MaxIV Axle Bearing Replacement

[fulleraviation]

Hey Guys and Gals,

I am trying to get motivated enough to replace at least the rear axle bearings on my 2007 MaxIV. I was only able to find a how to on the Max II.

I assume that the engine and table have to come out to gain access, but???

Any help here would be great. Any upgrades like better bearings or techniques?

BTW: Pictures worth their weight in gold.

If no one has photos, I guess I will need to document and make a HOW TO.

Thanks,
Rut

[Mike]

It's the same as the Max II. You are correct that you need to pull the motor and the table then you can follow the how-to from there. I highly recommend using the 3M caulk when you put the flanges back on. It's pretty straight forward once you get in there.

Good luck.

[brushcutter]

Rut, if you have a way to lift the engine out, I would recommend that you pull it. The job can be done without this but you need at least 2 extra elbows and 1 extra wrist to reach around in there. there are only 4 nuts and the engine wiring. I just finished replacing all 12 of Mudbugs bearings, he had pulled the motor before he brought it to my place and here is a thought that I had while in the process of reassembling it. If I owned a MaxIV with a roll cage like Dave's and I had to pull the motor so I could do work in that area,as in your case, I would try fastening a piece of square tubing to the rollcage and then use a come-along to raise the engine far enough to do what I needed. You wouldn't, in a case such as yours, have to remove the motor completely, just raise it enough to get the room you need.

[mudbug3]

( QUOTE ) " If I owned a MaxIV with a roll cage like Dave's and I had to pull the motor so I could do work in that area,as in your case, I would try fastening a piece of square tubing to the rollcage and then use a come-along to raise the engine far enough to do what I needed."



brushcutter ,



Thats an exellent idea.

[fulleraviation]

Thanks guys. I have had the engine and engine mount (Table) out several times. Thanks for the info. I also have some strip caulk.

I have outter bearing and flanges in stock. Is the inner and outter bearings the same?

[brushcutter]

Rut, the inner bearings and flanges are smaller than the outer.

[micmac]

[QUOTE=I highly recommend using the 3M caulk when you put the flanges back on. It's pretty straight forward once you get in there.

Good luck. [/QUOTE]

Hey Rut,

I'll second the vote for the 3m Strip Caulk. I've done my bearings several times on my Max IV using different stuff (plumbers putty, boat caulk, electrical box sealant etc) The 3m stuff has been the cleanest easiest to work with and I think seals the best. It's a bit difficult to find but well worth it to use.

Mike

[brushcutter]

Check this out guys, while getting ready reseal the bearings on my Hustler a while back, I went to several parts stores looking to find the 3m bead caulk. I struck out.

But I ran across this little item at Auto Zone: Ribbon Sealer auto glass replacement kit Part # MW38115


I already pretty much knew the ingredients on the 3M (great stuff, but hard to find locally) and to my surprise, this stuff had virtually the same ingredients, it works the same, feels the same, and if I remember right was only about $5 for a coil 15ft long . That is enough to do a lot of bearings! It is 3/8 diameter but can be rolled between your palms until it is about 3/16", which means you can do a bearing with a piece that is only about 6" long. You might try this if you can't find the 3M.

[fulleraviation]

I believe you can find the 3M Strip Caulk at Auto Body and Paint Supply Houses.

[Mike]

Rut, on my Max IV the inner bearings were smaller than the outers like brushcutter mentioned but I believe newer models (like yours) may have the same size bearings inner and outer? Hey_Dan could tell you for sure or maybe I'm imagining that.