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How To Change A Stihl Chainsaw Blade: Step-by-Step
Can you change a Stihl chainsaw blade yourself? Yes, you can change a Stihl chainsaw blade yourself with the right tools and by following these steps.
A sharp, properly tensioned saw chain is vital for efficient and safe chainsaw operation. Over time, even the best Stihl chainsaw chain will dull, and replacing it is a fundamental skill for any homeowner or professional who uses one. This guide will walk you through the process of performing a Stihl chainsaw chain replacement, ensuring your saw is ready to tackle any task. We’ll cover everything from gathering your Stihl chainsaw parts to fine-tuning the tension for optimal Stihl chainsaw cutting performance.
Why Replace Your Chainsaw Chain?
Chainsaws are powerful tools, and their effectiveness hinges on the condition of the chain. Several factors necessitate a chain replacement:
- Dulling: As you cut through wood, the sharp teeth of the chain wear down. A dull chain requires more force to cut, strains the engine, and can lead to kickback, a dangerous sudden upward and backward movement of the guide bar.
- Damage: Chains can become damaged by hitting rocks, metal, or other hard objects. Broken teeth, bent cutters, or damaged drive links can compromise safety and performance.
- Wear and Tear: Even with proper maintenance, chains have a lifespan. Repeated sharpening can thin the cutters, and the drive links can stretch, leading to a worn-out chain that no longer cuts effectively.
- Chain Type: You might want to change your chain to suit different cutting tasks. For example, a ripping chain is designed for cutting along the grain of wood, while a cross-cut chain is better for general-purpose cutting.
Essential Tools and Stihl Chainsaw Parts
Before you begin, gather the necessary tools and Stihl chainsaw parts:
- New Stihl Chainsaw Chain: Ensure you have the correct chain for your specific Stihl chainsaw model. Check your owner’s manual or the side of your guide bar for the chain pitch, gauge, and the number of drive links.
- Stihl Chainsaw Guide Bar: While not always necessary to replace with the chain, it’s good practice to inspect the guide bar during a chain change. Look for signs of wear, like a grooved or uneven track where the chain runs. You may need a new guide bar if the current one is significantly worn or damaged.
- Combination Wrench or Scrench: This is the tool typically supplied with your Stihl chainsaw, used for loosening and tightening the bar nuts and adjusting the chain tension.
- Gloves: To protect your hands from sharp teeth and grease.
- Safety Glasses: Essential for protecting your eyes from flying debris.
- Work Surface: A clean, flat surface to lay out your parts.
- Bar Nut Wrench (optional but helpful): Some prefer a dedicated wrench for the bar nuts.
Step-by-Step Stihl Chainsaw Chain Replacement
Follow these steps carefully to ensure a successful Stihl chainsaw chain replacement:
Step 1: Safety First!
Always ensure the chainsaw is turned off and the engine has cooled completely before you begin any maintenance. It’s also advisable to disconnect the spark plug wire to prevent accidental starting.
Step 2: Locate and Loosen the Bar Nuts
On the side of your chainsaw, you’ll find nuts that secure the guide bar to the saw’s body. These are the bar nuts. Use your combination wrench or scrench to loosen these nuts. You don’t need to remove them entirely, just loosen them enough so the guide bar can move freely.
Step 3: Access the Chain Tensioner
Most Stihl chainsaws feature a chain tensioner that is either accessible from the side or the front of the saw.
- Side-mounted tensioner: You’ll typically see a screw on the side of the powerhead, near the clutch cover.
- Front-mounted tensioner: This type of tensioner is usually located on the front of the saw, near the guide bar.
You’ll use this tensioner to adjust the new chain’s tightness later.
Step 4: Remove the Clutch Cover
The clutch cover, also known as the chain brake cover, is the plastic housing that surrounds the clutch and the guide bar. It’s typically held in place by the bar nuts you just loosened. Once the bar nuts are loose, you should be able to lift or slide the clutch cover off. Be mindful of the chain brake mechanism if your saw has one; it might be attached to the cover.
Step 5: Remove the Old Chain
With the clutch cover off, the guide bar and the old chain are exposed.
