Is it essential

[Tony Cook]

Today there was a crack and a ping and something landed in my lap. It was half of the collar that sits at the end of the chain just in front (or behind depending on your perspective) where the U bolt that holds the handle on attached to the chain assembly. I think it must be called the chain swivel bushing, there is a split one on the C2 site.
Do I really need to replace this? I can’t see that it does anything, but it must be there for a reason.

[Citroen]

It's a user replaceable part.

C2 had a bunch of trouble with those chain bushings a few years back and came out with a completely new $1.25 design.
https://shop.concept2.com/parts/321-slo ... c-d-e.html

https://www.concept2.com/files/pdf/us/i ... cement.pdf

[hjs]

Today there was a crack and a ping and something landed in my lap. It was half of the collar that sits at the end of the chain just in front (or behind depending on your perspective) where the U bolt that holds the handle on attached to the chain assembly. I think it must be called the chain swivel bushing, there is a split one on the C2 site.
Do I really need to replace this? I can’t see that it does anything, but it must be there for a reason.

No worry, you can row perfectly well without, it does protect the handlering from wearing out. But that goes slowly. Sprinters break this piece often.

[nick rockliff]

Today there was a crack and a ping and something landed in my lap. It was half of the collar that sits at the end of the chain just in front (or behind depending on your perspective) where the U bolt that holds the handle on attached to the chain assembly. I think it must be called the chain swivel bushing, there is a split one on the C2 site.
Do I really need to replace this? I can’t see that it does anything, but it must be there for a reason.

Mine did same back in 2009, never did replace it.

[Tony Cook]

Thanks for the replies guys. Think I’ll leave it as I plan to replace all the chain and cog gubbins for the quiet version in the mid term.