Argo questions???

[koontsy929]

I am extremely new to having an Argo (I have a 2000 8 wheel Conquest) A couple of rookie questions.
1. When turning at times, I get a hard knock in the front and seems like the engine block is going to come off the mounts. Is that normal?
2. The steering arms have come loose to the point of backing out the screws that hold them attached to the column. Is it normal to have to tighten them?
3. How often do you need to grease the wheel axles/bearings/sprockets?
4. I thought I read something about the chain tensioners. Am I supposed to tighten them after a certain time? Seems like when I get in a tight spot, I hear the chain slipping.
5. At the moment, my machine does not have an alternantor on it, I do have one however. I have heard that iut is a bit of a pain to install. Is that true? Right now, I just have an extra battery and jumpers to help when the battery gets low.

I should mention that I use my machine in 80 acres of cedar swamp. So far I love the machine and can't believe I tried to get through witha quad before this. I know these a rookie questions with relatively easy answer for the expert panel I see on here. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Koontsy

[rentalrider]

I would check the idler chain tension on both sides of the transmission. They run vertically just outside the brake discs. Under high stress (ie tight turns, etc) if they're too loose they can jump a sprocket causing a sound like what you're hearing. Adjustment is easy enough, though. I'm sure someone wil chime in with a link to the adjustment. Chain tensioner on that is probably the simple spring style, not the ratcheting? If so you just need to make sure you can't squeeze the chain together in middle area to touch the steel that they run around if that makes sense. I'll be finishing the fresh chain install on mine today, not all that big a deal. Personally I lube my chains twice a year or every 30hrs or so unless I'm in extra tough conditions. Be sure not to pump too much into the cork gasket, you can rupture it and cause leaking. The alternator I don't know but if it wasn't equipped with one it should still have a charging system, just not nearly the amps of the alternator. Hope this helps some and good luck.

[Dan67]

I am extremely new to having an Argo (I have a 2000 8 wheel Conquest) A couple of rookie questions.
1. When turning at times, I get a hard knock in the front and seems like the engine block is going to come off the mounts. Is that normal?
2. The steering arms have come loose to the point of backing out the screws that hold them attached to the column. Is it normal to have to tighten them?
3. How often do you need to grease the wheel axles/bearings/sprockets?
4. I thought I read something about the chain tensioners. Am I supposed to tighten them after a certain time? Seems like when I get in a tight spot, I hear the chain slipping.
5. At the moment, my machine does not have an alternantor on it, I do have one however. I have heard that iut is a bit of a pain to install. Is that true? Right now, I just have an extra battery and jumpers to help when the battery gets low.

I should mention that I use my machine in 80 acres of cedar swamp. So far I love the machine and can't believe I tried to get through witha quad before this. I know these a rookie questions with relatively easy answer for the expert panel I see on here. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Koontsy

I have a 2000 Conquest and its been a learning experience, so I'll share what I learned.

1) For the hard knock you need to check chain tension, idler chain is adjusted by raising the tranny up to increase tension, those should be at a 1/8" deflection. Long bolt on the bottom loosen it and the other like it closer to the engine. Under the first bolt are 2 bolts coming out of the frame cross member, turn them with a 9/16" wrench so that you lift the tranny to pull the idler chain tighter. Then lock the big long bolts back in place.

2) Get some locktight on the bolts to glue them in.

3) I grease the fittings before and after each ride as part of a general maintenance program. I use a good marine grade lithium grease. Motorcycle chain lube in a spray can for the chains. After every ride as part of the cleaning and maintenance cycle. Same for the outer flanges, 1 zerg is for the grease seals to keep water out and the other closer to the body is for the bearing. If you can grab a tire and pull up on it and detect any movement in the outer bearing, first grease it good, and if you can still move it. Replace the bearing.

4) You should have the auto adjusting chain tensioners, when they get very filthy, they wont auto adjust. I just cleaned and reinstalled mine, makes a ton of difference. Your chain might also be stretched.. ie. worn out and in need of replacement.

5) Your FD620 engine should have the built in charge circuit like mine does, it only produces 20A at 3600rpm. Or are you referring to the 40A addon alternator? Might want to get the charging system looked at to see that it is indeed working. I don't know much about engines.. but I'm sure others here can direct you.

The biggest thing you can do is to keep the conquest on a preventive maintenance schedule of pre-ride checks, listen for strange noises, and after use cleaning and greasing, lubing.

[Rock Doctor]

I was going to write a big reply to this post, but after reading Dan's reply, I won't bother, I think he covered it. Maybe I can add a few tidbits:

1) NO that's not normal. Might also check Idler Bearings and front axle drive chains.
2)
3) I run in a lot of water, so I try to grease after each trip (Keep in mind that a trip can take me as much as 4-6 weeks sometimes, lol)
4) I think you have the spring tensioners, so if your chains are jumping the sprockets, you need to find out why. They will destroy your sprockets if you keep doing that. Make sure the springs are all installed properly, and that they have not jumped right off the tensioners. Replace chains if they are stretched too much. (DO NOT remove a link and call it good)
5) I am in the same boat. Motor has to come out to install the alt kit. I'm just waiting for a reason to pull the motor on mine. The stock charging circut is JUST ENOUGH to keep you running. if you winch a lot, or run with headlights on, you will kill your battery.

Hope that helps

RD

[koontsy929]

Guys, Thanks so much for the replies. It has been a tremendous amount of help and as soon as I get to look at my machine, I will let you know what I found. Thanks again