Help with info on chains

[Disabledsportsman]

Hello fellow mud rats, I would like to know if anyone can tell me if someone has ever soda blasted the chains to try and salvage them instead of scrapping them out and buying new chain.also I need to know what size chain tha Max IV uses??.any info would be greatly appreciated and very much helpful. Thanks you everyone, and God Bless...

Jerry

[martin_andy25]

My 1996 max IV uses 530 o-ring chain. I haven't ever had to change mine out, I've had to replace a master link buts that's it.

[jeffery9076]

Just replace. The time you will have taking apart and putting back together$$$$$. And they will still be worn out. If o-ring chain you will blast the rings off

[Dan67]

Its cheaper and easier to just replace the chains as they wear out. Stretched chains will also wear out the sprockets.

[Disabledsportsman]

Ok guy's, you gave me some good reasons to just replace the chains instead of trying to soda blast the old grease and rust off the used chain. My next question is, Is there a way to tell what size and type of chain is on my MaxIV???. Is there a stamping on the chain link some where,Or is there some way of measuring the links to tell you what size the chain is???. Thanks again,for the help,And I hope everyone that celebrates Easter Sunday have a wonderful Easter Holiday,and may God Bless you all.

Jerry

[msafi65]

The max 4 can run standard # 50 chain or # 530 Oring chain without changing tensioners or sprockets. The main transmission chains are 52 pins long. Rear to center axle is 116 pins. Center to front is 122 pins. If your chain has a small gap between the side plate and the link it's Oring chain. I recommend that you at least run # 530 on rear mains. MFG supply has a good price on # 530 chain. I use tsubaki rc50 for standard chain. Most IVs have had Oring chain since about 1999. If clean and lubed the Oring chain has a much longer life than standard roller chain and requires less adjustment. Hope this helps out.

[martin_andy25]

Jerry,
It should be stamped on your master links

[philipatmaxfour]

I think chain is measured in eigths of an inch pin center to pin center. ie: 50 or 530 "O" ring chain is 5/8"

[tattooman]

The max 4 can run standard # 50 chain or # 530 Oring chain without changing tensioners or sprockets. The main transmission chains are 52 pins long. Rear to center axle is 116 pins. Center to front is 122 pins. If your chain has a small gap between the side plate and the link it's Oring chain. I recommend that you at least run # 530 on rear mains. MFG supply has a good price on # 530 chain. I use tsubaki rc50 for standard chain. Most IVs have had Oring chain since about 1999. If clean and lubed the Oring chain has a much longer life than standard roller chain and requires less adjustment. Hope this helps out.

So if the max 4 had 0 ring chain in 99, I assume the same hold true for the Maxll?

[amphibious drew]

So if the max 4 had 0 ring chain in 99, I assume the same hold true for the Maxll?

Not necessarily. I believe it was an option, but not standard. However 530 and #50 are interchangeable so if you want to upgrade, you can.

[msafi65]

The II with Oring chain runs #520 on the wheel chains. It's the same width as #50 and fits the tensioners. It requires narrower sprockets. I was told by the factory when they made the change they had clearance issues with the drop chains and wheel chains , thus going to the narrower 520 for extra room. The IV has different tensioners and more room on center sprockets so 530 is a direct replacement for #50.

[tattooman]

Thanks guys, things are very clear now! At least I am confident about what chain size to order.