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SECTION 7
MAINTENANCE INFORMATION
Figure 7-11. Chain slack required before the tensioner will
progress to the next step.
The tensioner cannot progress to the next step until there is
enough slack in the chain. With the wheels raised off the
ground, check if the chain slack exceeds 2.5 inches. If it does,
then reach under the slider block assembly and pull up.
Check for proper chain tensioner operation every 10
hours of vehicle operation.
Each chain tensioner has a single nylon slider block. Inspect
the nylon slider blocks for wear after the first 100 hours and
every 50 hours thereafter. Replace the blocks (ARGO Part No.
603-61) when the wear groove, as shown in Figure 7-10, meas-
ures 1/4" (6mm).
To Replace a Slider Block:
1. Remove the floor pans.
2. Turn the tensioner cam assembly in the direction which
winds up the torsion spring and push the assembly down
as close as possible to the cam follower block across the
bottom of the frame channels. Clamp it in this position
with a Vice-Grip 10CR or similar plier as illustrated in Figure
7-6 and remove the drive chain.
3. With pliers, pry the slider block off the cam assembly as
illustrated in Figure 7-13.
4. Place a new slider block over the shaft of the cam assem-
bly.
5. Using a piece of wood (or similar material) pressed against
the top of the slider block, carefully hammer the piece of
wood so the slider block snaps onto the cam assembly
shaft as shown in Figure 7-14.
6. Re-install the drive chain and remove the locking pliers
securing the cam assembly in its lowest position.
7. Pull up on the cam assembly to allow it to take up as much
chain slack as possible.
8. Replace the floor pans.
Figure 7-13. Prying the Slider Block
off the Cam Assembly.
Figure 7-14. Hammering Slider Block into place.
7.2.5 IDLER CHAIN
All ARGO vehicles are equipped with 2 idler chains to transfer
power from the output shafts of the transmission to the drive
chains through a series of sprockets. They are located on
each side of the transmission.
A loose or improperly adjusted idler chain can result in dam-
age to the chain or sprockets. During the new vehicle break-
in period, check the idler chain adjustment before operating
the vehicle and after the first 2 hours of operation. After the
initial break-in period, check the idler chain adjustment every
50 hours. An indication of loose idler chains is a loud banging
noise when the vehicle is turned.