I got lucky.
On my 01 FXST at 58K Km (36K miles) , I decided to rest my mind and replace my my Cam Chain tensioners to the Hydraulic ones, using Andrews Kit with the 37N Cam.
As you will see below the shoes were wearing thin and it was about time
But the surprise damage was that damage done to one of my cam bearings ? you can see the steel being literally eaten around.

My Indy said this is rare, but it happens sometimes from Factory problems in heat treating.

check the scary photos , the first one shows the difference between the front 'worn out' one and the rear that looks kinda of OK (still has slight wear but at the top), the red arrows shows you the one wearing front and the other one not wearing out.



this one shows how the wearing starts on one side of the bearing



Finally both my shoes were worn off equally, very close to the limit, I say the 40K miles was about right for replacing, again remember, this is 36K miles.

 

Disaster diverted for sure.

 

Crazy bro now to find all the metal shavings hahahahaha jk but seriously if you leave all that in the engine its going to wear it out faster

 

I am hoping it went to the bottom of the oil and it all got caught maybe in the filter.
I replaced the Oil pump as part of the kit, I really hope that does it. and yes it is a scary thought !
What is more scary, is a full failure of this bearing. that is a good 3-4K$ damage

 

You got lucky man. That would have sucked big time.

 

Klf you're gonna love the beat and bark of the 37's Glad you caught it in time!

 

Thanks brother.

Seeing this was very scary actually, I hope there is nothing else going bad there

I am looking forward to all this 37N fun, but I will have to wait till the snow starts flying and then stops , in the mean while I have to move, get married, and all that jazz. sigh..

Peace.

 

Good catch! It could've been disaterous.

 

I replaced the cam chain tensioner shoes on my '06 at 25,000 miles, when I went to Headquarters cams, and expect to continue to replace them at 25,000-mile intervals. No big deal, I just plan it into my maintenance program. The shoes are inexpensive, and H-D is long past producing the problematic ones. I just never saw the need to go to the expense of switching to hydraulic tensioners or gear drive. But I can see where it's worth it to some for peace of mind.

 

The Shoes did well for 36K Miles as seen in the photos, what was disastrous was the cam bearing metal grinding, this .. I am afraid you can not service !. replacing the whole thing would cost you probably more than the new hydraulic kit.

Just keep an eye on the bearings, It is not 'common' but it does happen as evident in the photos .