TC88 Cam-Bearing Problems
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 153
From: Utah
There has always been discussion about this issue. I have never known someone that actually had a problem, however. Is this all a lot of talk with a few random real world occurances? I don't know...
I have also heard (and agree with) that replacing the cams with gear driven cams is overkill. The precise timing that is required for professional racing just isn't that big an issue on the street and you put up with more noise and considerable expense.
It is my understanding that you can convert the old tensioner design to a new one that uses a more dependable approach when your shoes finally do wear out. With proper maintenance and regular oil changes it seems the consensus is to get them looked at at around 50k and plan on replacement at about 75k. When the tensioner shoe goes you will know it because the bike will start running like crap. That doesn't mean it will explode however. If I had 50k on my bike and I was planning on a really long trip (the four corners, say) then I would proceed with the replacement. I have 45k on mine and haven't had any problems yet.
C#
I have also heard (and agree with) that replacing the cams with gear driven cams is overkill. The precise timing that is required for professional racing just isn't that big an issue on the street and you put up with more noise and considerable expense.
It is my understanding that you can convert the old tensioner design to a new one that uses a more dependable approach when your shoes finally do wear out. With proper maintenance and regular oil changes it seems the consensus is to get them looked at at around 50k and plan on replacement at about 75k. When the tensioner shoe goes you will know it because the bike will start running like crap. That doesn't mean it will explode however. If I had 50k on my bike and I was planning on a really long trip (the four corners, say) then I would proceed with the replacement. I have 45k on mine and haven't had any problems yet.
C#
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,624
Likes: 189
From: Newcastle, Ca.
Random or not - it happens. Why do you think HD changed to the hydraulic tensioners? If you are an unlucky one, your motor will not only "run like crap", it can become crap.
The tensioner pic I posted from my 06 will not last 50k miles. Glad I know the tensioners condition now verses when "the bike will start running like crap"... lol
btw - you may want to speak with HD regarding how often tensioners should be checked. Every 50k miles seems on the high side. It would be irresponsible to misinform some one and their tensioners never make it to 50K
The tensioner pic I posted from my 06 will not last 50k miles. Glad I know the tensioners condition now verses when "the bike will start running like crap"... lol
btw - you may want to speak with HD regarding how often tensioners should be checked. Every 50k miles seems on the high side. It would be irresponsible to misinform some one and their tensioners never make it to 50K
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
There has always been discussion about this issue. I have never known someone that actually had a problem, however. Is this all a lot of talk with a few random real world occurances? I don't know...
I have also heard (and agree with) that replacing the cams with gear driven cams is overkill. The precise timing that is required for professional racing just isn't that big an issue on the street and you put up with more noise and considerable expense.
It is my understanding that you can convert the old tensioner design to a new one that uses a more dependable approach when your shoes finally do wear out. With proper maintenance and regular oil changes it seems the consensus is to get them looked at at around 50k and plan on replacement at about 75k. When the tensioner shoe goes you will know it because the bike will start running like crap. That doesn't mean it will explode however. If I had 50k on my bike and I was planning on a really long trip (the four corners, say) then I would proceed with the replacement. I have 45k on mine and haven't had any problems yet.
C#
I have also heard (and agree with) that replacing the cams with gear driven cams is overkill. The precise timing that is required for professional racing just isn't that big an issue on the street and you put up with more noise and considerable expense.
It is my understanding that you can convert the old tensioner design to a new one that uses a more dependable approach when your shoes finally do wear out. With proper maintenance and regular oil changes it seems the consensus is to get them looked at at around 50k and plan on replacement at about 75k. When the tensioner shoe goes you will know it because the bike will start running like crap. That doesn't mean it will explode however. If I had 50k on my bike and I was planning on a really long trip (the four corners, say) then I would proceed with the replacement. I have 45k on mine and haven't had any problems yet.
C#
I don't think anybody in this thread was trying to convince the OP to go to a gear drive. Heck, the thread wasn't even about tensioner wear. With that said, if you are swapping cams, going to gears doesn't add that much expense, particularly if your tensioners were shot....Overkill or not. I certainly know that not worrying about tensioners any more is worth the extra $$ to me.
