Snapped chain brake band?

[spandit]

My chain brake stopped working today on my Stihl MS181 - just wondering whether I'm likely to have worn through the band as I tend to use it quite a lot (idles a bit fast and chain doesn't always stop)?

 

They're quite cheap on eBay and I imagine not difficult to replace but is this a common failure?

[C.J]

Could be just the control spring.Just done one on a MS170 whose owner was using the chainbrake rather than adjusting the idle screw.

[spandit]

Could be just the control spring.Just done one on a MS170 whose owner was using the chainbrake rather than adjusting the idle screw.

 

Which control spring?

[C.J]

The one that applies the chain brake band.

[spudulike]

It is possible it is the band but you aren't talking about a saw with loads of power so it should have lasted a fair while.

 

The spring is the big one under the plastic brake mechanism cover - very rare for those to go!

[Stubby]

Could be just the control spring.Just done one on a MS170 whose owner was using the chainbrake rather than adjusting the idle screw.

 

Subtle

[spandit]

I've ordered a new band anyway - I'll take it apart when I get a moment. Busy planting trees and sorting the willow I coppiced this morning (processing it with a billhook and bowsaw). Will adjust the idle screws too!

[aitch]

I managed it ok although I had to drill out the pin that had snapped and replace that too. I found a good post on here that helped.

[spandit]

Well, new band arrived and after taking the chainsaw apart, discovered it was indeed the spring that had snapped! Doh! Not to worry, it's not my livelihood...