SE ac back plate is garbage
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 44
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From: Murrieta, CA
SE ac back plate is garbage
i have the zippers high flow kit on my bike and had no problems until today. i went to take the filter off for a routine clean and oil, and the damn back plate (HD part#29478-05A) had stress fractures on all three of the holes mounting the filter to the back plate. i took the bolts off to get a better look at how bad it was and it fell apart. i searched for threads but only found similar complaints on the ness sucker ac kits.
from the looks of it, this thing was made out of the metal equivalent of particle board. i know others must have encountered this. what can i do to prevent history from repeating itself the next go round? different part? new kit?
from the looks of it, this thing was made out of the metal equivalent of particle board. i know others must have encountered this. what can i do to prevent history from repeating itself the next go round? different part? new kit?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,863
Likes: 172
From: Clarksville, TN
The Vance and Hines kits have a powder coated steel back plate. I don't think you'll have any issues with it. Alot of the other kits have the pot metal/die cast back plate like the Harley one.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9,282
Likes: 1,139
From: southeast PA
I've had the Ness setup for the last 15,000 miles. It's been on and off a few times, plus the times I've inspected it when oiling the filter, and never saw any kind of cracking. It is possible to over tighten those plates so that might be a cause.
You're right, it's not the best material but at the time I bought it price was an issue.
You're right, it's not the best material but at the time I bought it price was an issue.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,289
Likes: 22
From: Beautiful Downtown Burbank
I've had the Ness setup for the last 15,000 miles. It's been on and off a few times, plus the times I've inspected it when oiling the filter, and never saw any kind of cracking. It is possible to over tighten those plates so that might be a cause.
You're right, it's not the best material but at the time I bought it price was an issue.
You're right, it's not the best material but at the time I bought it price was an issue.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Murrieta, CA
thanks for the input fellas.
not sure if over tightening was the culprit in my case but i can see how it wouldn't take a great deal of torque to make this part break. i figure its cheap enough to give it another shot but if it breaks again i'll be looking for another option. i guess i'll just be sure to go easy on the torque and rely on the loctite to keep everything in place.
not sure if over tightening was the culprit in my case but i can see how it wouldn't take a great deal of torque to make this part break. i figure its cheap enough to give it another shot but if it breaks again i'll be looking for another option. i guess i'll just be sure to go easy on the torque and rely on the loctite to keep everything in place.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,955
Likes: 6
From: Little Rock
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: along the shore of Mishigami
I'm going to presume the discussion is about the three bolts that are screwed into the back plate, and the filter is attached to these three bolts/fasteners. I've tighten mine down and used blue loctite to prevent them from backing out. Have the same setup on both bikes and no problems since installation years ago. Maybe the torque spec is too tight?
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