Transmission drain plug...
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 433
From: Menifee, CA
I had said earlier that I torque my drain bolts to 29 nm (28.5 is the spec). I chose to go to the high end of the range because of finding the sealer on the bolts and the torn up o-rings. I was new to these HD tourers, and didn't know what to make of the thread sealer, except that there must have been trouble with bolts leaking, or even coming loose and falling out.
Because of worry, caused by finding that thread sealer, for 32k miles I've gone back and checked the torque on those bolts the day after an oil change, and then every few days, and for sure before a long ride into the wilderness. I put my wrench at 27 nm and see if the bolt moves. None ever has. And, at 29 nm my o-rings come out after 5k miles in perfect condition, so perfect that they can be reused without worry.
Because of worry, caused by finding that thread sealer, for 32k miles I've gone back and checked the torque on those bolts the day after an oil change, and then every few days, and for sure before a long ride into the wilderness. I put my wrench at 27 nm and see if the bolt moves. None ever has. And, at 29 nm my o-rings come out after 5k miles in perfect condition, so perfect that they can be reused without worry.
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,582
Likes: 72
From: North East
The one exception I have to take to your post is the reference to the Viton orings being brown in color. Some are. Most fluoroelastomer (Viton) orings are black....just like the ones originally supplied by Harley.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,271
Likes: 246
From: Columbia SC
Yeah, I notice the white sealant from the factory on my 14 RK years back and since then, for the heck of it I found myself putting Teflon tape on them now, for no other reason, then ... no reason! *L*
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