Anyone know a mechanic that works on 6x6 in Chantilly Va area?

[jshade]

I need to have an axle and sprocket (right rear) replaced and I haven't found any mechanics so I am thinking that I'm going to do this myself.

Tonight I discovered that the axle is welded to the bearing (no Collar). It’s a good weld job, there are no leaks, and there is no flexing so I believe the inner bearings and flanges are in great condition.

I am planning on attending the 9 Oct Busco Beach so I really want to get this finished and tested. I printed out the directions for removing and replacing an Axle and from what I see the only thing I should need is:

1. Remove the engine (to get it out of the way).
2. Remove the chains on that side (one to T-20 and one to second wheel sprocket).
3. Unlock the collar (inside) and unscrew.
4. Remove the bolts from the external flange.
5. Pull out the Axle (with the bearing and the external flange since it's welded).
6. Remove the Sprocket and either replace ($150.00) or fix with those Cup Washers ($4.00 plus welding) from Richards.

NOTE: Figure that I'll have to get a new Axle, bearing and outer flange set, so any suggestions on where to get the best prices?

Now is when it gets complicated to me:

1. Put in the inner flange, bearing, and outer flange (with the grease seal) but leave it just a tiny bit loose so I can adjust the axle after I insert in the axle.
2. Put the sprocket and the inner collar inside the tub.
3. Put the outer collar on the axle and start to slide it into the outer bearing. After the axle gets inside the tub put on the sprocket and the collar and then finish sliding the axle into the inner bearing.
4. Lock both the inner and outer collar to the bearing.
5. Check the axle for any binding with the bearings and tighten the outer flange.
6. Bolt the sprocket to the axle.
7. Put on both chains.
8. Put back in the engine.

Drive it like I stole it until something else breaks?

SO – What do ya all think – I got a chance to fix my problem?

[rdr]

u have mail
robbie

[Mike]

You definitely have it down pat. I don't think you will have a problem. The only thing I would suggest is not to give up on your current axle as you can get the welded bearing off. Once you get the axle out grind through the outer bearing race and let the bearings themselves fall out so that you are just left with the inner race. Grind through the inner race and any welds holding it onto the axle as far as you can without getting into the axle itself. Then use a chisel / punch to knock it off the axle. The worst case is that you have to grind the welds all the way down to the axle but the welds should be on the outside of the bearing anyway so if you do happen to get into the axle a little it won't matter. The bearing will slide on from the other end and stop before it gets to that part anyway.

Hope that made sense?

[racerone3]

don't forget to lube the inside of the sprocket tube before you slide the axle back in... it will make life a lot easier if you ever have to take it back apart. i've switched from antiseize to wheel bearing grease for lubing the tubes and have been having much better luck getting things back apart.
you might want to throw in a new axle, then cut/ grind the bearing off the old one and keep it as a spare.

[lewis]

A drimmal grinder tool works great for this bearing removal from the axle. They sale a cutting disc and you can do this with precision without damaging the axle. This will be a very handy tool in your arsenal for future repairing.

[bierbower37]

The dremel will work but if you wanna move a little quicker get a cutting disk on an angle grinder...you should have room. I've had similar problems restoring older trucks and the welds are a pain to remove bottom line without damaging anything. Just be careful for heat build up you don't want to warp anything.(be sure to protect your tub from sparks...a wet towel laid down is excellent.) Get the machine up on blocks cut one spot on the weld rotate and get another. Take your time and dont get discouraged. Also on any bolts you remove let them soak in JB blaster or drench them in used motor oil makes life a little easier in removal. And the biggest thing is doing it yourself is the way to go once you fix something yourself you'll build confidence to take you 6x6 even further. Plus thats the best part of having one of these machines is working on it and improving it!

[jshade]

Well - got the axle out but it took over 4 hours --------

Thanks for all the answers and phone calls. It helped me believe that I could actually do this.

It started just like I expected and went downhill. Turns out that I had to grind the rear bearing off to get it out. I then discovered that the frame had two tears where the two upper bolts connect to the frame.

