Sheared Off Rear Pulley Bolts
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
I cant believe this is still going on. It happened to me many years ago and there was a "Service Bulletin", All Dealers knew about this problem and in my case everything was R/R at no charge. The Factory Rep told me because my local HD Dealer changed my pulley and added chrome bolts that were not available for my 06FXDBI that was the problem and replaced with the stock grade#8. He claimed the chrome bolts were not as hard as the chrome. This thread has been around a long time and if you look up older posts you will find the Service Bulletin. I also now have marked the position of the pulley bolts and it is one of the first things I check before getting out. Glad you didn't go down.....
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,217
Likes: 90
From: Detroit
There's a remote chance that Harley will cover it or provide some assistance, if you take it to a Harley dealer and have the repairs done there. Sometimes they will do that with known chronic problems. Have the repairs done elsewhere, and they won't touch it with a ten foot pole.
When I had some widely known chronic problems repaired on a 2006 by an indy, because it broke down 1/2 block from his shop, that was the excuse they used and stuck with. Some people have gotten the same problems repaired for free, or with some kind of cost sharing agreement by going through a dealer.
When I had some widely known chronic problems repaired on a 2006 by an indy, because it broke down 1/2 block from his shop, that was the excuse they used and stuck with. Some people have gotten the same problems repaired for free, or with some kind of cost sharing agreement by going through a dealer.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,826
Likes: 87
From: Cookson, Ok
I use ARP 614-1750 $22.54 for a set of 5 from Summit Racing. 12pt stainless with yield strength of 170,000psi. Your length may be different, mine on both bikes are 7/16-14 X 1 3/4. Standard grade 8 is 130,000psi.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ar...1750/overview/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ar...1750/overview/
Last edited by Lakerat; Nov 12, 2013 at 04:58 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 646
Likes: 16
From: South FL
I use ARP 614-1750 $22.54 for a set of 5 from Summit Racing. 12pt stainless with yield strength of 170,000psi. Your length may be different, mine on both bikes are 7/16-14 X 1 3/4. Standard grade 8 is 130,000psi.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ar...1750/overview/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ar...1750/overview/
They can be made from top notch tool steel but if they back out of the hub they will still **** something up....
Seems to me like the issue is with the installation of the bolt itself. (application of thread locker). I find it hard to believe that 65-75 ft-lbs of torque is overloading a 7/16 Gr 8 bolt. I think HD recommends replacing the bolts because they come with thread locker on them. That way you can assure you have the right amount applied to the bolt.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,826
Likes: 87
From: Cookson, Ok
It's my understanding that it's not so much the strength of the bolts that is the issue but rather the fact that they are backing out of the hub.
They can be made from top notch tool steel but if they back out of the hub they will still **** something up....
Seems to me like the issue is with the installation of the bolt itself. (application of thread locker). I find it hard to believe that 65-75 ft-lbs of torque is overloading a 7/16 Gr 8 bolt. I think HD recommends replacing the bolts because they come with thread locker on them. That way you can assure you have the right amount applied to the bolt.
They can be made from top notch tool steel but if they back out of the hub they will still **** something up....
Seems to me like the issue is with the installation of the bolt itself. (application of thread locker). I find it hard to believe that 65-75 ft-lbs of torque is overloading a 7/16 Gr 8 bolt. I think HD recommends replacing the bolts because they come with thread locker on them. That way you can assure you have the right amount applied to the bolt.
Last edited by Lakerat; Nov 12, 2013 at 07:58 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 401
From: Port Coquitlam B.C.
Seems to me like the issue is with the installation of the bolt itself. (application of thread locker). I find it hard to believe that 65-75 ft-lbs of torque is overloading a 7/16 Gr 8 bolt. I think HD recommends replacing the bolts because they come with thread locker on them. That way you can assure you have the right amount applied to the bolt.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,066
Likes: 97
From: Northern VA
There has to be something to this. I have replaced my rear tire twice, once at the harley shop and once I did it myself. Both times the pulley was removed and reinstalled using the same original bolts. I marked the bolts both times with a Sharpie and tonight after reading this I went out and checked them again. Nothing has moved and nothing moved the last time either. I don't know what is causing this to happen to so many bikes but I no longer believe the stock bolts have to be replaced. I agree with the above quote that it could be a thread lock issue, the other thing I wonder is what would happen if the bolts were over tightened? The rim is aluminum and it wouldn't take that much to weaken the threads in the rim.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 401
From: Port Coquitlam B.C.
I'll have to check my service manual but I am fairly sure I looked and it says nothing about needing to replace the bolts. Either way there are way too many people having this problem so something is not right.
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fi the pulley comes off for replacment or servicing, replace the bolts with QUALITY bolts, loc tite and torque them in. Bolts are cheap wheels, belts, pulleys and possably your life is not. Grade 8 bolts definitly not chrome as the chrome process changes the metalurgacl integrity/ weakens it
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 476
Likes: 41
From: Sin City
fi the pulley comes off for replacment or servicing, replace the bolts with QUALITY bolts, loc tite and torque them in. Bolts are cheap wheels, belts, pulleys and possably your life is not. Grade 8 bolts definitly not chrome as the chrome process changes the metalurgacl integrity/ weakens it
Don't know enough about what chrome process does to the bolts--- but I sure hope Harley does since they sell chromed replacement bolt kits (Chrome Hex Head Hardware Kit for Rear Belt Sprocket-94773-07) as an example. Just saying...
For me the real issue is knowing...anytime the pulley comes off...it's time for new bolts. NSCoyote is right, bolts are cheap :-)
Last edited by FreddyP; Nov 13, 2013 at 11:34 PM.