Gurus HELP! trading for a Hustler - need help!

[evil8x8]

Now you have me worried! what if an axle is bent, that sounds expensive to fix. =(

If it is not bent too bad, you don't have to replace it right away. You could wait until you are more familiar with the machine to replace it. When I got my Argo the LF axle was slightly bent, but I didn't replace it for 2 years until it bent more.

[Praetorin]

Oil and Chain Lube?

Can anyone alert me to what chain lube I use? What should I oil on this rig and what should i use? Should i use a degreaser first to clean any unwanted gunk off everything?

And is there something to use on the plungers that go into the transmission?

-Justin

[coosaridgerider]

I use a foam type motorcycle chain lube and put bearing grease on my plungers,works great.I pull the plungers out and grease them every few rides,It helps the trans shift better.The foam chain lube i think sticks to the chain better and not sling off.I grease all my bearing with marine grease,Works better in water.

[Praetorin]

So, I assume there are connections for greasing the bearings, and how do i take the plungers out? Is it easy? Is there a DIY on it?

Sorry for all the questions.

-justin

I use a foam type motorcycle chain lube and put bearing grease on my plungers,works great.I pull the plungers out and grease them every few rides,It helps the trans shift better.The foam chain lube i think sticks to the chain better and not sling off.I grease all my bearing with marine grease,Works better in water.

[brushcutter]

When you say plungers are you talking about the band plungers at the front of the tranny, or the shift diamonds at the top on each side near the sprockets?

[Praetorin]

plungers

Band plungers in front of tranny.

When you say plungers are you talking about the band plungers at the front of the tranny, or the shift diamonds at the top on each side near the sprockets?

[brushcutter]

I'm thinking that you probably don't want to pull those out. My understanding (which could be wrong) is that the o-ring(s) can be damaged by pushing them in to far, and if you can pull them all the way out then it is most likely time to replace the bands. If you feel that the plunger holes/o-rings need cleaning/lubing then GENTLY push them in no more than 1/2", and using a soft brush such as an old toothbrush, clean the exposed area and blow it out with LOW pressure air. Then you could coat the area with grease. Do not use WD-40 to rinse out the area around the plungers unless you are sure that your o-rings are compatible with it. I work in the engine department of a military contractor and we found that for some reason WD will harden certain o-rings and soften others We never figured out why this is, and rather than get into a detailed investigation as to the cause of this, we just stopped using it to prelube our o-rings before installation and went to an assembly lube that we use on bearings and such.

[Praetorin]

mess with

I'm just going to leave them alone, the transmission and engine both look pretty new so I'll just leave them be. LOL

And I'm 98% sure that the axle's are fine, I think i just have a slight bend in the front right rim, so that's an easy fix.

Over all from everything I looked at so far this thing seems in great condition. The engine sounds great and seems to be really strong.
I will take some pictures of the chains and gear teeth, to show.

-Justin

I'm thinking that you probably don't want to pull those out. My understanding (which could be wrong) is that the o-ring(s) can be damaged by pushing them in to far, and if you can pull them all the way out then it is most likely time to replace the bands. If you feel that the plunger holes/o-rings need cleaning/lubing then GENTLY push them in no more than 1/2", and using a soft brush such as an old toothbrush, clean the exposed area and blow it out with LOW pressure air. Then you could coat the area with grease. Do not use WD-40 to rinse out the area around the plungers unless you are sure that your o-rings are compatible with it. I work in the engine department of a military contractor and we found that for some reason WD will harden certain o-rings and soften others We never figured out why this is, and rather than get into a detailed investigation as to the cause of this, we just stopped using it to prelube our o-rings before installation and went to an assembly lube that we use on bearings and such.

[brushcutter]

Hey, I'm a rock solid believer that if it ain't broke don't fix it!

[Praetorin]

Sell it

I've decided that I'm not ready for a 6x6 yet, this thing is a bit intimidating to me, i don't know anything about it! I have thoroughly looked it over and so far the only 2 things that look like they need fixing is the throttle handle. And possibly front right rim or axle, which i priced at like 90 bucks or so with richard.

So I have it up for sale in the AATV for Sale area. For $1900. I put up some spiffy new pictures too. I'm sure it will make someone a good rig, i just don't have a trailer big enough for it and would rather have a four wheeler since I've always ridden those.

