06 softail deluxe mysterious grinding
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Stage IV
Joined: Mar 2026
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From: Layton utah
06 softail deluxe mysterious grinding
Hello,
I have a 2006 softail deluxe 88ci that has a weird grinding noise. It doesnt do it at a cold idle, but once I ride it and idle at a light or before I turn off the ignition, it happens. It is very inconsistent as it doesnt continuously grind. Also, it sounds sort of like an intake taking in air. Ive been trying to figure this out for months. Any ideas would help. Thanks.
I have a 2006 softail deluxe 88ci that has a weird grinding noise. It doesnt do it at a cold idle, but once I ride it and idle at a light or before I turn off the ignition, it happens. It is very inconsistent as it doesnt continuously grind. Also, it sounds sort of like an intake taking in air. Ive been trying to figure this out for months. Any ideas would help. Thanks.
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Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Honah Lee
Your model may or may not have link chains on cam shafts. The tensioners never stop wearing unlike those with roller chains. Probably doesn't.
Get you a Harbour Freight 2 ear mechanic's stethoscope. You can pinpoint the issue. Noise travels all over and doing the old screwdriver method to the ear is not very accurate.
The stethoscope will definitely here the link chains dragging across the metal pin that holds the tensioners if the delrin shoe broke or wear thru
Since it does it hot, probably in primary. The drive that drives the balance cams is hydraulic and pretty reliable.
Get you a Harbour Freight 2 ear mechanic's stethoscope. You can pinpoint the issue. Noise travels all over and doing the old screwdriver method to the ear is not very accurate.
The stethoscope will definitely here the link chains dragging across the metal pin that holds the tensioners if the delrin shoe broke or wear thru
Since it does it hot, probably in primary. The drive that drives the balance cams is hydraulic and pretty reliable.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Mar 17, 2026 at 12:09 PM.
Thread Starter
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Stage IV
Joined: Mar 2026
Posts: 4
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From: Layton utah
awesome, thanks for the input
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Stage IV
Joined: Mar 2026
Posts: 4
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From: Layton utah
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,610
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From: Southconsin
I have an 06 Deluxe also, pull your cam chest cover and take a look. It's an 06 so it has the older cam chain tensioner. Watch some 06 deluxe cam chain videos on youtube. Post some photos.
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Stage II
Joined: Oct 2020
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From: jamestown,ri
2006 efi deluxe 7000 mi
Hello,
I have a 2006 softail deluxe 88ci that has a weird grinding noise. It doesnt do it at a cold idle, but once I ride it and idle at a light or before I turn off the ignition, it happens. It is very inconsistent as it doesnt continuously grind. Also, it sounds sort of like an intake taking in air. Ive been trying to figure this out for months. Any ideas would help. Thanks.
I have a 2006 softail deluxe 88ci that has a weird grinding noise. It doesnt do it at a cold idle, but once I ride it and idle at a light or before I turn off the ignition, it happens. It is very inconsistent as it doesnt continuously grind. Also, it sounds sort of like an intake taking in air. Ive been trying to figure this out for months. Any ideas would help. Thanks.
ted b
