Troubleshooting Sprocket / Pin gear drive
Sprocket
| 1 | Chain is riding up on the sprocket |
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| Cause 1 | Chain and sprocket do not match | Solution | Replace the chain or sprocket with the correct size. |
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| Cause 2 | Chain wear elongation or excessively worn teeth | Solution | Replace with new chains and sprockets. |
| Cause 3 | Insufficient chain winding angle | Solution | Set angle to 120° or more, or for three teeth or more. |
| Cause 4 | Center distance between chain and sprocket shaft | Solution | Inspect and adjust. |
| 2 | Unusual noises |
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| Cause 1 | Improper installation of the sprocket or shaft | Solution | Inspect and correct |
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| Cause 2 | Excessive chain or sprocket wear | Solution | Replace with new chains and sprockets. |
| Cause 3 | Lack of or unsuitable lubrication | Solution | Provide proper lubrication according to the operating conditions |
| 3 | Chain winds onto the sprocket (poor disengagement) |
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| Cause 1 | Chain wear elongation or excessively worn teeth | Solution | Replace with new chain and sprocket. |
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| 4 | Excessive wear on inside of chain plates and the sides of sprocket teeth |
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| Cause 1 | Improper installation | Solution | Correct sprocket and shaft installation |
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| Cause 2 | Chain is being pushed laterally. | Solution | Remove the cause of the lateral forces and switch to a chain with guide rollers. |
| Cause 3 | Poor centering of sprocket | Solution | Remove the chain and correct a centering of drive and driven sprockets. |
| Cause 4 | Inclined sprocket caused by poor shaft bore processing accuracy | Solution | After checking for defective parts, correct and replace with new sprockets. |
| Cause 5 |
Keys are out of phase |
Solution |
When two or more are used in parallel on the same shaft, the sprocket teeth should be in phase. Check hub direction during installation and align keyway position. Matched sprockets are marked and managed together.
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| 5 | Wear on a sprocket tooth root and tooth pressing surface |
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| Cause 1 | Chain wear | Solution | Replace chain and sprockets at the same time. |
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| Cause 2 | Insufficient number of engaged teeth | Solution | Increase the number of sprocket teeth. |
| Cause 3 | BF chain (no rollers) used | Solution | Change to RF chain (with rollers). |
| Cause 4 | Insufficient tooth hardness against wear inclusions and excessive loads | Solution | Use hardened teeth specifications or block replaceable tooth type. |
| Cause 5 | Incompatibility between sprocket and chain | Solution | Replace the chain or sprocket with the correct size. |
| 6 | Good articulation |
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| Cause 1 | Chain deformation due to improper installation | Solution | Inspect and correct the installation condition of sprocket and shaft. |
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| 7 | Chain causes stick-slip (jerking phenomenon). |
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| Cause 1 | Fluctuation of rolling friction coefficient of chain | Solution | Replace with new sprockets. |
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| Cause 2 | Speed variation due to polygonal action | Solution | Number of drive sprocket teeth shall be 12T or more. |
| 8 | Excessive wear on inside of chain plates or on one side of pin of NF block chain or BF chain (no rollers). |
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| Cause 1 | Increased internal tension when engaging the sprocket. | Solution |
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| 9 | Sudden link plate fracture |
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| Cause 1 |
Plates are pressed outward by sprocket teeth.
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Solution |
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| 10 | Breakage of hub |
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| Cause 1 | Insufficient hub strength | Solution | Check and correct hub diameter and shaft bore diameter and replace with new sprockets. |
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Sprockets only work as products when used together with chains.
Troubleshooting pages for each chain are also available, so please refer to them as well.
