The "problem years" were 1999-2007 on Touring and Softail, 1999-2006 on Dyna. Everything 2007 and newer will have the hydraulic system. The wear depicted above is completely normal, any additional wear will occur at an extremely slow rate now that the rollers are making contact with the tensioner shoes.
My inner cam bearings went through my engine at 31k - wasted it. A friend doesn't push as hard as I do got 46k
and inner cam bearings trashed his too. Fwiw.
Both engines destroyed? How much did it cost to fix?
To me, that looks like pretty heavy wear for 36k on the new style tensioners. I looked at my outer at 50k. I could hardly even catch a fingernail on the grooves. Are you guys using Harley oil? Mine gets 15W50 Mobil 1 (not the $$$ V-twin stuff) every 5k.
Last edited by maydaymike; 03-06-2019 at 07:26 AM.
Good post Mayday Mike. The more i look into this i see a very wide range of results. Some report theirs are completly destroyed and others like yours barely a scratch. I am interested in getting in there and seeing the inner shoe. I picked up some parts from the dealer yeaterday and as i showed them mine they were surprised as well for only 36k miles. I have the heartland tools and torringtin bearings coming as well i am going to install the rockout inserts now that everything is opened up. I did look at this outer shoe at 20k miles and it was hardly scratched. I have not changed anything at all over time. Same oil same frequency if changes, this bike is all stock no mods. When i get at the inner shoe i will post a picture. I use amsoil v twin and change every 4-5 miles.
Last edited by Salmo pass; 03-06-2019 at 09:11 AM.
Reason: Missed a commentary
I thought all the 2007's had the new shoes? Didn't the baggers and softails have them? I have a 2007 Street Glide. I don't have the "new" system?
You have the hydraulic setup. The years for spring tensioners were 1999-2006, with the exception of 2006 Dyna. 2007 and later for all others went hydraulic.
Very recently checked the tensioner shoes (the outer ones anyway) on my 08 FXDL with 30k miles. The surface
was barely scratched. I think I'm good for at LEAST another 30k.
03-04-2019, 01:06 PM
