I replaced the tensioner spring with Mcmaster-carr.com part number 9433k39 as suggested in another thread. New spring on the left, bit smaller in diameter but much stronger. These springs are about twice as strong as the old weak one. Cost $12 for three delivered. The chain is now tight and the death rattle is gone.
Thanks for the write-up Jordan. Kind of a nerve racking job, those little clips on the tensioner are slippery.
I'm pleased with the results. Thanks for the help.
Another data point on the spring (i just changed mine).
Old spring is (assume it was the original) and the new spring is the 14514-me5-010 (which i purchased from Honda).
Both springs have the same wire diameter of 0.055".
If you'll notice the new (-010) spring is about .115 inch longer (i was worried at first about that) but the spring rate is 10 times what the old spring is. I don't know if this is because the oringinal lost it's strength or because the new spring was redesigned to provide that much more force.
Spring data: See attachment if this data is not formatted - I couldn't figure out how to post a picture or formatted data table in this reply(?).
Initial length Final length Load K (lbf / inch)
Old 2.460 2.980 6.000 11.538
New 2.575 2.625 6.000 120.000
The spring rate for the McMaster spring is about 10 lbs per inch.
The other thing to consider (a more difficult one) is at what point will a different than OEM spring fail from fatigue (# of cycles in movement until it breaks - function of the material strength and spring design - shot peened, etc. Though if there is no OEM spring then we have to take our chances. If the new spring (not OEM has a lower or equal spring force than your current spring then i would be hesitant to use it as i see risk but not a gain in performance.
Information found elsewhere on the forums, contributed by others, horded in files by me.
