Max IV Axle removal HELP PLEASE

[AZ.MAXIV]

My Max IV was made in 2000. I have removed all the hardware holding the axles in place except the 4-bolts that hold the bearing housing's in place. All the sprockets and disk brake rotor wiggle from side to side but do not slide up or down on the splined axle shaft. I would think that the sprocket should side free up or down in order to remove the axle's, right? I watched the video on "YouTube " today on bearing replacement but my unit is different. Could someone please advise me on how to remove the axles. Thanks for any help!

[ARGOJIM]

Some splined axles have set screws holding the sprockets and some have snap rings, did you remove these? I also think Max copied the axle retaining bolt at the inner end of the axle, did you remove that?
If all are removed some force may be needed to move any stuck items.

[AZ.MAXIV]

After further inspection of the sprockets I noticed that someone used two set screws per hole. No wonder I had problems!!! At this time I have 5 axles out and one that is fighting me. It looks like they used RED lock-tight to hold the set screw in place. I will have to heat the sprocket up to soften up the lock-tight. All smiles right now!!!!!

[PlumCrazy]

In the manufacturing machining world, we use double set screws a lot.
NORMALLY, for a 1/4" or 5/16" thread I don't use any Loctite above #222, #243 if I have one that is problematic.
The double set screws hold VERY well, WITHOUT Loctite unless things are very worn.

[AZ.MAXIV]

So are you saying that I should use that method again? Is that what RI uses or is it what some else did? I just want to used the best method to secure the sprockets in place. Thanks

[amphibious drew]

Double set screw is the preferred method. It is easier than lock tight if you need to do a field repair in the axle.

[PlumCrazy]

Double set screw is the preferred method. It is easier than lock tight if you need to do a field repair in the axle.

Yep...what Drew said!

[AZ.MAXIV]

Well Well Well, Still fighting the last and final set screw. I was very careful not to overheat the sprocket and melt the TUB, but no luck at this time. The set screw has so much Loctite around the threads that its giving me a problem. It looks like I have two options at this time: 1) find a super hardened drill and drill it out, 2) cut the axle out and purchase a new axle and sprocket. I also checked on the Loctite Web page to see if there is a solvent to remove the Loctite, NOPE.

After further inspection of the sprockets I noticed that someone used two set screws per hole. No wonder I had problems!!! At this time I have 5 axles out and one that is fighting me. It looks like they used RED lock-tight to hold the set screw in place. I will have to heat the sprocket up to soften up the lock-tight. All smiles right now!!!!!

[thebuggyman1]

You have a couple of options to protect the tub from the heat. 1) A heat shield. Use a piece of sheet metal and block it up off the tub with small pieces of wood.
2) Fill the chain channel with water. Keep the water off the sprocket or it will cool it.

[PlumCrazy]

Well Well Well, Still fighting the last and final set screw. I was very careful not to overheat the sprocket and melt the TUB, but no luck at this time. The set screw has so much Loctite around the threads that its giving me a problem. It looks like I have two options at this time: 1) find a super hardened drill and drill it out, 2) cut the axle out and purchase a new axle and sprocket. I also checked on the Loctite Web page to see if there is a solvent to remove the Loctite, NOPE.

Not sure what you have tried so far!
1.Clean the set screw out with a small pick and compressed air.
2.Spray a penetrant into the set screw hole.
3.In the tub next to the axle, I would put the correct hex head (allen key) in my 3/8" ratchet for additional torque, after touching up the end of the allen key with my DA to be sure it is not rounded/damaged and I get a good bite.
4.Toss a ball-pien hammer next to the ratchet.
5.Fire up the Mapp gas (after taking the precautions Jim out lined below).
You want to heat the hub, not the screw.
6.When the set screw area is HOT and the penetrant has been hissing at you.
7.Put the ratchet into the set screw and maintain torque on the screw while you HIT the side of the hub close to the screw repeatedly with the hammer (a second person is really helpful).
If it doesn't brake loose now I would resort to a left hand drill bit.
Repeat everything beginning at #2 above.
I buy the HFT left hand set and the 30pc grab bag bit set (it usually has many LH bits in it) for 7$ on sale.

If the LH drill bit doesn't do it, time to cut the axle off.
RI wants 150$ for that axle, so keep trying!
good luck, we have all been through it, Attex's, Max's and yes even ARGO's!

[AZ.MAXIV]

Thanks for the info! I have rounded out the set screw at this time. I am going to try one more trick that I read about on the Web. "Paint stripper" this should act as a solvent to soften up the Loctite. If this does not work, I will just drill it out the set screw to save the axle, and purchase a new sprocket.

[amphibious drew]

Thanks for the info! I have rounded out the set screw at this time. I am going to try one more trick that I read about on the Web. "Paint stripper" this should act as a solvent to soften up the Loctite. If this does not work, I will just drill it out the set screw to save the axle, and purchase a new sprocket.

You could always re-tap the set screw hole for a bigger set screw and save both parts if you get it drilled out.

[AZ.MAXIV]

Great idea!!!!!

[AZ.MAXIV]

SUCCESS !!!!!!!!!!! The paint stripper does not work. This is what I did to remove the frozen set screw: I used a Cobalt drill bit and started with a 1/8, 9/64, 5/32, and a 11/64. this was the perfect order to just drill enough to remove the cone shape tip. At this point in the removal the sprocket would move up and down the axle shaft!!!!! Once the axle was removed I was able to slowly Tap out the set screw. Happy 6x6 owner at this time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[AZ.MAXIV]

Thanks for all who help out !!!!!!!