argo tranny slips out of gear

[joshledoux]

Hi there, I'm new to argos but not new to spinnin wrenches by any stretch. I have picked up what I believe is an 81-86 8x8 argo with the kohler 17hp series II motor my problem is that the prior owner busted off the gear selector handle and clamped a set of vice grips on the shaft instead. I have since ordered the parts to repair this and am now awaiting their arrival. My concern in the meantime is that whenever I put it into gear it slips out or does not go all the way in (also no markings as to what gear is where) and makes a terrible noise similar to that of chains slipping sprockets (I have checked the chains and sprockets and they are in good condition). can anybody offer any insight? I see a lot of very knowledgeable folks here. ps I'm in Vancouver Canada.

[eightwheeler]

Hey Josh, if i were you i would take a day and rip out the trans and open it up to properly diagnose/fix the problem, if your used to turnin wrenches then it wont be hard for you, so if you get it out and open you can go from there, it probably has stripped/worn gears which is not uncommon for gears that are 20+ years old

hope this helps

[joshledoux]

thx for the advice, I think I will do that. I was lookin at the takedown diagrams and it just looks mostly like a system of jackshafts anyways.

[joshledoux]

okay it took 45 mins but the tranny is out, how hards it gonna be to split these cases?

[Rock Doctor]

Not hard, you might want to have a Benzo Torch handy to warm up the case. There is a slight interference fit on the bearings, warming the case up from the outside helps sometimes. I actually have one apart right now, had to knock a hole in one of the case plugs over one of the shafts to get it open though.
The one I have apart was skipping out of Low and Reverse. Upon opening we noticed that a couple of the gears have worn, rounded faces. I believe this is caused by running the machine with it not quite fully engaged in gear, and then the meshing gears slowly walk away from each other, then skip right out of gear. Like you said, sometimes it's hard to tell if the trans is right in gear or not. I have new parts, but have not had a chance to get back on that project for several months..............Hope I remember how it goes back togeather

RD

[joshledoux]

okay yeup got er apart and sure nuff almost no oil in her. one of the gears and one of the bearings looked like they exploded. Eightwheeler was dead on the money. everything else still looked and fit tight. So I will order up parts tomorrow and be away to the races so to speak. thx for the help guys!

[eightwheeler]

No problem Josh, glad to help, just be sure to warm the casings up upon reassembly as well and you should be good to go!!