cam Chain Tensioner
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 8
From: Aurora, IL
Yep, lots of truth to it. Alot of them go around 20k
You pretty much have 3 options
1. replace them and keep an eye on them regularly
2. Upgrade to the new style tensioner and chain setup
3. Gear drive and forget the chains and tensioners all together.
My dad had two failures on his in 45k He is now running the newer 06 and up style tensioners.
You pretty much have 3 options
1. replace them and keep an eye on them regularly
2. Upgrade to the new style tensioner and chain setup
3. Gear drive and forget the chains and tensioners all together.
My dad had two failures on his in 45k He is now running the newer 06 and up style tensioners.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,483
Likes: 39
From: Passaic County, NJ
Also, with going to a gear drive setup, you must first check crank runout. If it's more than .001", most gear drives aren't for you. Best option at that point is to get your crank trued and welded. I saw a company "Revolution Performance" will true and weld for $100.
So, going to gear drive for most average working shmoe is not an option...quite costly unless you're building a HP shootout bike.
So, going to gear drive for most average working shmoe is not an option...quite costly unless you're building a HP shootout bike.
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,788
Likes: 5,625
From: along the shore of Mishigami
Shatter is such a harsh word. The chains cut grooves in them, then pieces of the shoe tend to break off and start going thru the engine and hopefully trapped in the filter, then here's the worst part, the chain cuts into the metal rivet that holds these things together, then the metal pieces find the oil pump or other rotating parts with gears. I would have them checked at 20k miles. +1 on the replacement options.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 2
From:
Shatter is such a harsh word. The chains cut grooves in them, then pieces of the shoe tend to break off and start going thru the engine and hopefully trapped in the filter, then here's the worst part, the chain cuts into the metal rivet that holds these things together, then the metal pieces find the oil pump or other rotating parts with gears. I would have them checked at 20k miles. +1 on the replacement options.
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
My tensioners were shot at just short of 27K miles. The front one was not too bad, still over 50%, but the rear one was cracked and partly broken. Glad I checked it when I did. Installed gear drive cams as I was able to get it done for the same price the dealer wanted for installing the new style tensioners kit.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jurgie
General Harley Davidson Chat
6
Mar 2, 2010 08:06 PM