- Carefully lift the guide bar away from the saw body.
- Slide the old chain off the guide bar. Pay attention to the direction the chain was running. The cutters should be angled forward, towards the nose of the guide bar, for correct cutting action.
- If the chain is still on the guide bar, you can sometimes lift the guide bar and chain together, then slide the chain off the bar.
Step 6: Inspect the Stihl Chainsaw Guide Bar and Sprocket
This is an excellent time for Stihl chainsaw bar maintenance.
- Guide Bar:
- Check the groove where the chain rides. If it’s worn deep, uneven, or has burrs, it might be time for a new guide bar.
- Look for wear on the edges of the guide bar. If the edges are rounded or heavily grooved, flip the bar over (if it’s reversible) and use the other side. If both sides are worn, replace it.
- Ensure the nose sprocket on the guide bar spins freely. If it’s stiff or seized, it needs to be replaced. You might need a specialized tool to remove and replace the nose sprocket.
- Sprocket:
- Check the clutch sprocket (the toothed wheel that drives the chain) for worn or hooked teeth. If the teeth are significantly worn down or have developed sharp points, replace the sprocket. This often requires a special tool to remove the clutch drum.
Step 7: Fit the New Stihl Chainsaw Chain
- Place the new chain onto the guide bar, ensuring the cutters are facing the correct direction (forward, towards the nose of the guide bar).
- Thread the chain into the groove along the entire length of the guide bar.
- Ensure the drive links of the chain fit into the groove of the guide bar.
Step 8: Mount the Guide Bar and Chain onto the Chainsaw
- Position the guide bar back onto the mounting studs on the chainsaw body.
- Slide the guide bar forward slightly to take up the slack in the chain and ensure the drive links of the chain engage with the clutch sprocket.
Step 9: Reattach the Clutch Cover
Place the clutch cover back over the clutch and guide bar. Make sure it sits correctly on the mounting studs.
Step 10: Secure the Bar Nuts
Thread the bar nuts back onto the mounting studs. Tighten them by hand until they are snug.
Step 11: Adjust the Stihl Chainsaw Chain Tension
This is a crucial step for both safety and Stihl chainsaw cutting performance. Proper tension means the chain should be snug against the bottom of the guide bar but still be able to rotate by hand.
- Check Tension: Wear gloves. Try to spin the chain by hand using the guide bar. It should move, but with some resistance. If it’s too loose, it can derail. If it’s too tight, it will be difficult to turn and will wear out the chain and bar quickly.
- Adjust Tension:
- Locate your Stihl chainsaw chain tensioner. This is usually a screw.
- Turn the tensioner screw clockwise to tighten the chain.
- Turn the tensioner screw counter-clockwise to loosen the chain.
- Make small adjustments, checking the chain’s tension frequently by trying to spin it.
- A good rule of thumb: the chain should be tight enough that it doesn’t sag off the bottom of the guide bar, but loose enough that you can still rotate it with your gloved hand.
Step 12: Final Tightening of Bar Nuts
Once the chain tension is correct, use your combination wrench to firmly tighten the bar nuts. Ensure they are secure, as a loose guide bar can be extremely dangerous.
Step 13: Perform a Final Check
- Spin the chain by hand again to ensure it moves freely and doesn’t bind.
- Ensure the guide bar is securely attached.
Maintaining Your Stihl Chainsaw Chain and Guide Bar
Proper maintenance extends the life of your chain and ensures safe operation.
- Stihl Chainsaw Sharpening: Regularly sharpen your chain. Dull chains are inefficient and dangerous. You can sharpen it yourself with a file and guide, or have it professionally sharpened. Look for signs of dulling like sawdust that is powdery instead of coarse chips, or the saw “pushing” rather than cutting.
- Stihl Chainsaw Chain Lubrication: This is critical for reducing friction and heat. Ensure the oiler is working. Check the oil reservoir regularly and fill it with Stihl’s recommended bar and chain oil or another high-quality chainsaw bar oil. Insufficient Stihl chainsaw chain lubrication will quickly lead to chain and bar damage.
