Gloves are hard on bearing!!

[Maniac]

I bought a 6x6 argo a few weeks back of course I had some trouble getting it to start. Carb was set way rich. But after a day or two of tinkering around I got it to run. As I was test driving it a glove fell into the drive chain and wrapped around a sprocket. I guess the extra tension pulled a couple of bearings apart. So now I have a outer axle bearing and outer bearing on the jack shaft to fix. I was checking the back 2 axle bearings and I can move the wheel up and down a bit. I think when I have thing apart I will go the rest of the way and put all new bearings in. The machine already has double sprockets and chain. The chains I have removed seem tight. This repair is going to take a few days as the forcast is COLD and I don't have a heated shop. I hope there is still snow left when I get it going. Although if the snow is gone there will be MUD!

[Rock Doctor]

Hi Maniac,

LOL, live and learn, eh.

I learned the same lesson when a ratchet strap hook dropped into my chains. I was 2.5 hrs out in the bush when it happened. I'm suprised a glove could do so much damage.
You should have no problem working out the problems, but it sucks to do it in the cold. Is there no way of heating up your shop temporarily? Electric heaters or something? Another option is a Herman Nelson Heater and a parachute over the Argo (works VERY well).

I find that inner axle brngs rarely fail, so if you want to save a little money, you can probably just change outer brngs. Check them first though.

Good luck with the repaires

RD

[Maniac]

Question for you.

How do you get at the nuts on the inner bearing flange on the front axle and the jack shaft on a mid 80s 6x6 argo? The nuts are under the motor and Transmission. Do you have to pull or lift the motor and Transmission to get at them? I am hoping the axle comes out without to much trouble as I think it was apart in the last couple of years when the previous owner put double sprockets on. If that inner bearing race happens to be seized on it may need to come apart.

Thanks
Maniac

[Rock Doctor]

Well, you have to be about 3 parts contortionist and 1 part crazy to be an Argo Mechanic.

To get at your Idler Shaft inner brng nuts, just take off the brake rotor on that side. To get at the front axle nuts, take out the battery and stretch (or if it's the other side, pulling the clutches helps)

Remember to put a good Anti-Seize paste on the shaft for re-assembly. I use either Nickeleeze, or Masters Metallic.

[Maniac]

contortionist eh. I think a few to many decades and beer have passed for me to fit that definition. Crazy, I can live with. Well when it warms up a bit if you hear on the news of some fat bald guy getting stuck head first in his agro think of me.

[Maniac]

Axle shaft nuts

I discovered why its so hard for me to get at the front axle and jack shaft inner bearing nuts. The bolts are installed from the outside in. All I can see is the carriage head. The nuts are under the engine and transmission plate. I have to lift the engine enough and block so I can get my hand and a wrench in there. I have it figured now and its almost apart. If everything goes smooth I should have it back together Sunday. Thanks for the pointers on changing the bearings.