Crap... Just found out all mY chains are all toast.

[MAmudslinger]

ughhhh what a mess.. I decided to switch the chain from the idler sprockets in the middle of my 1995 max IV, from going over the sprocket to going under it. There is no way that will work.... The chain hits the bottom floor and rests on the middle axle. WTF. The person before me was using this 6x6 with extremely worn chains. I wonder if all the sprockets are all junk too. There's no way I can change all the chains and axle sprockets on this. Not to mention the cost associated with new chains and sprockets.. How can I tell if the sprockets are all toast. I'm over this.

MaMudslinger

[Rusty-Gunn]

Remove the chains to best inspect the sprockets. If the sproket teeth look "shark fin" then they are probably toast. Snowmobile Parts, Go Kart Parts, Lawnmower Parts, ATV Parts, and more | MFG Supply has O-ring chain for less price than Tsubaki chain but the same strength.

[MAmudslinger]

Should you buy reg 530 o ring of the gold one. Thanks for the info Rusty-gun

MAMudslinger

[Mike]

I would first make sure the chain is the right length. the previous owner could have simply installed the chains that way and it may have required them to be longer. Count the pins. There are several threads here in the max forum that will tell you the correct pin count.

[MAmudslinger]

Well the middle sprockets are toast. The inside sprocket is shark fined, whil the outside on is not. Both the back and fronts sprockets look ok. Might as well do the middle bearings and seals while I have to rip everything apart. Hopefully that won't be too bad to do.

[MAmudslinger]

I just took the pass side center to front, and counted the pin and it was 120. That does not include the master link. So my chain is super stretched... It's 64.5 inches long, not including the master link.... How long should it be unstrenched?

[Rusty-Gunn]

Primary transmission chains are 52, with link.
Front to center are 122, with link.
Center to rear are 116, with link.
I don't know each of the original lengths.
If the chain tension adjusters are bottomed out then I suggest the chains are stretched beyound use.

[thebuggyman1]

If you want a proper length of chain, #50 or #530 is by definition .625" per pin. The "5" in the # stands for 5/8 of an inch.
However it is too tough to measure chain and determine if it is stretched. If in doubt, replace it. Worn sprockets will also make your chain seem too long. If in doubt, replace them too. It will save much aggravation in the future.

[Rusty-Gunn]

Regarding measuring a chain, the thing I did was compare a new 52 pin chain along side the old one. The old one was indeed stretched. Actual amount I have no idea. The chain adjuster still had space to take up slack, so it wasn't too bad yet. I am saving it as a spare.
My opinion, once the tensioner runs out of adjustment then its time to toss out the chain.

[MAmudslinger]

Well looks like I am buying new chains all around and replacing the middle double sprockets and idler sprockets and bearings and seals. Ohh happy days. All on a machine I haven't driven.... Oh well. Thanks for the info...

MAMudslinger

[Rusty-Gunn]

Well looks like I am buying new chains all around and replacing the middle double sprockets and idler sprockets and bearings and seals. Ohh happy days. All on a machine I haven't driven.... Oh well. Thanks for the info...

MAMudslinger

Thats the bad news. The good news is you'll have an awesome machine to enjoy once the work is done. It better to take care of it now than break down out in the field and ruin your day.

[MAmudslinger]

Took the max IV out for the first time, since I have owned it for the past 2 years. It was a blast driving it around the yard.