560 chainbrake doesn't work???

[flatyre]

Hey folks the chain brake on my 560 has stopped working, the brake band isn't broken, checked the mechanism and all looks ok, but still no chain brake. The oiler worm wore out recently and it had been heating up because of it, not sure if this is connected in any way? but any ideas on how to fix it?

[spudulike]

Strip it down, inspect each part, replace the damaged/worn parts and all should work.....surely???

[MattyF]

One of mine is a bit hit n miss , recently swapped clutch covers over and it’s improved it but I’m thinking I have not put the break handle back together properly one time after replacing it...

[Sveriges]

If the brake mechanism is fine and band is ok Make sure you have the bushes in the correct way round. Check the Wear on the crankcase. There is a tiny shim that acts as a wear protector. Don’t loose it as it’s not available as a spare! 

[flatyre]

thanks for the replies folks, but I haven't been working on it, it just stopped working???

[Stretchsaws]

There are many highly skilled and knowledgable people on this forum who can help with any number of problems, but at the end of the day, you're the one with the actual chainsaw that has a problem. So it boils down to hands and eyes...take it apart and look at it. How does the chain brake function? A band, essentially a big spring, tenses and relaxes, gripping or releasing a clutch drum. So either there's not enough gripping going on or none at all. Check all parts of the system, for wear and contamination, or if any are missing! Swap the side cover or drum with a known good one if you can beg or borrow (not steal) one.

[adw]

The knee link chain brake is very reliable and has few moving parts, if the band is not tight enough around the drum i am guessing it is broken up where it hooks into the knee link, you will need to remove the spring cover to see this, be careful there is a fair expansion spring under the cover .

[spudulike]

Yup, anyone who has seen Alien will have experienced how one of those springs goes when they pop out and fly across your workshop.

On a serious note - wear safety specs for obvious reasons! I am sure the next question will be about getting the spring back in

[adw]

1. Half the battle is holding the brake cover to get a decent push on the spring, i always suggest taking a couple of 8mm bolts, clamp the heads of the bolts in a vice, space them the same distance as the holes in the brake cover place the cover onto the up standing bolts ( you will be to remove the captive nuts ) band side up and secure with a couple of suitable nuts, now the cover is secure you can use a pair of long nose pliers into the end of the spring to push it home, or make yourself a tool that will fit into the spring with a t handle, please do no use a screw driver it will end in disaster if it slips out of the spring.

[billpierce]

1. Half the battle is holding the brake cover to get a decent push on the spring, i always suggest taking a couple of 8mm bolts, clamp the heads of the bolts in a vice, space them the same distance as the holes in the brake cover place the cover onto the up standing bolts ( you will be to remove the captive nuts ) band side up and secure with a couple of suitable nuts, now the cover is secure you can use a pair of long nose pliers into the end of the spring to push it home, or make yourself a tool that will fit into the spring with a t handle, please do no use a screw driver it will end in disaster if it slips out of the spring.

Sounds sensible.

I usually just swear and fire stuff around the workshop for a bit