By Rem 721 on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I just looked at a ’95 Max IV for sale. A portion of the bottom tub above the left side center wheel was gooped with silicone sealant. I found a crack in the HDPE near the sealant that appeared to have shown up after the silicone sealant was applied. I don’t know what happened to cause the cracking. Does anyone know if the welding or melting of the HDPE with filler process lasts long. I am wondering once there is an existing crack in the material and the above method is used to repair, will the crack continue or grow due to flex and stress in the plastic from bouncing? What does a new tub for a Max IV sell for if anyone knows? (just in case)

By david berger (Davidrrrd) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

WOULD BE NICE IF SELLER COULD ELABORATE SOME AS TOO HOW CRACK WAS MADE, EXAMPLE A ROLLOVER DOWN A LONG STEEP HILL ECT... ECT..
THEN WE COULD BE CERTIN THAT WELDING THE HDPE WOULD STOP THE SPREAD OF THE CRACK, AT LEAST AS LONG AS IT STAYS WHEELS DOWN AT LEAST, THE SILICONE DID NOTHING TO STOP SPREAD OF CRACK , JUST KEPT WATER FROM GETTIN IN THERE.
YOU MAY ALSO WISH TO POP RIVET SOME SORT OF BACKING AFTER THE WELDING TO COMPLEATLY ARREST THE FLEX IN THAT LOKAL, POSABLY A PIECE OF HULL THICKNES HDPE OR MAYBE SOME ALUMINUM OR SOMTHING,

By Rem 721 on Unrecorded Date: Edit

David,thanks for your thoughts and opinions. I too wished the seller would have elaborated however he did not know it was cracked or even siliconed, so he stated. That I found hard to believe but I accepted that with "caution". He was the second owner and never took it for a swim so he really may have not known. When I pointed out the crack to him he suggested that maybe a rock or something else had lodged between the tire and the plastic above the tire. Well, I'll never know for sure. I gave him a low ball offer because of it and he is contemplating my offer.

By Fred Sowerwine, Montana's Max Dealer (Fred4dot) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Rem 721, My guess is that good plastic welding will stop the crack and be as good (or better) than original. Could always be redone. My experience is limited, and time will be the test. A new max IV lower body lists for $781.15 plus freight. I agree with David that a pop riveted piece over or under the repaired area will guarantee success.

The machine having solid axles, the big outer bearings and the 26" tire option are much more important than the small body crack that high on the body.