Tire chain parts.

[black95]

Looking to see if anyone has bought tire chains and had to cut them down, and maybe has some extra parts, or maybe has some chains with worn out tread bars that are ready for the trash.
Specifically, I am looking for some cam locks. I need four or more of them to cut into my chains. I figure its a long shot, but worth a try. Trying to find them on the internet, I seem to be able to find everything to build your own chains except for the cams.

 

[Fitzgerald]

If no one has some old ones for you, you can call these guys.

http://www.qcctraction.com/products/chains-and-parts/a40250hc-alloy-cam-side-chain.html

 

[CO_Hunter]

I may have some, i just to remember where spare chain parts are.

 

[black95]

I you find a few, I'll be happy to pay you for them. Maybe I'll swap you for and FT-60 rubber duck

 

[CO_Hunter]

I just looked and I only have some extra treads and main chain pieces. Now, I have been thinking of cutting one cam per chain out of my 4 chains as the last one is not in the best spot. I will just give you the cams if you want them. If you give me a hand we could knock out the project pretty quick.

Plus the rubber duck of course , just kidding ...

 

[black95]

I'd be happy to do that, and I'm very good at welding chain. We could reconfigure the chains any way you want. Maybe add a couple links per side since losing the cams will shorten things. Let me know.

 

[CO_Hunter]

I was thinking the same thing of adding chain back in once the cam is removed. Let's find a time to get it done. I need to fix my ABS sensor first

 

[Springs505]

Chain experts chime in...

One of the guys at work had a set of chains that he used on a set of 33X1050s. I can keep them for free/cheap if I can make them work on my 33X1250 tires. I set the chains up on the tire and my impression is that the cross chains are just too short. The side chains look like they might be long enough if the cross chains were extended.

Luke, do you have any advice on this? I am debating if it is possible/reasonable/worth the trouble to modify these to work with my tires.

I could just extend the length of the side chains, but it looks to me that they might not extend far enough down the sidewall to stay on the tire without extending the cross chains.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[CO_Hunter]

I wouldn't run them like that. You can extend the cross chains but it will obviously take some time. You can buy them here.

http://www.tirechain.com/TireChainCrossChains.htm

 

[black95]

Andrew.

You've got a couple options. If you've got the time, I would add a standard chain link into each side of the treads. Chain is cheap at Home Depot. The hardest part about that is spreading open all of the end clamps. I use two pair of channel locks to do this, tried a hammering a chisel in there the first time I did this and it was a PITA. Channel locks seem to work well. You have to cut the chain links on the weld with a cut off wheel, then chamfer them the best you can with the cut off wheel. The cut off wheel is thin enough to fit in there and get the job done, wear gloves, and be aware that the grinder can grab that link and send it across the room at lightning speed. Once that's done close the chain link and weld it. With a 120 welder, I would turn it up to its highest power setting, with the wire speed at half. You want a lot of heat, but not a lot of wire so you don't end up with boogers hanging off your chain.

The other option is to go buy a bunch of removable chain links, but that might cost you as much as a set of new chains.

I remember a while back, when Don used to bring his FJ40 out on 39's, he had a set of chains that barely covered the tread. I don't remember them ever falling off. Might be worth a try running them like they are. You don't have any ABS lines to tear off, bring a pair of vice grips in case you tear a brake hose off

 

[CO_Hunter]

Andrew.

... You don't have any ABS lines to tear off, bring a pair of vice grips in case you tear a brake hose off

At least by loosing the ABS line I didn't lose my brakes completely. The ABS fix was fairly easy, it is just a question of the durability of the repair...

 

[Springs505]

You can extend the cross chains but it will obviously take some time. You can buy them here.

http://www.tirechain.com/TireChainCrossChains.htm

Thanks for the link. I looked around a little and can't find new cross chains for less than $5/ea...10/tire=$100 to replace them. I can pick up a new set of chains for about $20 more.

Andrew.

You've got a couple options. If you've got the time, I would add a standard chain link into each side of the treads. Chain is cheap at Home Depot. The hardest part about that is spreading open all of the end clamps. I use two pair of channel locks to do this, tried a hammering a chisel in there the first time I did this and it was a PITA. Channel locks seem to work well. You have to cut the chain links on the weld with a cut off wheel, then chamfer them the best you can with the cut off wheel. The cut off wheel is thin enough to fit in there and get the job done, wear gloves, and be aware that the grinder can grab that link and send it across the room at lightning speed. Once that's done close the chain link and weld it. With a 120 welder, I would turn it up to its highest power setting, with the wire speed at half. You want a lot of heat, but not a lot of wire so you don't end up with boogers hanging off your chain.

I'm picturing myself opening up 40 end clamps and cutting/welding 40 chain links...not fun, probably a whole day of work. I thought about using these to avoid the die grinder, but it adds expense compared to cutting up a chain...

http://www.harborfreight.com/pack-of-4-1-4-quarter-inch-chain-repair-links-95835.html

The other option is to go buy a bunch of removable chain links, but that might cost you as much as a set of new chains.

Agreed^

I remember a while back, when Don used to bring his FJ40 out on 39's, he had a set of chains that barely covered the tread. I don't remember them ever falling off. Might be worth a try running them like they are. You don't have any ABS lines to tear off, bring a pair of vice grips in case you tear a brake hose off

I wouldn't run them like that.

I'm afraid I agree with Leon. I think the risk of screwing something up running chains too narrow for my tires is too great. Now that I got some good advice <thanks!> and the realities of my options have set in, I think I should give these back to my friend and keep looking on CL for a set that is the right size, or perhaps a bit too large (easier to deal with...I think).