Heel shifter falls off
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 181
Likes: 1
From: Minnesnowta
Heel shifter falls off
Ok, just bought my 98 FLHTC in Sept and it had no heel shifter on it. Wife buys me one for Christmas. I put in on this spring and tighten it down real good. Last week I'm on the freeway, and I go to downshift, and nothing. I look down and the shifter is hanging by a thread between the floorboard and primary cover. Later I retighten it to the spline and about an hour later I look down and it has vibrated out along the spline. I know the allen bolt is tight but it wants to wiggle along the spline. My worry is it's going to strip the spline. Is there a long term solution to this problem?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,521
Likes: 57,072
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
I had a similar problem with my 1992 FLHTCU ... I replaced the shifter arm the first time and after a short time it was loose on the shaft. During a maintenance service I replaced the shifter arm shifter shaft #26, the shaft bushings #27 and both shifter arms #31 and #25. If was any easy repair and of course torque all bolts to spec along with a bit of Blue Loc-Tite and it'll be good as new.
http://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche....IFTER-ASSEMBLY
http://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche....IFTER-ASSEMBLY
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 737
Likes: 4
From: Scotland,UK
Fix for loose shifter arm?
Ok, just bought my 98 FLHTC in Sept and it had no heel shifter on it. Wife buys me one for Christmas. I put in on this spring and tighten it down real good. Last week I'm on the freeway, and I go to downshift, and nothing. I look down and the shifter is hanging by a thread between the floorboard and primary cover. Later I retighten it to the spline and about an hour later I look down and it has vibrated out along the spline. I know the allen bolt is tight but it wants to wiggle along the spline. My worry is it's going to strip the spline. Is there a long term solution to this problem?
The other solution (temporary)which I used,is too measure the distance from the end outer face of the shifter arm to the inside of the inner crancase. Araldite(or similar) a small circular shaped block of wood or hard rubber to the crankcase between the shifter. This should stop endplay and your shift arm coming adrift. Temporary to save $$$s.
I have often thought that a hole drilled through the screwed part of the shaft with a nut & bolt either side ,rather than a bolt only set up, will possibly be stronger. I am not sure though and I am sure many on the
forum with more knowledge than me will contribue. Bungo.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 517
Likes: 6
From: Ottawa, ON
Same problem on my 93 flhtc. When the very first shifter arm splines get stripped, they seem to be screwing up the shifter shaft splines, so even if they look alright, they'll eventually strip even the brand new arm. You hafta replace the shaft as well when you get the new arms.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,959
Likes: 2
From: Florida
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,923
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From: Deep in the heart of New Jersey
Mine fell off also. Went back and picked it up off the road. The bolt was tight as a bitch. Finally got the bolt loose and put some blue locktite on the splines,tightened it up and let it set up over night. So far so good.,
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 181
Likes: 1
From: Minnesnowta
I just blue loctited the whole thing last night. I'll watch it closely. Thanks all.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 737
Likes: 4
From: Scotland,UK
Loose shifter lever
It costs $220 + shipping. I notice that many evo owners change the standard lever fixing bolt to a Hex grade 8. That will definitely allow you to torque down a bit easier/more with a socket & extension. Not sure if you should exceed HD Torque specs for this though. Bungo.