How difficult is it to pull the axles out of a Max Buffalo?

[greg pinson]

Exactly what is involved?

[Eldon]

LOL you picked a good day to ask me as I just now got the first axle out of my Max II.The Buffalo is laid out mechanically the same as the Max II with I should think a longer wheelbase.
I was all day and some of this evening getting one axle out but I am just at the exploratory stage and getting together the equipment I need.Mike has a large article here on bearing replacement and in there is the procedure.Mine unlike Mike's machine has bearing cages with an extra bearing.This is going to make it much more difficult as there are three bearings to be seized on the axle instead of two.Check out Mikes article,also he is well experienced in this procedure.Those southern boys really use their Max.

[brushcutter]

Hey Eldon, If you can get the axle out and are not trying to save the bearings, here's a little trick I learned.

After putting on your safety gear (glasses, face shield, heavy gloves, steel toed boots, 911 on the speed dial...and such)Using a 4 1/2" angle grinder with a cutoff wheel(the ones that are about 1/16" thick) clamp the axle in a vice and make a cut across the width of the outer bearing outer race then repeat on the other side. This will allow you to remove that part without much trouble.
Now repeat with the inner race without cutting through into the axle. If the bearing does not come off then (this is why you will need the fore-mentioned safety gear), using 2 hammers place one on the bearing inner race on a spot roughly 90deg to the cuts and whack the race lightly with the 2nd hammer. This should separate the 2 halves by breaking the uncut portion of the race. But don't hit it very hard, because the race is hardened and can explode, sending sharp pieces flying in all directions, thus the need for the fore-double-mentioned safety gear. Such safety gear shall also be adorned by any helpers, proverbial innocent bystanders and the occasional passersby.

BE CAREFUL!

Works on inner and outer bearings.

[Toynut]

Reminds me on how we would have to remove the occasional stuck crank timing gear on an engine after traditional methods failed.
You really must watch out for flying pieces of hardened steel. Lay a damp towel over the area to keep the fragments from shooting all over the place. Make sure none of the fragments end up in your chain!

[Eldon]

I really appreciate the responses folks.I value all this information.Makes me feel like I have a really big crew helping.My first day today I now know how they come off and how the flanges seal.When I get them changed out my plan is that knowing how to do it will let me run my Max for years to come.

[brushcutter]

No prob,Eldon! One thing about these machines is that sooner or later you're GONNA learn how to work on them... either in the shop at home or way...way...way back in the woods! So the more you can learn in the relative comfort of your shop, the easier things will go for you in those other places.

I don't know any mechanics that do service calls in the swamp... But I also dont know any amphibers that haven't worked on their machines back in yonder either...

[liflod]

Do not worry about the outer bearing until the axle is out. Remove the bolts holding the outer bearing flange. With that loose, all you need to worry about are the sprockets. If the axle is stuck to the inner bearing, just hit the wheel flange with a hammer to drive the axle out of the inner bearing. The hammer trick also helps with the sprocket assembly. Just place a piece of wood between the frame and the sprocket for protection then hammer till the axle comes out. Sometimes it helps to drive the axle into the body to loosen the assembly. Use lots of PB blaster to get everything out and use lots of anti-seize on assembly.

[bierbower37]

PB blaster, a little heat, and tapping up and down on the sprokets helps losen it a lot. I did that on my one front axle when I replaced it and it came out pretty easy. Less then a 40 minute operation if that. And never seez is amazing for any future repairs. I know 3 of my 6 axles are now easy to replace bearings on.

[NM Sandrail]

Hi Everyone...
Another great product to free up frozen steel parts...is CRC Freeze-Off... This is obtainable at many AutoZones now. I use it now for my primary penetrant, as PB Blaster didn't work too well on some really tough cases. It freezes the connection and breaks the bond with a very cold spray.. If you ever have struggled with a oxygen sensor on a 10 year old car, you will appreciate this stuff... Took 2 frozen ones out of my step daughter 2000 Dodge in 2 minutes each.. Was so easy! Anyway, something else to use, if you have a tough case in front of you... Got a 25 year old Nissan driveshaft to change the center bearing on, and I have a fresh can of this Freeze-Off to make the job so much easier... Good luck with your projects...duane (NM Sandrail)

[Eldon]

In my case there are two outer bearings with the cage.This exasperates the operation substantially but I just got the axle cleaned and buffed and I am developing a system to work around it.This is one time I envy you guys with hollow axles and no bearing cages.(If it was built by man,it can be repaired by man).