Chain slap question

[smudvapor]

My wife's Attex has some real bad chain slap on the left side when she turns (chain going from the trans to the rear of the machine). I have tried to tighten the chain up but if I take a link out or try to reconnect with a half link the chain is too short, even with the tool to reconnect and with all of the tensioners loose. I have tried to tighten up the chain going from the trans to the front of the machine and I have run into the same problem. My problem with this chain is that it rides against the support between the frame rails Picture). Any suggestions?

[ARGOJIM]

Looking at that picture the bearing looks bad in the idler, it is sitting off center of the bolt and in a bind in the chain.

[smudvapor]

Doesn't matter. The idler is at it's lowest point. Even with a new one the chain is still too loose.

[Model Citizen]

[amphibious drew]

Bridget and Jim make excellent points. Something is wrong with the idler. Either the bearing is shot or it's not the right size id for the bolt. It is clearly crooked in the pic though. Also, did you buy new chain for it? Old chain can stretch to where it can't be tightened even using half links. New chain can be very difficult to put on sometimes even with the adjusters off. I use heavy duty zip ties to help connect chain.

[smudvapor]

Bridget and Jim make excellent points. Something is wrong with the idler. Either the bearing is shot or it's not the right size id for the bolt. It is clearly crooked in the pic though. Also, did you buy new chain for it? Old chain can stretch to where it can't be tightened even using half links. New chain can be very difficult to put on sometimes even with the adjusters off. I use heavy duty zip ties to help connect chain.

I am going with new chain. Everyone won't give the idler thing a rest. I know that it is misaligned but even when I put a new one on it is not going to make any difference if the chain is too long. Sometimes posting a question on line just ends up frustrating me more. It is difficult sometimes trying to get people to really understand what you are talking about. They get fixed on one thing and can't get past it. Really? Do I have to put a new idler sprocket on the thing just to show everyone that it still is not working the correct way???

[rodp]

I am going with new chain. Everyone won't give the idler thing a rest. I know that it is misaligned but even when I put a new one on it is not going to make any difference if the chain is too long. Sometimes posting a question on line just ends up frustrating me more. It is difficult sometimes trying to get people to really understand what you are talking about. They get fixed on one thing and can't get past it. Really? Do I have to put a new idler sprocket on the thing just to show everyone that it still is not working the correct way???

yep !!!
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Sorry, couldn't resist it

[amphibious drew]

Put the idler on under it and push up if it fits. Maybe that will put some tension on her.

[ARGOJIM]

The idler looks to large to be able to put under the chain, which is what I would have suggested. Currently the idler, if on the rear looks in proper orientation. So if your having problems running out of adjustment, a chain it must be.
It is hard for us to assist in correcting a problem without being there to see it and from the picture we can all see the alignment issue, however while we can imagine it, cannot see how close it is to the frame support or how tight the chain is.
Sorry if we frustrated you more by seeing what we see.

[john swenson]

smudvapor, here is a possibility that may work fine. measure the o.d. of the round tube between the frame rails that the chain is rubbing. maybe if you got a 2 piece shaft coupler for that tube, weld a good piece of flat bar to one half of the coupler and on the other end a new bolt that your idler fits on. then clamp that setup on the tube so the idler is between the chain pushing up on the top chain. you can slide the coupler rite or left for alignment and pull it up against the chain for tension. hopefully the idler will fit inbetween the chains and when pulled up for tension won't be hitting the lower chain. if there is not enough space between the two either a smaller idler some type of roller would suffice. the idler of course would be on the side of the tube away from the sprocket. maybe this will help, johnboy va.