Max II resto question about flanges

[ally bama]

On my max II I'm in the process of replacing all the chains and a couple sprockets. I'm new to these machines and I'm wanting to make sure I've got it sealed pretty well for use in water.if I replace the bearings what kind of sealant do I need to put between the bearing flanges and body, would marine rtv be ok? Also this is a little hard to explain without pictures, but my machine is about a '90 model and has the hollow axles. At the end of the axle opposite the wheel hub, are these axles supposed to have any kind of bushing where they go up on the smaller inner rod or do they just fit loose. Mine now has ALOT of play on that end. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[amphibious drew]

First off, use 3m strip caulk to seal the outer flanges to the body. You can get it at an auto parts store. As for the inner bushings, yes they should be there, but sound like they are missing or have gotten warn to nothing.

[ally bama]

Thanks for the help Drew, on the bushings are they replaceable or do I need new axles? Looks like if I could get them out I could just drive or press new ones in

[thebuggyman1]

Getting the old bushings out is the hard part......the new ones just press in, or tap in with a block of wood and a hammer. Bushing size is 1" OD, 3/4" ID, and 1" long. After pressing them in they shrink on the ID so you need a 3/4" bit and a GOOD drill motor, and remember to use lube.

A grease zerk added to the wheel flange will keep your bushings from wearing out like that. The bushings are much tougher than bearings, but with no way to lube them, they don't last.

[ally bama]

Thanks for the help guys, I got my old bushings out. I used a 3/4" bolt and put the axle in a vise and ran the bolt up in the bushing then clamped the bolt head in the vise and beat on the hub with a hammer and they came out pretty easy.