Max IV frame issues and questions

[tonyk72]

I found what appear to be stress cracks towards the rear of the frame on my '96 Max IV. These were not surface cracks, they went all the way through.




I welded these up, but I was wondering if the support brackets everybody has been talking about recently would have prevented this? Specifically parts 015082 and 015081 in this pic...Where do they go?


Last question, I think I saw a thread that said some bends at the rear of the frame to accommodate the rear sprockets are "factory". Do these bends look like something RI would have done?

[Mike]

For the support brackets, check out the manuals section of the site. There is a frame reinforcement kit PDF that shows where the pieces go: Max 6x6 Manuals

On your last photo, those "bends" were caused by a sprocket or chain issue and are not factory. If you turn your Max and the rear tire slams into a tree, for example, it can push the axle in. That moves the sprocket in and causes the chain to try and climb off. Since there is very little room between the sprocket and frame, the chain will eat into the frame. Other things can cause the same problem but they ultimately involve the sprocket, chain and frame.

[phabib]

The usual thing to do with cracks is to drill a small (maybe 1/8") hole at the end of each crack to prevent the crack from spreading farther.

[tonyk72]

Another thing I came across...Is this really bad? Seems like the rear of the T20 sat lower than the front.

[Mike]

Not a big issue. You seem to have caught it before it got bad enough to do any damage to the T20 or machine.

[tonyk72]

For the support brackets, check out the manuals section of the site. There is a frame reinforcement kit PDF that shows where the pieces go: Max 6x6 Manuals

Hi Mike, I checked out that section but couldn't make heads or tails of the diagrams. I made a cardboard mock up of one of the pieces. It is not exact in size, but close enough to 015082. Does this look like where it would go?

[msafi65]

I believe I took that pic. If you look in my pics at the repaired frame the parts show proper position. I've found a max IV with the transmission sitting 1/16" low looses almost half the chain adjustment. The side plates need to be installed with the top in line with the front of the frame. If you lay a 4 foot straight edge on the top of the frame you will be able to see any deviation in the rear area. If you text I have some pics of the parts set up on a frame. My # 907-388-8582

[freestyle7783]

Mudd ox will not be making those kits I found out yesterday I too need the trans brackets that go on front and weld to the frame on my 2000

[tonyk72]

Any ideas on how to straighten those "bends" at the rear of the frame?

[Mike]

Any ideas on how to straighten those "bends" at the rear of the frame?

An adjustable wrench should give you enough leverage to get the major bends out. Then use a solid piece of metal under the frame and use a hammer to beat if flat against that. You should be able to get it pretty flat/straight.

[tonyk72]

Good tip on the wrench Mike.

Going back to the support brackets, specifically the "tube brace", it would appear that this bracket is designed to cradle the T20. The T20 has that flat spot on the bottom (and top) of the case and it would make sense that the T20 would rest on the middle of the brace. You'd never be able to see it with the frame in the tub, but it doesn't look like the flat spot on the T20 would line up with the tube brace. The T20 sits too far back to be supported by the brace of you weld it on the high point of the tube. I took this pic with frame out and upside down with T20 mounted. Check it out:

[msafi65]

I now have tracings of all of the frame parts with install drawings. I tried to scan but they don't print to dimentions. Send me an address and I'll mail a copy. Only the plate for locking lower mount bolts is now available from factory. I'm looking into having some cut but nobody in this area with lazer cutter. The full kit is for any Max IV with slotted lower bolt holes at the transmission. The front brackets can be added to any 2002?? To 08 that dosent have them.

[tonyk72]

I made up my own...

I ended up making my own support brackets and T20 support. I'm not a fabricator, and there was a lot of work into making these fit just right. For the bottom support bracket, I sliced a rubber fuel hose down the middle so that the T20 doesn't have to rest on steel. Everything bolts down real tight. I don't think I'll have any issues with the T20 wobbling around anymore.

[msafi65]

Nice job on mounts. Slip in your axles and sprockets and see how new chain fits. If the dimentions to axles are correct and new sprockets and prestressed chain you should just be able to make the connection on master link without tensioner touching the chain. I usually find the t20 sitting low and almost all the adjustment used up before even running it.

[tonyk72]

Everything getting put back together and I got the axles and chains on the sprockets. There is not much clearance at all on the rear sprockets between the frame and the tub floor. I'd say I got about 1/8" from the frame and maybe 1/4" from the floor. I can see why I had those bends in there, but they are straightened out now. Is this normal?
I also fixed the wobbled up slot holes the T20 sat in and it's amazing how much this affected chain adjustment. But I'm wondering if by doing so this changed how much clearance I have for the rear chains/sprockets.