Well i had a blast with my Max IV

[awesomepossum66]

OK, let me say that i am new to this 6x6 thing, but allways wanted to get involved. Well, i got myself a 1998 Max IV with a 20 horse power Kohler and26 in tires ,,,and it runs great it does make some noise when i turn left or right, So if any one wants to take a shot at telling me what they think i can do to fix this little problem ,(,,,I,,,)am all ears . I am still about half way scared to tackle the big hills that i have here, I have about 700 acres of swamps ,mud bogs, creek,woods, river,fields, this place has a lot of fun places to ride.,,,,,Thanks ,,

[Rolling_X_6]

. . . and it runs great it does make some noise when i turn left or right, So if any one wants to take a shot at telling me what they think i can do to fix this little problem ,(,,,I,,,)am all ears . . .

Welcome to a great forum full of very nice and helpful people.

As far as your noise . . . I would start off by checking to see that all of the chains are tight . . . not OVERLY tight, but snugged up. I am guessing that you will find that one or more of the chains is very loose . . . which could simply be the problem, in and of itself. OR . . . and I hope not . . . it could be the symptom of a larger problem. But, at this point, there is no reason to assume the worst.

Just check all 6 of the chains, especially the shorts ones under the engine that lead from either side of the T-20 transmission down to drive the two back axles. After you have checked and snugged up all 6 of the chains, give it a try . . . that may just solve your problem.

Good Luck!!!

[mudbug3]

Make sure you have the wheels off of the ground for acurrate chain adjustment.

[awesomepossum66]

Thank you i checked the chains before i saw your reply and there was 2 chains very lose , this seams to have made it better the only thing i can see that might be a problem is when i go down hill and pull back on the sticks to go slow , it makes that loud noise ,,,and when i turn real sharp turn it does it again there to ,,,,,other wise this thing is awesome ,,, again thaks for your help

[AussieMax]

I'd also check the oil in the T-20. Make sure it has enough in it, and that it is the correct type. It may not have the GM additive mixed with the oil. This will make the bands chatter when braking and may be the noise you are hearing when turning.

[Rolling_X_6]

i checked the chains before i saw your reply and there was 2 chains very lose , this seams to have made it better

Did you get all of the chains completely tight, snugged up??? Or, did you only get one or more of them "better than they were," but still not "what they should be"??? That makes a difference in troubleshooting what might be wrong with your machine. Also . . . after you took it for a ride, did all of the chains stay tight??? Check them and see if they all stayed snug.

the only thing i can see that might be a problem is when i go down hill and pull back on the sticks to go slow , it makes that loud noise ,,,and when i turn real sharp turn it does it again there to

Does this noise resemble something between a metallic, metal-on-metal scrapping sound and a machine-gun-type sound??? Again, this could make a difference in troubleshooting what might be wrong with your Max IV.

[awesomepossum66]

it sounds like metallic ,metal on metal to me

[KrS14]

Time to check those brake pads me thinks

Edit: Check everything in the braking system down there, could be something outside the pads rubbing and making noise.

[jerseybigfoot]

it sounds like metallic ,metal on metal to me

Check your lug nuts to make sure they are tight. I had a similar noise with my Attex and found the right front whell lugs loose.

[Rolling_X_6]

it sounds like metallic ,metal on metal to me

I bought a 2000 Max IV this past fall that made some of those same sounds. After checking around with some people with a lot of experience, I found out that there are several things that could possibly cause such noises. Any ONE of these could be the problem . . . or a combination of the list. Most of them basically allowed the chain to jump the teeth of a drive sprocket when under load . . . such as when you are braking . . . whether while turning or while trying to slow down/stop. The noise you are hearing could be caused by a chain jumping the teeth of a drive sprocket. Here is the list I was given:

1. A chain is loose simply because it has not been tightened recently . . . so the chain jumps the teeth of a drive sprocket.
2. A chain is loose because the chain is stretched and worn out; therefore it will not allow the idler sprocket adjustment to get the chain tight . . . so the chain jumps the teeth of a drive sprocket.
3. A chain is loose because the bearings in the idler sprocket are shot; therefore the chain won't stay tight . . . so the chain jumps the teeth of a drive sprocket.
4. Some of the mounting bolts of the T-20 transmission may be broken off allowing the transmission to move when under load allowing the two main drive chains to get loose . . . so the chain jumps the teeth of a drive sprocket.
5. A drive sprocket, itself, has some of the teeth knocked off (maybe because of #1, #2, #3, or #4 above) . . . so the chain jumps what's left of the teeth of that drive sprocket.
6. There was one more possibility, but it was said by everyone I spoke to that this is less likely than the others above: there could be some things wrong internally with the T-20 that could make some wicked sounds when under load.

I hope this hopes. I truly hope it is as simple of a thing as possible. But, it does give you some things to CHECK OUT and I hope RULE OUT as applying to your situation.

Keep us posted.

[argohunter]

Time to check those brake pads me thinks

Edit: Check everything in the braking system down there, could be something outside the pads rubbing and making noise.

That's a good idea to check on an Argo but his Max does not have a braking system with pads for steering like the Argo relies on.

[awesomepossum66]

Wow , you guys are awesome , it seams that you all have had the same problems i have got , and know just how to fix it ,,,,, so i will be trying to fix mine this week so i can go again this weekend ,i really do think it is loose chains after talking to you guys ,,, any ways i went back to the bogs this past Sunday and took the max threw some mud holes about 4 feet deep and 40 feet long i went right threw it like it was not even there ,, i love this dam thing .We will be trying the swamps next week and from what i hear this could be a blast ,,,so if any body is from Kentucky and want to go play in the bogs let me know ,,it just cost a few $$$ and you can ride all day .,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I will update how my noise problem is sometime this week ,, until then thanks for your help ,,,

[awesomepossum66]

rolling x6 THANKS You hit it ,,,,,,,its number 3 the are wore out and the chains are very loose ,,,,,,,i tightened up every thing but this will not fix it i will have to replace the wore out idler sprocket and try it again ,,thanks,,

[Rolling_X_6]

rolling x6 THANKS You hit it ,,,,,,,its number 3 the are wore out and the chains are very loose ,,,,,,,i tightened up every thing but this will not fix it i will have to replace the wore out idler sprocket and try it again ,,thanks,,

awesomepossum66--

You are very welcome. That is why we all love this forum . . . people sharing their experiences--both good ones and bad ones--so that others can gain from them.

There is no reason to think that there is anything else wrong with your Max than just those worn idler sprocket bearings. Let's hope that after you get that fixed, it will run like a new one.

Keep us all posted.

[awesomepossum66]

Well i got my Max IV fixed ,, i changed the chain idler sprockets ,,and my i say they was shot ,,,,,just want to think every one for there help in this . Hoping to go mudding this weekend ,,it really is running good ,,,later