Missing chain tensioner and band-aid fix.

[bluegoatwoods]

Going to work yesterday I thought that my pedal drive felt just a bit strange.

So I came out during the day to adjust my rear wheel. I found that the chain tensioner roller was completely missing. No sign of it. After thinking about it for a bit, I came up with a decent substitute.



It's a machine screw. I didn't even bother to check size or length. I suppose it was an inch and a half or so. Double-nutted to the chain tensioner bracket.

Then on the chain side I filled the shaft of the screw with washers that fit loosely on the screw. They'd do the same thing as a roller would. Double-nutted the end to hold them on.



I only had to go about 12 miles before I could get my spare roller on there. But it worked so well that I think I could have ridden indefinitely.

 

[maniac57]

I have a customer who replaced his with washers and a sleeve. Does not spin at all, the chain just slides over it and it's been working perfectly for over a year. Loud but functional.

 

[2door]

I've seen many non-rotating tensioners in industrial applications. Just keep it well lubricated and not too much chain tension and they work well. I've seen them made of steel, brass and plastic/nylon/teflon.

Tom

 

[bairdco]

people still use chain tensioners?

 

[crassius]

most important job of tensioner is to make the section from tensioner to rear sprocket perfectly centered