rocker box gasket replacement??
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 734
Likes: 0
From: Southern Missouri ( ozarks)
I did my ole 92 Ultra and my 98 Road King.No big deal.I used Cometic on both and no issues.The ratchet is nice,a buddy had one i used but a cut down allen works as well.Loosen your tank at the end your workin on,raise it as high as it will go.If all 3 gaskets are leaking,do all 3 while you're in there.You may be lucky and just the top 2 rubber pieces are leaking.In the meantime,try to tighten them a little, might help.Also,loosen the bolts a little at a time in a crisscross kinda way.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Thought I would let you know that I decided to go up to harley today to buy the gaskets (21.00 for all three and bolts). I got the upper, middle and lower rubber gaskets for the rear rocker box. I cut down an alen like every said to do and went to work. 30 minutes later the bike was up and running with no leaks. Took her for a 30 mile ride and no problems. On a side note, my ticking went away? I have no idea if it was something loose or if it was a gasket leaking.
Jack
Jack
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,872
Likes: 83
From: Canton, Michigan
Well, it's good that you got the leak stopped. Did you happen to check the boxes for warpage? The middle one is most prone to it, and when it warps, it's time for a new one. The acid test for any rocker box repair, is to take the bike out for an hour or so ride at 70 mph. At that speed there is a large volume of oil in the boxes, and any bad seals will easily show up.
If you notice a lack of 'ticking', it probably was air being blown past the gasket. Which makes me wonder if there was any warpage. Take the boxes apart, grab a piece of glass, and set the individual boxes on it. See if they 'wiggle'. If one does, it's time for a replacement. Do yourself a HUGE favor, and pony up for the Genuine HD ones (they are sold as individual pieces), as the aftermarket crap is pure crap (yes there is a painful story here). I don't know about high end boxes from people like S&S or JIMS.
If you notice a lack of 'ticking', it probably was air being blown past the gasket. Which makes me wonder if there was any warpage. Take the boxes apart, grab a piece of glass, and set the individual boxes on it. See if they 'wiggle'. If one does, it's time for a replacement. Do yourself a HUGE favor, and pony up for the Genuine HD ones (they are sold as individual pieces), as the aftermarket crap is pure crap (yes there is a painful story here). I don't know about high end boxes from people like S&S or JIMS.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Thanks for the advice on the warpage....but untill I see any sign of weeping, Im not gonna touch her.
It's been a few hundred miles now of highway and city, which is a good acid test for my normal riding and so far so good!
One thing I was just thinking about is if there is warping and it's common, the rubber gasket harley sold me was pretty thick vs the old flat cork one that I pulled out. So maybe they had one designed to allow for a little more tolerence?
Jack
It's been a few hundred miles now of highway and city, which is a good acid test for my normal riding and so far so good!
One thing I was just thinking about is if there is warping and it's common, the rubber gasket harley sold me was pretty thick vs the old flat cork one that I pulled out. So maybe they had one designed to allow for a little more tolerence?
Jack
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
I just did this repair 2 weeks ago, 1K on her this past week, GTG. My lower box was a bit warped and I honed her down to flat.
The new HD one piece metal gasket with a bit of rubber on it is probably better than the paper gaskets, and more forgiving if there is slight warping.
Surprised you did not find the many post related to this. Well done and safe riding.
The new HD one piece metal gasket with a bit of rubber on it is probably better than the paper gaskets, and more forgiving if there is slight warping.
Surprised you did not find the many post related to this. Well done and safe riding.
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