The axle is also rounded out so I guess that will be replaced with the sprocket. I sent the list of parts to Richards and he should give me a quote on Monday. I decided that I would go ahead and replace the axle, sprocket both bearings, the flanges and all the bolts. Be kind of expensive but I figure that I won't have to do it again as this set apparently lasted for 15 years. My hope is that he has everything in stock and can have them delivered quickly so I can get it back up and running by this weekend.

I've decided that since I have the engine and seats out I'll go ahead and replace the chains as well. That is something that I know I can do as I have been riding motorcycles for almost 40 years and replaced a lot of chains in that time.

By the way, might as well throw your preferences in chain oil and chain wax my way.

Johney (Durect) Shade

[Mike]

Congratulations on getting everything out. It sounds like you are doing it right by replacing everything while you are in there. You may want to source some of the more common parts locally and save some money. Bearings, bolts, and chain are nothing special so you may be able to get them cheaper at a bearing supply house. Just a thought. At least you have the hard part behind you so reassembly should be much easier. Keep us posted on how it goes.

[jshade]

Found a tear in the metal over the two inner flange bolt holes. I'm looking for someone right now that can weld them. One is about 3 inches and one is about 1 inch. They are truely tears in the metal. Started calling last nigth but so far no one wants to touch it because the frame is still inside the ABS body. Got a good lead on a welding shop that does "microwelding"?

The parts should be here by Friday this week so I figure that I will have the thing back together this weekend (if the weather holds out for me).

My wife has been looking over the other stuff (seats, motor mount, etc). She has a few suggestions for stuff that I should do (take the engine off the mount and paint it, etc).

Started cutting the new chains so I should have all of them by this afternoon and installed either late today or tomorow.

After that it's just making it look good for the Oct Busco Beach get together.

Johney (Durect) Shade

[rdr]

coolllllllllllllllllllllll u wife comeing to busco with u johney ???? going to be fun time . be quite a few ladys at busco this year . robbie

[jshade]

I'm still working on the wife to come down in Oct. With all the time she's spent with me working on my machine I'm hoping that she at least wants to see it work. Haven't had any success getting her out yet but she hasn't said absolutely no yet either.

What do the "much-better-half" do down there? From the pictures MOST don't go into the mud with the machines and their spouse, so I figured they found other things to do in the area. But when I look at the Web, I really can't find a lot of "tourist" things near the beach? Besides cooking and cleaning around the camp site, reading, drinking and napping - what else is there for them those 3 or 4 days?

Johney (Durect) Shade

[racerone3]

most of them ride... actually a large portion (better than half i'd say) have their own machines.

[hydromike]

What do the "much-better-half" do down there?

For two of the last rides/races my "better half" has attended with me, she has spent her time crashing and rolling over.




Most of the ladies seem quite content riding and throwing mud around, bending axles, etc. It's nice to have them around as a check on our senses. Without them, we'd tend to do some REALLY stupid things.

I mean REEEALLY stupid. I'm not sure if I heard this from a board member or not, but one of my favorite quips is:

What's the last sound you hear before a redneck dies?
"Hold my beer; whatch this."


~m

[jshade]

I shall advise her that if she doesn't go with me that the general advice from other members is to be sure and check that my Life Insurance payments are up-to-date.

On the otherhand, she hasn't forgiven me for buying this first 6x6. Maybe I should buy a second and tell her that it's "for her". Of course I will have to keep it running but taking it out once-in-a-while. And I wouldn't want it to be the same as mine. Maybe one that's a bit smaller and faster. Yes, that's the ticket - she needs one smaller and faster to come find me when I'm gone too long.

Think she will go for it.

Johney (Durect) Shade

[jshade]

The next time I'm going to find a garage that works on these . Ordered the axle, it came in, took the old one out and put the new one in. It only took about 10 hours. Thats besides the time I spent getting it to a welder to have the frame repaired, putting on all new chains, and now I have to clean it off from all the grease I got on it.

And I didn't even get to put on the new lights, the canopy, and grease and wax the new chains before I use them.

Love to drive it. Don't mind maintaining it. Hate to work on it.

Johney (Durect) Shade