Hustler Chain Alignment

[Sandcassle]

I don't know what to do....

I've been working on my chain alignment. Notice in the photo the misalignment of the chain between transmission and the drive sprocket (left side). I've loosened all of the bearings on the left side and lined everything up, but when I torque the center axle bearings, it gets out of alignment.

Any suggestions?

[mudbug3]

post deleted

[Sandcassle]

Correctly Assembled?

I've tried everything mentioned and a few other things. It's bad out of alignment, possibly up to a 1/2", about the thickness of that axle lockcollar.

Maybe I reassembled the axles incorrectly. Here's how I've reassembled the axles:
Axle slides through the outer bearing housing, through rubber gasket, through the plastic body, through the bearing, through the inner bearing housing, through the axle lockcollar, through the sprocket assembly, through the inner axle bearing at the center of the frame.

You know, if that axle lockcollar wasn't there I believe it would line up.

[Mike]

Can you take a closer picture showing the collars and bearings a little better?

[micmac]

Did you possibly mix up the left and right center sprockets? I would think the other side would be out of elignment too but thought I'd throw it out there.

[Sandcassle]

More Photos

Micmac,

I looked at maybe I had the left and right sprockets swapped. But after looking at it, it's pretty much fool proof. They would would look very obviously incorrect if this was the case. But hey, thanks anyway! You're thinking

[brushcutter]

Hey Sandcassle Mudbug just phoned and asked me to try and help.Let's see if I can Following is the order in which I recently assembled my axles:stand the axle on the floor,wheel studs down.Then slide the outer bearing flange on with the grease fitting toward the wheel(I'm sure you know this) , then the lock collar , then the bearing : lock side to lock collar , then inner flange , then the rubber gasket , then slide the axle through the tub and frame , then sprocket sleeve then inner bearing.After you do all this bolt the axle flange up but don't lock the axle down.Now the easiest way that I found to position the axles/ sprockets is to start at the center with the trans chain on,the sprocket sleeve positioned so you can watch the hole for alignment and no pin in the axle slowly turn the center axle and watch the hole to see if the holes line up. If they don't then slide the axle in the direction that it needs to go to get it aligned then pin it, spin it and watch the chain/sprocket to se if the teeth are engaging the chain without snagging the sides of the chain links they should ride pretty much in the center of the chain.Be aware that you may not get them all perfectly centered but what you are trying for is a position where you don't get that annoying popping noise which is usually caused by mis-aligned sprockets.Hope this all helps. Brushcutter out

[mudbug3]

brushcutter ,

Thanks for the help.

[brushcutter]

Well, now that I took the time to actually look at your pics I can see that you definitely have the bearings on backwards try removing them and reassembling in the order I gave in my previous post and you will be all set.I forgot to tell you that you will need to repeat the alignment procedure with the rest of your axles.Good luck.Brushcutter out.

[Mike]

Yep, the locking collar should be on the outside of the tub. If you look at the axle you can see where the paint is missing, that's where the collar should be.

[Sandcassle]

Hmmmmmmm
If the locking collar is on the outside, what keeps the axle from floating in and out, causing chains to throw?

So I can see how the locking collar prevents the axle from floating inward. But, what locks the axle to prevent it from floating outward? I know eventually the sprocket would come into contact, but that's still with about an inch of outward floating.

[Mike]

The collar locks the axle to the bearing. It shouldn't move in and out at all.

[Sandcassle]

Problem Solved

First, I would like to thank everyone who has tried to help me solve this problem.

Second, I would like to apologize for my display of moronic tendencies and I’m currently seeking help for this.

While I did have the bearings and bearing flanges correctly installed, I did not correctly install the locking collars. I just tightened the set screw and called it good. But noooooo…..You’ve got to lock the locking collar to the inner race of the bearing.
Here’s a link to where I figured this out: Route6x6.com

I also learned it doesn’t really matter if the locking collar is installed on the inside or outside of the machine, but Hustler’s usually installed them on the outside. They’ll need to be installed on the outside of my machine to allow me to get proper chain alignment.

Thanks again everyone and now it’s time to get busy. I have 6 axles to pull…..

Roy

[Mike]

Glad that you got it figured out. We have a section here on the site showing you how to install axles and bearings as well. Perhaps a little more comprehensive: http://www.6x6world.com/forums/gener...placement.html

[brushcutter]

Hey; Sandcassle are you having any trouble? I hope everything is going your way now.Let me know if I can be of any more help.