Oil changes ain't got nothing to do with tensioner wear, nor does brand or type of oil. Tensioner wear is a crapshoot. You don't know that anything is wrong until it is too late sometimes. I'd rather look at them and have to buy a gasket than to wait until it was too late and my oil pump was trashed...Roll the dice and ride yours till 50k before you look at them. You may get lucky.
These tensioners came out of a concervatively ridden, well maintained Ultra with 36k miles on it. I certainly wouldn't want to ride to 50k on them.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 153
From: Utah
What I said was 'have them checked after 50k miles' is what more than one knowledgeable wrench has told me. If you have bad ones they will show up earlier, of course. If your bike runs like crap you stop running it and find out what caused it. Of course continuing to run the bike after they fail will potentially cause damage to the engine. As you can see in the thumbnail, they don't necessarily wear evenly. You can only inspect, I believe, the outer tensioners without pulling the cam... but I haven't gotten to this problem, yet, so I'm no expert. I read a pretty good article in VTwin magazine where polishing the chains so that they don't have sharp edges was recommended. Since then, better chain design... then better tensioner design. While I agree that Harley tends to deny design failures, I still have not seen nor heard >a first hand account in person< of a single case of these failing before 50k. Changing and improving a design does not mean that the previously used design was a failure.
I have also seen pictures of these with 75k on them an barely any wear. I agree that this is a crap shoot but responsibly addressing a poor running engine will avoid a catastrophe... which means call a tow truck and take it to the shop. I have also heard people complain about not being able to keep the adjustable push rods adjusted within tolerance. Who knows... Me, I'm going with the improved tensioner design instead of gear driven cams because my pipes aren't that loud.
C#
I have also seen pictures of these with 75k on them an barely any wear. I agree that this is a crap shoot but responsibly addressing a poor running engine will avoid a catastrophe... which means call a tow truck and take it to the shop. I have also heard people complain about not being able to keep the adjustable push rods adjusted within tolerance. Who knows... Me, I'm going with the improved tensioner design instead of gear driven cams because my pipes aren't that loud.
C#
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 990
Likes: 3
From: lakeside ca.
went to gear drive at 32 thou miles shoes had minimal wear but now it's good to go as long as I am. had a friend that had the front cam bearing go on his and harley said sorry no warrenty. another had it go on a new bike on the way back from vegas after oicking up the bike -rear bearing that was ok by harley. take your chances or get it fixed now before it's tow truck time..
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10
Likes: 5
From: Maryville, TN
Cam Chain Tensioner 1999 EG Classic
What I said was 'have them checked after 50k miles' is what more than one knowledgeable wrench has told me. If you have bad ones they will show up earlier, of course. If your bike runs like crap you stop running it and find out what caused it. Of course continuing to run the bike after they fail will potentially cause damage to the engine. As you can see in the thumbnail, they don't necessarily wear evenly. You can only inspect, I believe, the outer tensioners without pulling the cam... but I haven't gotten to this problem, yet, so I'm no expert. I read a pretty good article in VTwin magazine where polishing the chains so that they don't have sharp edges was recommended. Since then, better chain design... then better tensioner design. While I agree that Harley tends to deny design failures, I still have not seen nor heard >a first hand account in person< of a single case of these failing before 50k. Changing and improving a design does not mean that the previously used design was a failure.
I have also seen pictures of these with 75k on them an barely any wear. I agree that this is a crap shoot but responsibly addressing a poor running engine will avoid a catastrophe... which means call a tow truck and take it to the shop. I have also heard people complain about not being able to keep the adjustable push rods adjusted within tolerance. Who knows... Me, I'm going with the improved tensioner design instead of gear driven cams because my pipes aren't that loud.
C#
I have also seen pictures of these with 75k on them an barely any wear. I agree that this is a crap shoot but responsibly addressing a poor running engine will avoid a catastrophe... which means call a tow truck and take it to the shop. I have also heard people complain about not being able to keep the adjustable push rods adjusted within tolerance. Who knows... Me, I'm going with the improved tensioner design instead of gear driven cams because my pipes aren't that loud.
C#
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highwayking
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May 15, 2006 03:55 AM