So go check out the gallery over there if you guys would like and THANKYOU for you help, you've all been great.

-justin

[jpswift1]

I've decided that I'm not ready for a 6x6 yet, this thing is a bit intimidating to me, i don't know anything about it! I have thoroughly looked it over and so far the only 2 things that look like they need fixing is the throttle handle. And possibly front right rim or axle, which i priced at like 90 bucks or so with richard.

So I have it up for sale in the AATV for Sale area. For $1900. I put up some spiffy new pictures too. I'm sure it will make someone a good rig, i just don't have a trailer big enough for it and would rather have a four wheeler since I've always ridden those.

So go check out the gallery over there if you guys would like and THANKYOU for you help, you've all been great.

-justin

Before you give up on it, let me offer you a pointer. Avoid Route6x6 since the prices are unreasonably high and many of the parts are not very good quality. Try posting up an ad in the wanted section here and you'd be surprised at the responses that you'll get. You can get a throttle cable and handle from Recreatives for less than Route6x6 sells them. Amphibious Six-Wheel Drive All-Terrain Vehicles: MaxATVs - Call 1-800-255-2511 Give it a try.

[evil8x8]

Yeah, don't give up yet. If you can't figure something out just post a question and everyone will help you. Have you had your machine muddin' or swimming yet? Once you do, I don't think you will ever want to get rid of it.

[brushcutter]

I am not gonna try to talk you into keeping a machine that you are not comfortable with owning but I would hate to see you unhappily sell your machine, as much as I would hate to see you keep a machine that you don't like. Here are a couple of questions that may help you decide for sure about what to do, although it sounds as though you are to that point already.

The biggest thing you need to decide is :what kind of terrain do I intend or have access to ride in? These things are amphibious - made for the muck and snow - although some folks do ride them in rocky country.

How much maintenance do you want to do? These things are not a crank and ride Quad, they require some degree of care after EVERY ride. If you are not willing to REGULARLY maintain your machine (lube, check chains, hunt down "new"noises...)then you can expect to break down. These things will take you to places where no quad can get to you to help. and the surest way to make that happen is to go out in a machine that has been neglected.

How much adventure can you stand? Cause there ain't no quad experience like the amphib thing. I have a Honda Rancher 4x4 that rarely gets ridden since the 950 rolled out the door of the shop. But Hey this stuff ain't for everybody so the choice is yours to make. Good Luck with whatever you decide!

[Praetorin]

Wise words

These are wise words Brushcutter,

I have thought about it, I'm just used to owning and running things that i know very well. And this thing seems so alien to me, I'm scared as a cat when i drive it that I will do something wrong, it's such a different driving style, and all those chains and stuff make me nervous. What I think I'll do, is after a week or 2 if it hasn't sold, I'll consider that a sign that I should keep it. It's kind of one of those "if it's meant to be" kind of things. LOL

It looks super sweet in my garage and everyone that's seen it has really been intrigued but i don't know. we'll see what happens.

Thankyou for your wisdom. =)

-Justin

I am not gonna try to talk you into keeping a machine that you are not comfortable with owning but I would hate to see you unhappily sell your machine, as much as I would hate to see you keep a machine that you don't like. Here are a couple of questions that may help you decide for sure about what to do, although it sounds as though you are to that point already.

The biggest thing you need to decide is :what kind of terrain do I intend or have access to ride in? These things are amphibious - made for the muck and snow - although some folks do ride them in rocky country.

How much maintenance do you want to do? These things are not a crank and ride Quad, they require some degree of care after EVERY ride. If you are not willing to REGULARLY maintain your machine (lube, check chains, hunt down "new"noises...)then you can expect to break down. These things will take you to places where no quad can get to you to help. and the surest way to make that happen is to go out in a machine that has been neglected.

How much adventure can you stand? Cause there ain't no quad experience like the amphib thing. I have a Honda Rancher 4x4 that rarely gets ridden since the 950 rolled out the door of the shop. But Hey this stuff ain't for everybody so the choice is yours to make. Good Luck with whatever you decide!

[rdr]

hi justin . the best thing you can do BEFOR you sale it is go on a group ride . i think you will find they are fun to drive and the people at the rides are wounderful robbie