Drive chain replacement

[glen1971]

I pulled my front drive chains to remove the chain tensioners that were inadvertantly reinstalled when it was in for a service.. While the chains were out I saw that they were a bit stiff and have some play in the links, so I am opting to replace them. My question is do I make the new ones the same length, as the chain tensioners are no longer installed? I measured them once out and they are about 29"...
It is on a 2007 Avenger EFI with about 135 hours on it..

[Dan67]

Chains stretch as they wear so don't go by length measured in inches, instead count number of chain links. You would be surprised at just how much a chain can stretch. Lay out the old worn out section to a new chain the same number of pin lengths to compare.

[glen1971]

Good point! Thanks! I think the manual calls for a 46 link chain.. I'll post an update once I get the new chain and can compare to the existing one... And while I'm at it, I'll be replacing both chains.. I can only get the chain in a 10' box, so looks like I'll have some spare to throw in the tool box...

[glen1971]

Was rainin out today, so we prepped the one chain for replacement tomorrow.. After counting, recounting and counting again it was 22 links so we popped the one pin out and laid them side by side.. Looks like the old one stretched about half a link.. Not too terrible, I don't think (??), but it's easier to change them out in the garage than in the middle of the bush....

[wrench9]

Half a link in such a short chain is actually a lot . They needed to be changed

[glen1971]

Finally got it done.. Dropped the tracks and it took about 2 hours to change both of the front ones.. WAY easier to work on them without the tracks on... The other side was stretched about a half link too...