planning on buying a 6x6 (480 or 580) and toying with a used one that requires a bit of work or possibly a new one if all else fails. I have been looking at few used. Last one was a 1994 Vanguard. New brakes, belt and battery recent. There is no hour meter but the engine sounds nice and smooth. He is orginal owner - used it for hunting primarily. The body is in overall good shape... no cracks or holes. The front axle is bent on the pass (left side)... the guys said his kid hit a rock when they were out last week. I can't really see where it is bent but the tire/rim is pushed back about 1.5"'s and slightly tilted inward. I'm fairly mechanicaly inclined but am wondering if this is something I can fix with just replacing the shaft or is there more internal damage around the trans. Anyhow the guy wants $2400.00 for it.

Any thoughts..comments?

Thanks!

[Rock Doctor]

I think I've bent my "fair share" of axles. More than likely you could just pull that axle and straighten it with a press. Personally I would put a new one in though (Once it's bent, it will bend again with less force), Might want to replace the outer bearing and seals while you are in there though.

Oh ya, Welcome to the site

Quite a bit of info on replacing axles and/or bearings on this site for you to look at, here's one to get you started:

http://www.6x6world.com/forums/argo-atvs/7181-argo-bearing-seal-replacement-video.html

RD

[AlaskaGrizzly]

Sounds like you already know the answer but if you put the machine on blocks you'd be able to spin the tires by hand and verify if it is just a bent axle. This is also a good way of getting a feel for all the axle bearings. Swapping out axles & bearings isn't a major undertaking, unfortunelty the front one is the hardest to access. I second the comment about buying a new axle and considering new bearings. New axles don't cost that much in comparison to bending an already weakend axle.

I'd say that the machine your are looking at is of the vintage that it should have splined axles and not the roll pin axles. Do you know which this machine has? Most people prefer the splined axle machines.