hey guys i got a few probs. i just bought a brand new renthal z ring 520 sealed chain. i was on 3rd ride out and it broke!! i was comin to a road so i was decelerating or down shifting and she broke.
any ideas on wut to check on the quad to make sure nothing is not hurting the chain. because even i know a new chain should not break

 

ooo and the chain did not break at the link or the pins. it just broke in half

 

I would check the case around the front sprocket and guide roller to make sure the chain didn't crack anything. Did you replace the chain and sprockets together, or put a new chain on old sprockets? Sprockets and chains wear together as a unit. Putting a new chain on worn sprockets can cause issues.

 

ya i left the stock sprocket on there. all i changed was the chain. so maybe i will look into new sprocket. i did check the guide rails and gard it all looked fine and moved smoothley!!

 

Did you leave enough slack when you installed it?

I've seen lots of chains that are too tight. That can put a lot of stress on the chain. IMO you're better off having it a little too loose than a little too tight.

 

I would have to agree with rapple. Happened to me about 2 months ago. Adjusted the slack a little to much and pop... broke right away.

 

I came up with a good way to see how much slop you need in your chain. I have an 87 250X (same as a 300EX). First, I loosened the chain as loose as I could Then I took a ratchet strap and wraped it around the frame near the rear grab bar and kind of both sides of the axle so I was pulling evenly on the axle. Then I sat on the rear while tightening the strap. I tightened it as far as it would go, almost totally compressing the shock. Then I tightened the chain until just snug. Then I undid the strap and measured the slop. Well, after all that work, it was EXACTLY what the manual said it should be. lol. Sheesh. I guess you should trust the manual. But hey, it was fun.