Bearing extension question?

[Moosetalker]

Hey All.

Got a question about installing rear Bearing carrier extension's on a 1997 Response 8x8.

Has anyone done this or heard about it being done? Id like to know what to expect.

I have a feeling locating it to the rear frame tube through the plasic is going to be a pain in the a$$. And that its going to require tapping allso

[Obsessed]

its not too big of a deal...the machine and frame are already set up for it...it is pretty much the same thing as the 8x8 conquest which came with them standard...if you have an optional skid plate, you might have to trim it so that it fits around the axle bearing extention, if you have one just look as it may already be trimmed for it...the frame should have nuts already installed in it

to locate the new housing, just remove the rear chains, axles and sprockets and outer bearing flanges (dont have to remove the inner one, just the end bolt that hold the axle in and the two set screws on the inner bearing), then locate the front mounting bolts in the frame rail, run a small drill bit through them and drill a small hole from the inside out without damaging the threads on those nuts (need a right angle drill), then from the outside open the hole up in the plastic with a bigger bit and be careful not to go in to far and damage the metal nuts behind it...then test assemble the housing and use it to locate the other bolt holes on the housing itself...mark them with a small bit...remove the housing, open up those new holes...assemble everything with gaskets (you will probably have to remove a few inches of paint from your axles as now the outer bearing will have to slide farther out on the old axle...if you got new axles, hopefully the gave you the correct ones that are painted for that position and you can keep the others for spares) test fit, mark, and lock the outer bearing in place prior to final assembly as you will not be able to get to it afterwards...make sure to pay attention what position the sprocket is in on the axle so that the set screw lines back up with the mounting hole that is machined on one of the axle splines...assemble the axle through BOTH bearings prior to evenly tightening the 4 bearing flang bolts on each bearing (inner ones may still be tight if you didnt undoo them) as this will insure that the bearing is clamped in at the correct angle (and there is no bind on it), tighten up the inner 9/16" bolt and washer on the end of the axle which prevent the axle from sliding out, then tighten down the two inner bearing set screws and the one large sprocket set screw...(sliding the sprocket back and fourth will give you the room you need to tighten the bearing flanges)...re-assemble chains and sprockets...lub everything

hope this helps

[vader8x8]

Then install a set of Adair tracks.

[Moosetalker]

Thats the plan Yader8x8 . and thanks for the advise Obsessed

Now if that warm wind keeps up the snowdrift in the corner will melt and sprout a well tarped Argo lol

[juggernaut]

Can these bearing extensions also be adapted to the rear axles of a 1991 Magnum ?

[smog]

While you have the extensions in your hands, I would open them for the bigger, stronger HDI bearings and flanges; in the end it will be a better choice than rebuilding with the smaller bearings.

[Obsessed]

hey juggernaut,

the frame on the older model magnum wasnt set up for the extentions (you can tell by weither or not it has the tube welded into the end of the frame to box it off)...with that said (im starting to sound like my buddy David :-) nothing is impossible, its just not a simple bolt on upgrade...there have even been others (as ive been told) who have adapted them to the middle axles on newer machines...its really just a simple housing that gets bolted to somthing solid and then relocates the outer bearing and flange farther outboard for reduces stress...other manufactures, including muddox and RI actually just leave the outer bearing in place and add a third one (which is probably even better as it take a lot of stress off of the middle one that is working to keep the water out of your boat)...you could probably source one of their mounting brackets and they might be easier to adapt to your older argo, or it may be easier to just spend a little time in the machine shop and see what you can build to do the same...

hope this is helpful :-)

Can these bearing extensions also be adapted to the rear axles of a 1991 Magnum ?

While you have the extensions in your hands, I would open them for the bigger, stronger HDI bearings and flanges; in the end it will be a better choice than rebuilding with the smaller bearings.

thats a good point...

i just looked at the parts and the older extention is addaptable to the new bearing design with no machining...if you use the new bearing flange (both the outside one that you see and also the inside one that you dont see) they will simply set in the cast aluminum housing the same as a newer machine that is retrofited with them...the only thing that will be necessary is about 3-4 cork gaskets (book says 3) and slightly longer bolts...at that point you could also drill out your axles and wheels, then you would be able to grease them through the rim like a newer machine (super nice to not have to remove tracks and tires to do routine maintenance)

super duty argo :-)

[juggernaut]

Thanks Obsessed............will be looking in to it this summer .

[Moosetalker]

Yup got that one all figured out Obsessed. I have watched both of Rockdoctors Videos on the how to a few times. lol