- Cleaning: After each use, clean sawdust and debris from the guide bar groove, the sprocket, and the clutch cover. This prevents buildup that can impede chain movement and lubrication.
Common Stihl Chainsaw Troubleshooting Issues Related to Chain Replacement
While a Stihl chainsaw chain replacement is usually straightforward, here are some common issues and Stihl chainsaw troubleshooting tips:
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Chain too loose after tightening | Incorrect chain tensioner adjustment; worn tensioner mechanism. | Re-adjust tensioner, ensuring it’s engaging correctly. If worn, consider replacing the tensioner screw or the related mechanism. |
| Chain won’t turn | Chain is too tight; guide bar groove is dirty or damaged; clutch or sprocket issue. | Loosen the chain. Clean the guide bar groove. Inspect guide bar and sprocket for damage or debris. If the sprocket or clutch is the issue, professional service may be needed. |
| Chain derails (comes off guide bar) | Chain is too loose; guide bar groove is worn or damaged; incorrect chain type used. | Tighten the chain properly. Inspect and potentially replace the guide bar. Double-check that you are using the correct chain for your model. |
| Saw cuts crooked | Dull chain; improperly tensioned chain; damaged guide bar. | Sharpen or replace the chain. Ensure correct chain tension. Inspect the guide bar for wear or damage and replace if necessary. |
| Chain gets hot and smokes | Insufficient lubrication; chain is too tight; dull chain; worn guide bar. | Check and refill the oil reservoir. Ensure proper chain lubrication is reaching the chain. Loosen the chain if too tight. Sharpen or replace the chain/bar if worn. |
| New chain seems to stretch quickly | This is normal for new chains as they “seat” themselves. However, excessive stretching could indicate a fault. | Check and re-tension the chain after the first few minutes of use. If it continues to stretch excessively, ensure you have the correct chain and it’s not defective. |
| Difficulty removing clutch cover | Bar nuts not loosened enough; clutch cover binding on mounting studs. | Ensure bar nuts are sufficiently loosened. Wiggle the clutch cover gently to free it. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: How often should I replace my Stihl chainsaw chain?
A: This depends heavily on usage, the type of wood you cut, and how well you maintain the chain. Generally, a chain can last anywhere from a few months to a couple of years for moderate home use. Look for signs of dullness, damage, or excessive wear.
Q2: What is chain pitch and gauge?
A: Chain pitch is the distance between the drive links of your chain, measured from the first rivet to the third rivet, then divided by two. Gauge refers to the thickness of the drive link. These measurements must match your guide bar and sprocket for the chain to function correctly.
Q3: Can I use a chain from a different brand on my Stihl chainsaw?
A: Yes, as long as the pitch, gauge, and number of drive links are identical to the Stihl chain specified for your saw model. However, Stihl chains are engineered to work optimally with Stihl guide bars and sprockets.
Q4: How tight should a Stihl chainsaw chain be?
A: The chain should be snug enough that it doesn’t sag off the bottom of the guide bar, but loose enough that you can still rotate it by hand with a gloved hand. When you pull the chain forward, it should move, but with resistance.
Q5: What kind of oil should I use for Stihl chainsaw chain lubrication?
A: Use a high-quality bar and chain oil specifically designed for chainsaws. Stihl recommends their own brand of bar and chain oil, which is formulated to adhere to the chain and provide excellent lubrication, even in extreme temperatures.
Q6: What if my Stihl chainsaw is still not cutting well after changing the chain?
A: This could indicate other issues. Check your Stihl chainsaw sharpening for consistency and sharpness. Ensure proper Stihl chainsaw chain adjustment and Stihl chainsaw chain lubrication. Inspect the Stihl chainsaw guide bar for wear and the clutch sprocket for damage. If these are all in good condition, the issue might be with the carburetor or engine, requiring further Stihl chainsaw troubleshooting.
By following these detailed steps, you can confidently perform a Stihl chainsaw chain replacement, ensuring your saw remains a reliable and safe tool for all your cutting needs. Regular maintenance and prompt replacement of worn parts are key to maximizing your saw’s Stihl chainsaw cutting performance and ensuring its longevity.