What chain oil?

[MagicalArmchair]

I've just replaced the bearings on Mirage, our Bav 40, and on our first outing to make sure the rudder wasn't about to fall off, approaching full lock to stbd, there was a worrying clunk noise.

On inspection I found it was coming where the chain to the autopilot drive using was going over the sprocket on the wheel and one of the links was "clunking" into place as it was pulled onto the top sprocket that is linked to the spindle on the wheel.

Would you use something like this on a steering chain to oil it? https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00O8QF3PY?ref_=cm_sw_r_ud_dp_T8NZ0C61QTCAMCRF2MZE

I'll take the chain and cable off over winter and I'm going to replace the whole lot (conduit too) as its long overdue, then I can keep the old one as a spare.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

It could be a damaged link or tooth on the sprocket, I don't think it needs oiling as such. You could try moving the chain several links to see if it disappears and mark that link so you can carefully inspect it.

 

[Biggles Wader]

I'd just drip a tiny bit of winch/lube oil or similar on the offending area to see if that solved it. If not then it might be an alignment problem

 

[[70521]]

3in1 is my go to general light oil. Can't see that this is any different to a bicycle chain.

 

[MagicalArmchair]

It could be a damaged link or tooth on the sprocket, I don't think it needs oiling as such. You could try moving the chain several links to see if it disappears and mark that link so you can carefully inspect it.

If it was a tooth on the sprocket it would happen all the time, or elsewhere on the chain. I did suspect damage to the link itself, however I can't see any visible damage.

I'd just drip a tiny bit of winch/lube oil or similar on the offending area to see if that solved it. If not then it might be an alignment problem

I do have some winch oil, so I'll try a drop of that mega expensive stuff or bring some 3 in 1 along. It could be alignment, however, there is little that can be adjusted as the sprocket on both the drive unit and the wheel are fixed. The only thing that can be adjusted is the tension.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

If it was a tooth on the sprocket it would happen all the time, or elsewhere on the chain. I did suspect damage to the link itself, however I can't see any visible damage.



I do have some winch oil, so I'll try a drop of that mega expensive stuff or bring some 3 in 1 along. It could be alignment, however, there is little that can be adjusted as the sprocket on both the drive unit and the wheel are fixed. The only thing that can be adjusted is the tension.

If it was alignment it would happen all the time, the reason I suggested a tooth is because the video shows just one link on one tooth which I why I suggest moving the chain by several links to see if it disappears.

 

[Farmer Piles]

Bearings Online

I use this all the time on various chain drives on the farm. Brilliant stuff. It fizzes as you spray it on so it works its way into the chain rollers and pins and its sticks and stays there.
Could be that one of the links has seized and is not flexing. I would take it off and check all the links and teeth as mentioned above. At least you then can eliminate factors.

Good luck.

 

[V1701]

The teeth on the sprocket nearest the camera look very worn to me, i.e. much shallower and worn to a point. Compare them with the teeth on the other sprocket which look much more like they should be. The chain looks to be in reasonable condition but is very likely stretched which would also increase the likelihood of the symptoms you're experiencing. Under load eventually the chain will start to slide over the sprocket so i think you're right to consider replacing...