Trouble fitting bar and chain on a Stihl MS460

[Jorge Ortega]

Hi guys,

I need some help here...I rebuilt an MS460 and overall it's running great. I never mounted a bar and chain previously because the bar stud threads were pretty beat up but they have been rethreaded with a die and now the bar nuts go on smooth. When it came time to put a bar and chain on I can't seem to fit it onto the saw as elementary as that sounds. It's a brand new Stihl 20 inch bar and chain combo but the chain appears to be a tad too short. The tensioner is at the most loose setting. I don't want to force anything on but I've never had this problem before. I'm thinking something is wrong with the tensioner system?? I posted some pics so you guys can get a better idea. Am I doing something totally wrong or what?

 

[user 122190]

Looks okay to me. Get the chain to fit by moving the bar at an angle to the saw. The chain will slip over the drive sprocket and the bar will then slip over the studs.

 

[Ryan'smilling]

Fit it around the sprocket on the saw first, then the end of the bar, THEN, move the bar forward and drop it onto the tensioner.

Not trying to be a di©k here, but a 460 is not a beginner saw. Once you get a bar on there, do you know what you're doing with that thing?

 

[Jorge Ortega]

Thanks for the replies guys, I hope I know what I'm doing once I actually do get a bar on there

Although I just can't seem to get it to fit. Here are more images that I hope show what I mean, it's almost as if there is not enough clearance. If I try to wiggle, or come in at an angle, or drop it any which way the bar studs do not align, the tensioner does not align, both, or one of the bar studs is off the bar. It also starts getting insanely tight if I try to force it down. In one of the images where I'm holding the bar from the top and just letting the chain fall the part of the chain that hangs of the bar does not look like it will have enough clearance to go over the sprocket. I'm almost tempted to go back to my stihl dealer and ask for a different chain.

Only reason I'm so puzzled is because I just took the bar and chain right out of the box this morning...

 

[dmb2613]

count 5the4 links should be 72 may have been wrong chain in box

 

[Jorge Ortega]

count 5the4 links should be 72 may have been wrong chain in box

Thanks, I'll try that

 

[rupedoggy]

Did you count the drive links just for a check? All your pictures show the drive links out of the bar groove or out of the drive sprocket. Get them down in there and get it on. It may be tight at first but will stretch and loosen quickly when in use.
Was typing while you responded.

 

[Jorge Ortega]

Counted 70 drive links not 72! The plot thickens...heading back to the dealer.

 

[rupedoggy]

Well there you go

 

[benjo75]

Chain is too short. Get the proper chain or get the dealer to add 2 links.

 

[rupedoggy]

Does seem amazing that the first thing some do is go to the internet for help. They don't try to figure it out with common sense or call the dealer or go to the dealer first.

 

[Del_]

Counted 70 drive links not 72! The plot thickens...heading back to the dealer.

How did the rest of the rebuild go?

 

[Jorge Ortega]

Thanks for all the help guys, truly. I figured since this saw was practically a full rebuild I wouldn't have been surprised if something else was wrong with it instead of something simple as the wrong chain in the box.



The dealer swapped out the chain for me and she's running like a dream.

 

[HarleyT]

I would hate to think a dealer would add 2 links...

 

[L34]

I have learnt never ever ever trust what is written on something.

 

[benjo75]

The Stihl shops around here will add links or take links out. If it's a premade chain they might not but most of the shops here make their own chain from spools. And I have seen mistakes through the years. I bought one one time that was put together inside out. I learned how to turn a chain inside out when I was little so it wasn't a problem but I did let him know and I really don't think he believed me that it was put together wrong. He made them himself. I make my own chains for my bigger saws now so I don't have to buy them anymore but I don't go through enough chains for the top handles for it to pay off yet. But I'm considering buying a roll anyway.

 

[Ryan'smilling]

The Stihl shops around here will add links or take links out. If it's a premade chain they might not but most of the shops here make their own chain from spools. And I have seen mistakes through the years. I bought one one time that was put together inside out. I learned how to turn a chain inside out when I was little so it wasn't a problem but I did let him know and I really don't think he believed me that it was put together wrong. He made them himself. I make my own chains for my bigger saws now so I don't have to buy them anymore but I don't go through enough chains for the top handles for it to pay off yet. But I'm considering buying a roll anyway.

You should try a loop of Archer chain. It's not life changing or anything, but it's cheap and does the job. If you like it, they sell 25' and 100' reels really reasonably on eBay.

 

[Plowmaster]

The Stihl shops around here will add links or take links out. If it's a premade chain they might not but most of the shops here make their own chain from spools. And I have seen mistakes through the years. I bought one one time that was put together inside out. I learned how to turn a chain inside out when I was little so it wasn't a problem but I did let him know and I really don't think he believed me that it was put together wrong. He made them himself. I make my own chains for my bigger saws now so I don't have to buy them anymore but I don't go through enough chains for the top handles for it to pay off yet. But I'm considering buying a roll anyway.

WTF?... U cannot flip a chain..

 

[benjo75]

Sure can. I learned it when I was young. I'll make a video on a little bit and put a link here. I've not met anyone else that can. It actually happens faster that you can see but I can flip it in about one second. The faster you do it the easier it is. A new chain is obviously kinda stiff but it still works. It works best on a used chain.

 

[HarleyT]

Not many people in their right mind would add 2 links to a 70- link chain to make it into a 72 link one.