Max ll Bearings, Bearings, Bearings

[Outlaw1]

Hi Guys,
Started replacing the chains on my Max yesterday. They were beyond sloppy. While my Max was off the ground I started moving the tires and noticed about 1/16-1/8 in. play in every axle. Lt rear more than the rest. 3 of the chain tensioners were toast or missing. Looks like I need to replace some bearings. The inners seem o.k. I'll check to see. Don't think I will have to run it through any water so leaking isn't the issue. Unit has about 200 hrs on it. Prior owner just let the chains go and I reap the rewards. The only problem he said he had with it was it pulled to the right. Duhh! I could actually make the chains meet in the middle on all the axles. Right jackshaft vertical chain had about 2 inches play. Left side not much better. Pretty much rode hard and put up wet. Sucks to be me today.Looks like I'll be reviewing Mikes bearing change video a couple times. Not to mention about $400. worth of parts.

[Normable1973]

Ahhh yup..... Welcome to the wonderful world of used AATVS!! But well worth it! Norm

[john swenson]

outlaw, go ahead and fix it all. then you have piece of mind when riding. i just replaced rear left inner bearing on my max 2 yesterday. was able to unbolt engine and slide it over to get to the bearing. not bad. and replaced both rear chain tensioner blocks too. allittle hard on my back, but sures runs nicer. johnboy va.

[Outlaw1]

Thanks guys,
Feel free to pitch in any time. I already feel the bad back syndrome from yesterday. Been pricing bearings from Max. More than I thought they would be. Anyone else sell them other than the Max suppliers? I suppose the flanges are a Max-only item though.

[john swenson]

outlaw, i and other members have bought from buffalo bearings, good prices. tell them your a member of 6x6 world. 716 874 1720. johnboy va.

[Outlaw1]

Thanks Johnboy, I'll give it a shot.

[Outlaw1]

I just called Buffalo Bearings. Of course they want part #'s or bearing dimensions, of which I have neither. Anyone know the right number for the bearings for a '97 Max ll without me pulling one to see?

[Mike]

You can search the site and find the numbers you are looking for. Here are a few threads:

http://www.6x6world.com/forums/max-atvs/15036-1997-max-ii-bearings-wheel-seal-replacement-newbie.html#post79143

http://www.6x6world.com/forums/max-atvs/14333-bearing-replacement-part-numbers-company-name.html#post83588

http://www.6x6world.com/forums/max-atvs/27863-max-ii-bearing-cages-falling-apart.html#post153364

You should have the 72mm bearings but check to be sure.

[Outlaw1]

Thanks again Mike,
Kinda new at this, but I assume the 72mm is the OD of the bearing? If so, I'll check locally and see whats available. RI quoted me $24 for the bearings, but if I can get the bearings and flanges for that then that's the way I will go.

[Outlaw1]

Just checked all the local bearing houses. The lowest price I found for the HC 207-20 was $48. RI wanted $24. Anyone out there know where they are cheaper?

[hydromike]

It depends on the level of quality you're looking for. I've put some cheaper Peer, KML, NTN, and FYH bearings in several machines. These varied from 52mm to 72mm O.D. bearings. For the most part, these hold up fine in the relative short term (3-5 years?) giving them decent abuse in local muddy conditions and some of the nastiest stuff Busco Beach can throw at them. These lower-end units were typically standard (single) or double-lip sealed units. The triple sealed Timken/Fafnir insert bearings are really high end pieces and I'm running them in a couple machines as well. They're a lot more pricey, but I'm anticipating having to replace them a lot more infrequently for the amount of riding I actually get around to doing.


To answer your question more succinctly, yes: $11.36 each. Typically, these are KML brand, but that may have changed.


HC207-20 1-1/4" Cam Locking Insert Bearing Large OD


::EDIT:: ... .and for goodness' sake, eBay, eBay...eBay... I've purchased from these guys, too. They combine shipping to an extent.


HC207 20 China New Ball Bearing Insert | eBay


Now THAT'S scraping the bottom of the price barrel. These could very well be the same bearings that the BigBearingStore is offering above.

[Noel Woods]

Adair Argo makes a set of synthetic bearings out of UHMW plastic. They look kind of like a hockey puck. I've got a pair on a Max 2 as well as on an Argo Frontier. Each has been on for three years and about 150 hours per machine with no signs of wear, and they keep the tub sealed very well.

I think they will continue to work well for many years. There are no moving parts. These work for both smooth or splined axles.

Since you are not sure what size bearings you have I would pull a couple off to determine for sure what size you need. If you have a smaller set you could ask the Adair guys to send a non drilled set so that you could drill your on bolt holes. Then secure with carriage bolts.

[tattooman]

Noel, would you happen to have a picture of the synthetic bearings. .

[Noel Woods]

These bearings can be mounted singly, doubled, tripled, or whatever. I mounted this one as a double to emulate the bearing extensions that Argo uses.

[ARGOJIM]

Believe the 97's still had 62mm bearings, if your machine has inner bushings and pinned(bolt on sprockets) axles it probably has 62 mm. They would be HC206-20