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Route 6x6 Discussion Board * Restoration of older ATV's * 1980 TB Argo Transmission Problems--Please help!!! < Previous Next >

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Argo

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:44 pm:   

Hello. I am restoring a 1980 TB Argo. I have it running but now find that my transmission does not go into reverse. I understand that the engine must be idled low to change gears. However, I can get it to go forward low and forward high, neutral, but when I shift into reverse the unit still goes forward. Am I beyond help? Should I just buy a different transmission? Any help would be appreciated.
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argogeru

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:44 pm:   

You need to replace your reverse gear, about 40 dollars if I remember right. 22 years of grinding has more than likely rounded it off to were it is not even engaging, or maybe broke off in the gear box somewhere. I would not run the machine untill the transmission is broke apart and the problem resolved, or more damage might ensue.
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Attex Bob

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:44 pm:   

Argo: I have an 83, and I think they have the same tranny. There is no need to buy a new tranny. They are very simple inside. First, does it seem to shift into reverse? In other words, does the linkage move? If it does, the first thing I would look at would be the detent pin. I rebuilt mine about 2 years ago and if I remember right if a pin is missing it will not move the gear cluster that puts it in reverse. You will have to take the side case off to take a look. Just make sure all bearing shims stay in place. I'm sorry I can't be more help but it's been a long 2 years!!!! Just take the side cover off and I bet you will see what is wrong. Let us know what you find.
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Argo

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:44 pm:   

Thanks for the responses. I have been relying on a local lawn mower mechanic to get the rest of my rig running. The 16hp Tecumseh runs, but I have several problems that I just don't understand. First, the transmission problem (reverse) as described above. Once I get the cover off and if I discover it is a bad gear, where can I get a replacement if needed? Second, the mechanic said that he had to work on the drive unit (the round thing on the engine that drives the belt to the transmission). He said he had it apart and "fixed" it. He has never worked on Argos before, obviously. When I lower the RPMs on the motor I cannot shift gears the way I am supposed to be able to. I cannot find any type of braking mechanism that would slow things down enough to shift gears. Am I correct in assuming that the drive gear may be in need of expert repair? When I watch it I see that the higher the RPMs the narrower the 'slot' becomes which would appear to be normal. However, it doesn't ever seem to idle down to a point where it isn't turning the transmission (unless the transmission is in neutral). Am I dealing with 2 different major problems? Any idea where I go from here? I would love to talk to someone that has worked on these older units. If this is possible, please email me your phone number at ferret@iowatelecom.net. I truly appreciate this website and hope I can resolve my problem. I have a lot of money into this thing now, and I am so close to having a working unit that I could just about cry. Any help would be sincerely appreciated.
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Another Rider (Another_rider)

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:44 pm:   

Firstly, and I may be way off base here. To 'shift gears' as you state, the vehicle must be stopped, and idled down. You cannot shift on the fly from Low to High.

Secondly, if it 'sounds' as if the motor is idled down properly, the belt should be still, maybe engaging just a tad intermittingly at worst. If at idle the belt appears to be engaging hard, then
a) The idle is too high
b) Wrong size belt on unit
c) Clutch on trans is frozen/weak

Probably b) the belt issue.

Your lawn mower guy should know this, it's the same type belt drive on a riding mower, the engagement is done mechanically with your foot and clutch, as opposed to engine revolutions.

As for the tranny issue, check the simplest things first, as mentioned in the previous posts,
as Attex Bob pointed out....watch out for the shims! But the tran is relatively simple.

Unrelated to your issues above;
A quick note on your clutch on tranny because of the units age. Take a good look at the nylon buttons, if you are going to pull the trans, you might as well have the buttons replaced if badly worn at the same time.
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roadwolf

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:44 pm:   

argo, so you got alot of money into it. good. it is still alot cheaper than a new machine. you have come this far. alot of the older 6x6's came with 7/8 to 15/16 " wide belts this helps in the idling down in order to shift your tranny.
if this still doesn't help david berger has some pics of a terra jet clutch brake. you are just a newbee so you couldn't have known.
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Dean Brittenham (Argoferret)

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:44 pm:   

Hello. The resolution was it was a combination of problems . I ended up taking it into my Argo dealer (best thing I could have done) since the tranny was removed anyway and easy to transport. It turns out that the bar that the shifter moves had collected surface rust which was inhibiting movement into reverse. The reverse gear was worn anyway, so I had him replace this gear and all the bearings/seals at the same time. Everything else was perfect inside, and the total charge only came to $240.00!!!!! The tranny now shifts smoothly. Also, I found out that the clutch was bad, so I replaced that and put on a correct size belt. So, all three things were keeping it from properly shifting.

THANKS!!!!
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Dean Brittenham (Argoferret)

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:44 pm:   

Hello. The resolution was it was a combination of problems . I ended up taking it into my Argo dealer (best thing I could have done) since the tranny was removed anyway and easy to transport. It turns out that the bar that the shifter moves had collected surface rust which was inhibiting movement into reverse. The reverse gear was worn anyway, so I had him replace this gear and all the bearings/seals at the same time. Everything else was perfect inside, and the total charge only came to $240.00!!!!! The tranny now shifts smoothly. Also, I found out that the clutch was bad, so I replaced that and put on a correct size belt. So, all three things were keeping it from properly shifting.

THANKS!!!!
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argogeru

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:44 pm:   

dean,
You got out of it real good with price. glad to see you are back on the trail. I use synthetic gear lube in my trannys and it does make a difference with performance and especially noise.
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mike martindale (Wetsu)

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:44 pm:   

geru, iwas cruising around thru the archives,the other day and came across post about tranny's,and tires and what not. they were talking about an additive for a trans.ithought it was rti.but now i can't find it. or was that for the tire??? iv 've read till my eyes bled.it is supposed to help with noise, and shifting. available at most auto parts stores. i am using a synthetic oil now but i still get alot whining out of the trans.and as for the tires they where talking about a sealer you pu ton the beads, just before you seat them. the gray matter ain't as good as it used to be,so having a senior moment, can you pointme in the right direction.
mike
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mike martindale (Wetsu)

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:44 pm:   

geru, if you get this message first,disregard the last. i found the answer in of all places driving in water post. go figur.
mike
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argogeru

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:44 pm:   

glad you found it.
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norm howard

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:44 pm:   

I have a 1980 argo 6x6 serial # t-4326 / trans serial # 7109 J. I hear a lot of talk about high & low range forward gears, mine only seems to have forward,neutral & reverse.Am I missing something here. thanks in advance to anyone that responds.

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