Good video. Some forget to release tensioners during bearing checks. Don’t forget to check bearing flange bolts too. I find it easy to put your wrench on the axle thrust bolt and then turn the axle flange clockwise/counterclockwise to tighten/loosen the thrust bolt. Outer bearings fail because of contamination. Much of the time new grease doesn’t actually make its way into the bearings anyway lol. You may consider pre drilling a 2nd hole and driving a 2nd GRK lag screw into each guide.
@@RaisedinAlaska adding a 2nd fastener will help prevent a single fastener from shearing/breaking when the tires plow into the guides (tilting them over). This puts severe leverage on the fastener, and is especially true if you happen to have traction enhancers/ice cleats mounted in non-winter conditions. It can also happen if the terrain is not favorable for skid turning and/or you have heavy loads. But ice cleats in non-winter conditions (and sometimes in winter conditions too) I feel are the root cause. I’ve repaired (or at least tried) quite a few of these tracks that have had broken screws from what I believe is the track sticking to the ground, while the machine and tires simply skid turn as per usual and force the moveable guide tips over. I noticed you had an outer belt (ground level belt in this case) drilled to accept additional hardware, which is why I mention this. If you don’t run the ice cleats and/or double belt kit in non-snow conditions, then you’ll likely be okay. But ultimately the tire guides take a lot of leverage (especially on sidehills), so a 2nd pre-drilled hole + fastener is helpful. If you haven’t broken any in your particular conditions and seasonal specific use, then I would say keep doing whatever you’re doing
I used these bearing few times seems to work as long as the argo has I install mine the way the argo does BUT,,,, BUT I take a durable grinder with there small cutting disk and run a small cut line straight across and never had a problem the grease will go across to the hole
It seems the maintenance per mile is extremely high on the Argo's , i know there more than a atv/sxs for maintenance but do you think it's higher because of the tracks vs no tracks
That’s a great question. I don’t think the tracks increase the level of maintenance that is necessary. The exterior bearings are exposed to water, and there are eight of them, so this is going to require a fair amount of maintenance. All the sprockets and chains to make this simple machine something that requires a fair amount of maintenance. That said, I can take it places that other machines can’t go and that’s my motivation for owning one.
I know a dealer who has 40 or more Argos that he rents to industrial customers up north here. He told me that tracks are extremely hard on Argos. I tend to agree. I bought an Argo Aurora 2020 800. I have replaced 4 bearings so far but because of the terrain I travel over I won't be taking the tracks off.
Running 40 Argo’s, I believe he knows more than I do. I will say they are a totally different machine with tracks and I’m willing to do a little more maintenance for then benefit of the tracks.
Great video, I've been thinking about getting one but have always wondered about the maintenance side.
I would say they require more maintenance than many other toys however, they will go where other vehicles will not go.
Thanks for sharing how to check the wheel bearings.
Thank you. I just got home from AM, it was great to see my son and we had a lot of fun.
Very good tutorial Fn water & mud kills everything on off road machines
Very true, there seems to be a correlation between fun and maintenance. 🤔
Good video. Some forget to release tensioners during bearing checks. Don’t forget to check bearing flange bolts too. I find it easy to put your wrench on the axle thrust bolt and then turn the axle flange clockwise/counterclockwise to tighten/loosen the thrust bolt. Outer bearings fail because of contamination. Much of the time new grease doesn’t actually make its way into the bearings anyway lol.
You may consider pre drilling a 2nd hole and driving a 2nd GRK lag screw into each guide.
Say more about your last sentence please.
@@RaisedinAlaska
adding a 2nd fastener will help prevent a single fastener from shearing/breaking when the tires plow into the guides (tilting them over). This puts severe leverage on the fastener, and is especially true if you happen to have traction enhancers/ice cleats mounted in non-winter conditions. It can also happen if the terrain is not favorable for skid turning and/or you have heavy loads. But ice cleats in non-winter conditions (and sometimes in winter conditions too) I feel are the root cause. I’ve repaired (or at least tried) quite a few of these tracks that have had broken screws from what I believe is the track sticking to the ground, while the machine and tires simply skid turn as per usual and force the moveable guide tips over.
I noticed you had an outer belt (ground level belt in this case) drilled to accept additional hardware, which is why I mention this. If you don’t run the ice cleats and/or double belt kit in non-snow conditions, then you’ll likely be okay. But ultimately the tire guides take a lot of leverage (especially on sidehills), so a 2nd pre-drilled hole + fastener is helpful. If you haven’t broken any in your particular conditions and seasonal specific use, then I would say keep doing whatever you’re doing
@@littlesusitna1 thank you for the information, you are a wealth of knowledge. I appreciate it.
I used these bearing few times seems to work as long as the argo has I install mine the way the argo does BUT,,,, BUT I take a durable grinder with there small cutting disk and run a small cut line straight across and never had a problem the grease will go across to the hole
Interesting, you’re braver than me.
Lol better odds then 30$ in slot machine
@@brianleduc2244 That is very true.
Solid project.
Well done, that looks like an easy check.
How many miles do you think you put on the argo each year?
Some years I put more on than others, but I primarily use it for hunting. I’d guess not more than 40 miles a year.
How many hrs on your machine?
I think I have less than 180 hours on it.
It seems the maintenance per mile is extremely high on the Argo's , i know there more than a atv/sxs for maintenance but do you think it's higher because of the tracks vs no tracks
That’s a great question. I don’t think the tracks increase the level of maintenance that is necessary. The exterior bearings are exposed to water, and there are eight of them, so this is going to require a fair amount of maintenance. All the sprockets and chains to make this simple machine something that requires a fair amount of maintenance. That said, I can take it places that other machines can’t go and that’s my motivation for owning one.
I know a dealer who has 40 or more Argos that he rents to industrial customers up north here. He told me that tracks are extremely hard on Argos. I tend to agree. I bought an Argo Aurora 2020 800. I have replaced 4 bearings so far but because of the terrain I travel over I won't be taking the tracks off.
Running 40 Argo’s, I believe he knows more than I do. I will say they are a totally different machine with tracks and I’m willing to do a little more maintenance for then benefit of the tracks.
I really appreciate your Argo maintenance videos. 👍
Thank you very much. I just finished a series of maintenance projects on it, so I’m scheduled to drop one a month for awhile.