Chainsaw Tension Screw Not Working? Here’s What You Need to Do

The tension screw on the chainsaw can sometimes malfunction and cause difficulty in loosening or tightening the chain tension as required.

The most common reasons behind your chainsaw tension screw not working like usual are:

• Faulty or damaged tension screw
• Incorrect set up of the tension screw
• When the chainsaw is frequently exposed to aggressive or abusive cutting jobs
• Overtime internal parts including tensioner screw can malfunction

Keep reading the following article to learn what to do when the chainsaw tension screw not working properly.

Why is My Chainsaw Tension Screw Not Working?

It is another common complaint against any modern chainsaw regardless of the brand.

You might occasionally notice that when you try to turn the tension screw on your chainsaw to adjust the bar or to tension the chain, the screw won’t work.

But why? 

It might occur because the tension screw is faulty or damaged which mostly happens if your chainsaw has been exposed to aggressive cutting projects regularly for a long time.

Remember, internal elements or parts of the chainsaw, including tensioning screws, can turn bad due to overuse. Especially if you are a reckless user and do not perform regular maintenance of your chainsaw accordingly, such commotion will arise soon.

Another common scenario is where users sometimes notice tension screw clicking while rotating that screw. That is another sign that the screw is either damaged or stripped.

Over time the chainsaw and its major components turn older and rot. So, that will also result in the tension screw deteriorating.

A chainsaw can accidentally hit a stone, nail, rock, or other similar objects on the way, and these external objects can break some teeth on your chainsaw. It is another typical reason why chainsaw sometimes starts cutting in a curve.

Replace the Chainsaw Tension Screw with Just 7 Simple Steps: 

If your chainsaw tension screw is not working, replacing it is the only effective solution to fix this trouble. Here are the 7 simple steps to replace the existing tension screw quickly.

So, read and follow the instructions thoroughly without skipping any details:

Tools Needed to Replace Your Chainsaw Tension Screw:

Tools

New Tension Screw

A Bar Wrench

A Screwdriver

A Pair of Pliers

Pair of Protective googles & Safety Gloves

Step 1- Make sure your chainsaw has cooled off to Remove the top cover:

Before starting the procedures, ensure that the engine of your chainsaw has cooled down properly.

Next, release the top clips securely holding your chainsaw’s top cover to lift the top cover off.

Step 2- Detach the wire & boot from the spark plug:

Now disconnect the wire and boot from the spark plug to prevent your chainsaw from accidentally starting during the replacement task.

Step 3- Remove the clutch cover & tension bracket screw:

First, use a wrench or screwdriver to loosen the nuts that securely hold the clutch cover and remove them.

Carefully pull the clutch cover off and put it on a sturdy surface.

Step 4- Lift the Adjustment Assembly out of the way:

Now you can see the tension bracket screw there, so use a screwdriver to remove the bracket screw.

Next, carefully lift the adjustment assembly out.

Step 5- Remove the old tension screw & install the new one:

Use a pair of pliers to lift out the old tension screw.

Then, bring the new Tension Screw and insert it into the cover.

Step 6- Reinstall the Assembly & Clutch Cover Securely:

Ensure the bracket is in place before reinstalling the adjustment assembly in that clutch cover.

Now, secure that assembly with the screw and reinsert the clutch cover on your chainsaw.

While you are still on this, you can also replace the clutch cover if the Clutch Cover looks cracked, deteriorated, or damaged.

Step 7- Align the tensioner to put everything else back together:

Rotate the tension adjustment screw counterclockwise to align the tensioner with the clutch cover in place.

Then, reinsert the nuts and hand-tighten them first.

Now lift the bar and rotate the adjusting screw clockwise until there is no slack remaining in the chain.

When the adjustment is done the chain bar will look like this and use the wrench to tighten those nuts fully.

Also, confirm that the chain is tight.

Then, attach the wire and boot to the spark plug. After that, realign the top cover and secure it with the top clips.

Warning: This particular replacement task requires basic technical knowledge or expertise, and if you are new or not sure about your technical ability, it’s better to always rely on professional experts.

Why Causes the Chain on my Chainsaw Stretch so Fast?

Sometimes users notice that the chain on their chainsaws suddenly starts to stretch too fast, and there’s a reason behind this commotion.

Mainly chain stretching issue arises due to extremely generated friction during cutting the wood turns the chain on your chainsaw superheated. This additional heat gradually causes the chain to loosen up faster than usual.

This generated heat also expands the chain guide bar, and as it cools off, the chain turns stretched. The chain can also stretch when it eventually wears down due to aggressive use or overuse.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Final Verdict

While using any modern chainsaw, users can sometimes witness a situation where they will notice that no matter whether they try to loosen or tighten the chain tension adjuster screw, the screw will not rotate or work.

Fortunately, there’s no need to get panic as soon you encounter such a situation because the easiest solution to fixing this problem is replacing the tension screw, and the replacement procedure is simpler too.

All you have to do is, follow the earlier discussed instructions thoroughly.