Arlen Ness A/C studs broke off???
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 791
Likes: 1
From: New Hampshire
RE: Arlen Ness A/C studs broke off???
Did anyone use loc-tite on all the threads?
Will the big sucker filter element fit the SE air breather? The main reason I went with the Ness was the filter element.
Will the big sucker filter element fit the SE air breather? The main reason I went with the Ness was the filter element.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 916
Likes: 3
From: Mauldin, SC
RE: Arlen Ness A/C studs broke off???
Navy, the Ness filter will work with the SE backplate. After my Ness backplate cracked, I bought an SE air cleaner kit and used the Ness filter with it. The problem with the Ness backplate is the surface thatsits against the throttle body or carb isn't flat. The torque spec on the three spacers is only 3-5 lb-ft, so if you overtighten just a little, the backplate cracks...thin cast aluminum doesn't bend. Ness replaced mine through Eastern Performanceno questions asked, so I have to believeNess isaware that there's a problem. The replacement backplate I got was just a bad as the original so I didn't even put it on. The SE backplate is a much better piece.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
From: Havasu, Az
RE: Arlen Ness A/C studs broke off???
I did torque mine to what the instructions stated and used loc tite with everything. I had the stage 2 if that helps anyone? I posted a while back saying it was junk and failed on me twice. Well, it's still junk and im still fighting it. lol I will be looking for aSE backing plate and etc like others on here have done.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 555
Likes: 0
From: Pickens, SC
RE: Arlen Ness A/C studs broke off???
i did torque the three center studs to 3in pounds and two of them cracked badly when i called the # on the box they acted like it was the first they had ever heard of this happen. i smell BS
but anyway told me to take it back to where i got it and they got me a replacement. the second install i used blue loctite and tightened the screws down and when i felt them start to tighten up
i stopped so far no problems and i have removed the air cleaner twice to check and they have not backed out any. so if you do buy i would not torque the three center screws just snug them up the two outer screws that hold it to the heads you should be fine torquing them to spec just make sure you use in pounds and not foot pounds.
but anyway told me to take it back to where i got it and they got me a replacement. the second install i used blue loctite and tightened the screws down and when i felt them start to tighten up
i stopped so far no problems and i have removed the air cleaner twice to check and they have not backed out any. so if you do buy i would not torque the three center screws just snug them up the two outer screws that hold it to the heads you should be fine torquing them to spec just make sure you use in pounds and not foot pounds.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,722
Likes: 7
RE: Arlen Ness A/C studs broke off???
I wish this thread was here 2 weeks ago - I'm sure flynavy does too. We got what we got now. I'll be keeping an eye on mine. I may eventually change to a hypercharger eventually anyway - just like the looks.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 541
Likes: 3
From: Houston
RE: Arlen Ness A/C studs broke off???
This thread is perfect timing...I was going to buy the arlen over the SE....but Im not now....
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 791
Likes: 1
From: New Hampshire
RE: Arlen Ness A/C studs broke off???
Is it possible that Ness is aware of this, and has begun utilizing a different material for the back plates??
How old are the units that have experienced failures? If recently installed, were they older stock?
I just now took my brand new BS Stage I apart. Everything was tight to begin with from the loc-tite, but I removed the 3 screws holding the element on, then the 3 studs that go through the backplate into the throttle body. Those were tight also, and when I backed them out and looked real close at the plate with a flashlight, I could see no cracks at all.
I did find out however that the studs are actually in 3 pieces - there is a dual-threaded male end that fits both into the throttle body, then into the long silver stud. I did find that one of mine was loose going into the silver stud - almost backed out. I then loosened all 3 and removed them, put loc-tite (red) on all of them, then inserted them back into the silver studs finger tight, as tight as they would go.
I then cleaned the threads on the opposite ends, put loc-tite on them, and threaded them into the throttle body. I tightened them up until just snug. Then I placed the filter element back on, coated the 3 hex screws with loc-tite, threaded, then tightened them down to just snug.
Everything seems secure and ready to rock n roll, though I won't be riding til spring. Guess the loc-tite will set perfectly by then! I appreciate this thread, and sorry to those who have experienced failures, but though the plate is manufactured of some inexpensive ore, I think so long as you maintain torque to spec, or just snug with loc-tite, all should hold reasonably well.
I am going to see whether or not HD sells the SE back plates seperately, and if so, keep one on hand as a spare just in case.
Cheers...
How old are the units that have experienced failures? If recently installed, were they older stock?
I just now took my brand new BS Stage I apart. Everything was tight to begin with from the loc-tite, but I removed the 3 screws holding the element on, then the 3 studs that go through the backplate into the throttle body. Those were tight also, and when I backed them out and looked real close at the plate with a flashlight, I could see no cracks at all.
I did find out however that the studs are actually in 3 pieces - there is a dual-threaded male end that fits both into the throttle body, then into the long silver stud. I did find that one of mine was loose going into the silver stud - almost backed out. I then loosened all 3 and removed them, put loc-tite (red) on all of them, then inserted them back into the silver studs finger tight, as tight as they would go.
I then cleaned the threads on the opposite ends, put loc-tite on them, and threaded them into the throttle body. I tightened them up until just snug. Then I placed the filter element back on, coated the 3 hex screws with loc-tite, threaded, then tightened them down to just snug.
Everything seems secure and ready to rock n roll, though I won't be riding til spring. Guess the loc-tite will set perfectly by then! I appreciate this thread, and sorry to those who have experienced failures, but though the plate is manufactured of some inexpensive ore, I think so long as you maintain torque to spec, or just snug with loc-tite, all should hold reasonably well.
I am going to see whether or not HD sells the SE back plates seperately, and if so, keep one on hand as a spare just in case.
Cheers...
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,722
Likes: 7
RE: Arlen Ness A/C studs broke off???
Navy, I'm going to keep my out for a used SE kit from someone maybe upgrading. I'll keep an eye out for you as well. Since I won't care what condition the filter is in, I won't mind picking one up at the right price. I've seen them for sale used before.