Husqvarna Knee Joint Assembly for 562XP

The Husqvarna 562XP knee joint assembly is part of the chain brake linkage, the toggle that lets the brake band snap on when the handguard trips and hold off when you reset it. A worn or bent knee joint can make the brake sloppy, slow or hard to reset, and a chain brake has to work every time.

When to look at the knee joint

Test the chain brake every day before work. Push the handguard forward with the saw off and it should snap on firmly. Pull it back and it should reset without binding. If the brake feels mushy, won't latch, or drags the chain with the guard back, the linkage needs attention.

Hard hits from a pinched bar, a dropped saw or a lot of sawdust packed into the clutch cover can bend or wear the knee joint.

On the 562XP, the brake mechanism sits under the clutch cover, where sawdust, bar oil and chips pack in quickly. A packed brake area can mimic a worn linkage, so clean it out before you condemn parts. If the brake still feels weak or inconsistent after a good cleaning, inspect the knee joint, the spring and the brake band together. Worn parts in the brake are not something to put off on a saw used for felling and bucking.

Service and safety

The brake spring is under strong tension, so use the procedure and tools in the Husqvarna service manual, or have a dealer do it. Clean the brake area, inspect the band for wear, and replace the knee joint as an assembly.

Never run a saw with a brake that doesn't work. Test it after the repair and again before the first cut. Find other 562XP parts in our chainsaw parts range.