MS261 v2

[outonalimb]

Curious to know if anyone has had problems (or has seen reports of problems) with the clutch needle bearing/crankshaft wear on the latest (v2) version of the MS261CM ?

This problem seems to plagued previous versions of this saw (I do know it didn't affect all saws)  but I've not found any reports for the newest version. 

[Stretchsaws]

I've had to put new cranks in 4 of the earlier ones under warranty. Lately I've had a few of the newer (2015/16) with destroyed bearing cages, however the cranks were not worn.

Edited November 16, 2017 by Stretchsaws

[outonalimb]

Thanks,  none of these were the new clutch cover versions ?

[Harry_L]

Ive had mine for 3 months and use it 4 days a week and so far nothing is wrong with it [emoji106]

[Stretchsaws]

No, they had the older style flat cover.

[Bob_z_l]

No probs here...

Got a 2015 261CM with no issues.
Always careful to take tension out of the chain after use as the manual says.

 

Bob

 

[outonalimb]

Thanks for all replies, just thinking about getting a new one.

[JamesNYorkshire]

(First post here guys) I've got a 2016 MS261 with the new style (not flat) clutch cover, early on I had a few needle bearings disintegrate and it would throw the e clip and washer, however after switching to a spur sprocket from the rim sprocket it was supplied with I've not had any problem with this at all.

 

James

[outonalimb]

Very surprised that this clutch drum problem would show up on the new model after all the ongoing publicity for this fault. The needle bearing itself is common to many other stihls none of whom seem to have this trouble.   One of the original theories was that the drums were not perfectly round in some cases causing the early failure of the bearing (your saw sounds suspiciously like this) . It seems rediculous that you have had to resort to a technically inferior drum to resolve this issue.

Edited November 19, 2017 by outonalimb

[spudulike]

I have a theory that the bearing should be 1.5mm longer - just my thoughts