Drive chain question

[acharrette]

argo2 006.jpgargo2 007.jpg

These are my chains, probably a dumb question but way too loose? Streched too far? cuz it seems like they slap when im bouncing around in the woods. Take out a link? Time for new chains? They are all about same amount of slack except the 2 off the trans. those are tight. Still new to these machines, so trying to learn as much about them as I can.

[Mike]

Those look pretty stretched to me. They look like they are close to hitting that cross support. Don't take a link out, it will ruin your sprockets if you run it like that for long. I would just replace the chains if I were you.

[acharrette]

Is it something that HAS to be done or still driveable? it looks like they have bounced off the cross support allready. Im guessing I should just replace chains, but just bought the machine and dont want to dump tons of $$$ right away... should I just not be a cheap ass and replace them? what kind of damage will happen if I run the chains like this? Where do I get these chains?

[Mike]

The longer you run them stretched like that, the better chance you have of ruining your sprockets. It is still drivable, but I wouldn't let it go. I would just replace them. There are a lot of threads on where to buy chain, and what kind to buy. Search the site and you will find the discussions that list several options. Basically, you don't want to buy a cheap brand of chain because it will stretch much faster than a quality chain, and you will be back in the same situation you are in now. Good chain is not cheap though, especially the double chain like you have. For places to purchase, that will also be covered by searching the site, but any local bearing supply house could get you the chain you want. Again, don't buy cheap chain, as tempting as it is, you will be kicking yourself down the road.

[acharrette]

ok, so here is a silly question... the chain is streched out a tiny bit per link correct? (causing it to be loose) So If I get a chain with the same amount of links (but brand new) should be tight again??? Because there are no adjustments unlike motorcycle chains.

[Roger S]

There's a couple other things you can do after you buy good quality chain. Have you noticed the way the chain tensioners are "warped" and not flat.. they get that way over time 'cause the spring is only pulling on one side. you can disassemble them and move swap the forks top for bottom. Don't turn them over, flip the plastic pads over instead. Then they will be "warped" in the other direction, which will make them lay flat on the chain with spring tension.

The other thing you can do is make some plastic/nylon/poly pads and mount them on the frame areas where the chain rubs them.

[acharrette]

What my first thought was, why isnt there a spring on both sides? Can I just add a spring on the other side to "even it out"? But long story short need new chains... sucks, cuz I thought I got a good deal, but I just bought this guys problems...

[acharrette]

Getting prices all over the board for this chain. McMaster-Carr $48FT! Moorse Chain $19FT. Brand "x" the guy didnt couldnt even tell me the name of it was $6 FT. Local store, Fastenall can get it for $4 FT, but again its a "no name" brand. Thought chain would be somewhat standard... guess not. What should I do?

[sieg]

$48 from mcmaster? you gotta be looking at the wrong chain. I just looked in the book and standard double strand 50 chain is $11.25/ ft. mcmaster is where i buy all my chain, but try looking around on ebay for a better deal if you want to save a few $$$$

[gearhead1937]

$48/ft was for the stainless steel. You shouldn't need anything that fancy.

[acharrette]

sprockets 002.jpgsprockets 001.jpgsprockets 003.jpg

So Im still searching local stores to find this chain at a resonable price, but these are my sprockets. Look good to me, but I dont know what I am looking at. What do you guys think..? Sprockets ok?

[Mike]

Those look fine. If they were worn, you would start to see a slight hook in the teeth. There would be more wear on the side of the teeth that pulls (or is pulled by) the chain.

[Roger S]

You will have a hard time adding a spring on the tensioners, the frame will hit them.

Some guys have sugested Motion industries for chain, don't know about double 50..

Search this site, there's a lot about chain brands and sources. I havn't found good chain for under $10 a foot retail. Use E bay and chain as search words.

[acharrette]

Thanks for all the input. Still searching around. "oveseas" chain for $4 ft and quality usa morse chain $19ft. Gonna search ebay for deals. Im not the kinda guy who likes paying full "retail" or "the poke" price for stuff. Been in the car industry for a while and see what "retail" is compared to cost and wholesale... Im going to run the argo for a couple weeks before replacing chains, but still going to be searching for deals. If anyone runs across a deal on ebay or craigslist or even a going out of buisness sale, let me know. Thanks!

[Planter Bob]

I replaced 32' of 50-2 chain on my mid-80's Argo I/C for under $170, and that was shipped to my door here in Alaska. Japanese chain are your best bet.

Check out my post for the details.

By the way...those chains are stretched big time, and you'll trash your sprockets and your ears. Taking out a link is never an option. This is NOT a big job, nor a big expenditure. Judging by your pic, those are 50-2 chains. Take one off and measure it. The distance between pins is 5/8". Count the pins and do the multiplication, and you'll see just how badly stretched those are.

You have a good rig there, and chains are the soul of any Argo.

Planter Bob