bearings, 93 max

[jpswift1]

The standard 62mm bearing does not hold up to the enviroment that the Max is designed to run in. Sure the bearing will serve you fine if you're just a trail queen, but playing in the mud all day will trash those bearings quick. Then you have water leaking into your vehicle and a bearing failure not far away. On top of that, the light duty flanges that hold those bearings in place will often not be tight enough to force grease into the bearing and will instead just let it come out the side. Here's a quick picture of the Argo HD bearing on a Max IV:

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Trail queen? Playing in the mud will trash the 62mm bearings quick? Hmmm I don't think so, Brandon. You couldn't be more wrong. The Super Swamp Fox and Hustlers, even the 980 BIGFOOT use the same 62mm bearing that the Max II does. All of those machines that I know of certainly aren't "trail queens." If you don't think so, take a look through the gallery and watch some of the videos here on the site and see some of those machines in action. If you want to spend all that money and do all those upgrades, that's fine. I say for those reading this thread that are curious about this, just keep your bearings greased and you'll be in good shape for a while.

[MaxRules]

As soon as I have time to put together the pictures and info, I'll be posting the upgrade we did on an '02 Max IV to the Argo HD bearing. The '97 and newer Max IV's use the 72mm bearing which has a larger bolt pattern than the Argo bearing. I have pictures showing how to fix that. Axle retention as stated by TheBuggyMan is also taken care of in different ways depending on year model. Splined axle vehicles are the easiest since most have the end of the axle cut down with a bolt in the end to hold it in place. I've also upgraded regular round axle Maxs with the two lock collar bearings. Any of them can be done, and it's worth the extra time to modify them and upgrade. Of course you can also use the old Argo bearing with the seal flange, or Adair Argo's sythetic bearing in much the same way.
The standard 62mm bearing does not hold up to the enviroment that the Max is designed to run in. Sure the bearing will serve you fine if you're just a trail queen, but playing in the mud all day will trash those bearings quick. Then you have water leaking into your vehicle and a bearing failure not far away. On top of that, the light duty flanges that hold those bearings in place will often not be tight enough to force grease into the bearing and will instead just let it come out the side. Here's a quick picture of the Argo HD bearing on a Max IV:

NewBearing1.jpg

[tattooman]

At this point, I don't have an issue with my bearing. I have never change them in the years that I have owned my Max. I do check them often. I grease alot. My Max is 20 years old, not sure if first owner changed them or not. Very rarely do I run her in water and when I do, I put the grease right to her! I only want to change them so I will know how to do it. I do use locking collars inside and out

[LittleG]

I don't know why you would say that the 62 mm max bearings are junk i have been useing them for over thirty years and never had a problem with them either

[thebuggyman1]

After doing a little research on bearings........bearing manufacturers claim around 90% of bearing failures are NOT the fault of the bearing. Most of the failures happen because of foreign debris or contaminates get into the bearing.
The better bearings out there can cost in excess of $200 each....notice I said "better" as I'm sure you could spend much more than that if you really wanted to.
What you get when you buy a "better" quality bearing is one manufactured with tighter tolerances (more precise measurements). This really isn't needed for our machines.
A typical amphib has the outer bearing located approx. in the center of the axle. This design caused twice the wheel load to be transferred to that bearing (leverage). The load is actually quite small when the machine is sitting still, and on flat ground at minimal speed. Who wants to drive like that Now go fast hit a few tree roots/ rocks etc. and run through the mud at the same time. Axle flex AND bearing flex WILL happen, that means crud will get into your bearings. About the only thing you can do is keep your bearings well greased, and grease again when you get home.
If you watch, you will see the grease force water and hopefully the other contaminates out.

I have been buying the inexpensive bearings from Buffalo Bearing, but I'd suggest buying at least one spare just to have on hand.
If you can find/make a set of bearing extensions, that will help a lot.
Your Max will take 206-20 R3 bearings 206= 62mm outside dia. 20= 20x 1/16" or 1 1/4" axle
The newer machines take 207-20 r3 207=72mm outside dia and that IS a higher load bearing and in theory will flex less
The new Argo HDI bearings (72mm) seem to be a VERY nice bearing, and cost around $45 each.
The problem with using them on a max is axle retention......you would need to add a lock collar inside the tub. I like doing that anyway, it's cheap insurance against an axle shifting if the bearing lock collar fails.

[MAXII420]

I am about to do all 6 on my 2001 MAX II and was wondering who makes the BEST/strongest bearings for mine? Does anyone have a solid favorite and a good reason why?Thanks, Steve.

[jpswift1]

Thanks j.p. you wouldn't happen to know a bearing #. I want to change bearings and rebuild tranny this summer. Should be fun.

I don't know the part number offhand, but I can tell you that when you order them make sure you get the ones with the "R3" code at the end of the part number. This means triple lip seal.

I never used the Argo bearings on a Max, but what's the big advantage with them? And why is the standard 62mm bearing on the Max junk, Brandon? Mine have all been lasting a pretty long time.

[MaxRules]

It's worth the extra money and time to fit the Argo heavy duty bearing to your Max. The standard 62mm bearing your Max has is junk and won't last.

[tattooman]

Thanks j.p. you wouldn't happen to know a bearing #. I want to change bearings and rebuild tranny this summer. Should be fun.

[jpswift1]

Nope, just remove each axle flange and sprocket tube from the axle, slide it out, take the bearing off (may require a cut off wheel and use of 4 letter words and a file to make sure the surface of the axle is smooth) and then slide the new one on. Apply Never-Seize liberally.

[tattooman]

Does the frame have to come out of a 93 Max to change all six bearings.