3rd gear slipping
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,863
Likes: 7,981
From: poway
I’m getting some slipping in 3rd and 4th gear on my 13’ FLHTK (only when I get on it really hard) with 16k miles on it. I’m the 3rd owner. I changed all the fluids (and adjusted the clutch) on it when I purchased it earlier this year. My first thought is …slipping is caused by a worn out clutch? Seems like everyone else on here says it’s more than that?
curious how you make out with yours.
curious how you make out with yours.
Does it make a grinding sound while things are slipping?
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 202
Likes: 96
From: Pocono Mtns
Not that I can hear. Only happens when I really twist the throttle…engine revs…but no acceleration…I let off and roll on the throttle slower and it goes.
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 6
Likes: 2
From: Boca Raton, Fl
I found out that my 3rd gear slipping was due to a defective transmission. After they took it apart, they found that it would not lock in place due to the way it was put together. I only had 11,000 miles
Last edited by darvinlowens03; Sep 8, 2022 at 01:47 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,863
Likes: 7,981
From: poway
Is it OK in 5th?
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 202
Likes: 96
From: Pocono Mtns
That’s is kind of what I’m thinking. Clutches are relatively cheap and easy to replace. I’ll start there.
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 6
Likes: 2
From: Boca Raton, Fl
Sorry,, but transmissions can and do slip out of gear. If it is slipping in all gears, it is the clutch. If it is slipping in only one gear, it's the transmission
Last edited by darvinlowens03; Sep 8, 2022 at 01:50 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 202
Likes: 96
From: Pocono Mtns
Maybe it’s different but when clutches went in standard cars that I’ve owned they started slipping in the high gears first.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,923
Likes: 587
From: Alorton, Illinois
What I suspect and what I find with third gear. It's either popping out of or slipping out of gear on hard accel because dogs are rounded. I suggest a stock gear set and send it to R&D to get back cut and heat treated. You can also see how it cracked the dog ring.
Last edited by hrdtail78; Sep 8, 2022 at 02:15 PM.
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 6
Likes: 2
From: Boca Raton, Fl
mine would slip out of 3rd gear whenever I add power. it will stay in place if you are easy with the gas after shifting into 3rd. Otherwise, I was just riding and skipping 3rd gear going from 2 to 4th and it would pull out with no strain on the engine. People usually slow cruise in 3rd or 4th gear, which could also weaken that gear.
Last edited by darvinlowens03; Sep 8, 2022 at 02:56 PM.