split collars on axles to prevent sprocket walk

[Dennis Saskowski]

At one time I was warned that my "99" maxIV would have a issue with the rear axles sprocket set screw.It would fail and the sprocket would walk most likely in board.I shrugged it off ,8 months later it walked nocking teeth off sprocket and bending side plts. on chain. After replacing damaged sprocket and primary chain I put a split collar on each side of the sprocket(both rear axles) so it wouldn't do it again.Planning to do the same with the rest of the sprockets on the middle and front of the axles. Does this sound like a good preventative fix? Dennis

[thebuggyman1]

IMG_1872.jpgSounds like an excellent idea to me. I added a spacer between the bearing and sprocket tube and only used one split collar.

[mark m.]

"Sounds like an excellent idea to me. I added a spacer between the bearing and sprocket tube and only used one split collar."

Perhaps I am missing something. Your picture shows you have a bolt thru sprocket hub. That alone prevents the hub from moving out of alignment. ???

[thebuggyman1]

Perhaps I am missing something. Your picture shows you have a bolt thru sprocket hub. That alone prevents the hub from moving out of alignment. ???

Mine is a MaxII......I'm sure you got that Mark. For everyone else, what holds the axle in place is the locking collar on the bearing located outside of the tub. It is a common thing to have the eccentric ring on the bearing break allowing the axle to move a bit. Mark is right....the sprocket bolt holds it from falling out. However, the axle can still move 1/2" or more and thats not a good thing. The spacer prevents that. My other worry was if that happened AND the sprocket tube bolt sheared the axle would fall out.
Consider it cheap insurance.

[Toynut]

Sounds like an easy bit of insurance for long term drivetrain integrity. Are the axles on a 99 and a 2000 Max IV both the solid versions? What ID split collars did you buy for the Max IV?
My drivetrain seems fairly stable with no noticeable runout at the axles, but, I do occasionally pick up a slight rhythmic click/soft clunk when I run the vehicle on a body lift. It almost sounds like a tight link hanging up, but I see/feel no evidence of that just yet. I do believe I may be experiencing a hint of lateral play in the drivetrain which might cause a misalignment of the chain and sprocket. I plan on diving into this a bit further with a straightedge and laser chain alignment tools that I have for my bikes, but, I would like to at least remove/minimize any lateral shift of the axles/gears out of the equation.

[Dennis Saskowski]

I used 1 1/4'' I.D. x 1/2'' thick split collars on the max IV with solid axles. I plan to use collars on the rest of the axles. Found a supplier in Texas for cheap split collars, had 10 collars delivered to my door for $52. Made in china but I'm sure they will work fine.

[liflod]

I used the split collars when I upgraded to the sprocket pairs on the rear axles of my Max IV. It was easier than machining the grooves in the axle for the snap rings. I've been using them for 2 or 3 years with no problems.