I tore down my 05 tc88 and found the front outer cam bearing cage broken and in pieces. The oil pump and outer plate bushing and crank end scored. The crank is only scored on half of the surface and the bushing on the top side. I checked the crank run out (.0035). I am upgrading to the SE plate and pump assy and the B148 inner bearings and my question is there a replacement for the front outer cam bearing that isn't a caged bearing ? I know the early TC88 had caged bearings on both outers and moco replaced the rears with a roller. Will the roller also work in the front ? If not what will ? Thanks for your help.

 

Anybody ? I just don't want to tear the bike down every 30k and replace this POS bearing.

 

What is the condition of the secondary (inner) cam chain tensioner? The damage you describe is not uncommonly caused by failure of that cam tensioner. If the tensioner shoe wears completely through (or breaks), the chain grinds against the metal part of the tensioner.

 

I think he is talking about the 'bearing' of the cam not the 'tensioners' You can see on my 01 as I went to replace the set with Hydraulic ones , while replacing the cams with the N37 I found that the old bearing were failing already

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...r-averted.html

My Mechanic said that he have seen a few like that and it is the way they harden the steel or something to that effect (I am not very good with metals).

I know I did not answer the question, my best advice is to get to good engine builder, and get their advice on what to use.

 

Both the inner and outer shoes have at least 50% lining lift and show no pitting. The cage that holds the ball in place on the front outer bearing just disintegrated. The pieces of the cage went through the inner chain and cam sprocket chipping 3 teeth on the front cam. I havent pressed out the cams and bearing yet to mic them to see if I can just use 2 rear roller style bearing on both cams. This cage is the weak link in the cam setup.

 

Can you upgrade to the SE hyd conversion set up that does not have outer bearings on the cam?

 

I got a cam isntall kit that had the cam bearings as a part of it. ti was an S&S kit. I would replace the shoes at the very least while in there. I did my cam stuff at 40K miels and had about teh wear you are suggesting then. Replaced the shoes, bearings, lifters and put new cams in. I checked the new shoes 20K miles later and the shoes were about to crack and be completely toasted.

I opted for the S/E hydraulic cam plate upgrade at that time. I always replace the all bearings every time I am in the cam chest. It is cheap insurance.

Now that I have the hydraulic upgrade this should not be an issue anymore.

Drew

 

subscriber

 

I don't know if the 07 and up 96 cam plate will retrofit into the TC88 or not. I am installing the Hyd SE plate so the way I figure if I can find a replacement for the caged bearing then I will never have to crack the cam cage again. Every 30k miles is a pain. I will repss out the old bearing and mic them and go to out local bearing shop and see if they can cross.

 

I realize that it as a bearing, I asked about the tensioner because I was wondering if if metal shavings from the tensioner might have been the cause. I didn't realize the the bearings were so problematic (having failures at such low mileage).

At any rate I would be concerned about pieces of debris (broken cage) roaming around in the crankcase. Just one small piece can block an oil passage, particularly the oil passage in the crank to the rod journal.