Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Push Rod question...????

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 22, 2013 | 01:10 AM
  #1  
Lang47's Avatar
Lang47
Thread Starter
|
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: rhode island
Question Push Rod question...????

hello everyone, im new here and new to softails, so bare with me. ok, so I just got a 93 heritage classic and there is oil leaking out of the push rod tubes. the tops are leaking not the bottoms. it looks like to me that the collars aren't seated right, which I think is because the seals probably aren't seated right either. anyway, my question is. whats the best way to change the seals. im assuming you have to remove the rocker boxes, but I don't want to do this. im already working on a project. so im thinking of cutting them out and putting in the ones that can go in without removing the rockers. so which ones do I need and is this the right thing to do? thanks.

p.s. expect more questions
 
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2013 | 06:01 AM
  #2  
QC's Avatar
QC
Seasoned HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
Likes: 19,810
From: Centennial, CO
Default

Do you have a factory service manual? You can remove the pushrods by cutting them in half. Then replace with an adjustable set of your choice. Get the tubes made for adjustables as well. They aren't absolutely necessary, but do make the job easier. You will get many opinions on which ones to get, do your research.
 
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2013 | 08:24 AM
  #3  
Lang47's Avatar
Lang47
Thread Starter
|
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: rhode island
Default

awesome! thank you!
 
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2013 | 01:19 PM
  #4  
hattitude's Avatar
hattitude
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 10
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,064
Likes: 11,083
From: San Diego, CA
Default

You could also remove the clips, slide the tubes up/down and inspect the rubber o-rings that seal the tubes. It's possible one just got pinched/unseated. You might be able to re-seat them and have them seal.... not likely, but doesn't cost anything to check....

Worth trying before buying adjustable pushrods or pulling the rockers to remove the OEM pushrods.

Good luck....
 
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2013 | 02:46 PM
  #5  
Lang47's Avatar
Lang47
Thread Starter
|
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: rhode island
Default

well it turns out that the push rod tube covers were on wrong. I knew something didn't look right. so I studied it and then it hit me they had the collar at the top instead of in the middle. I re-did them so hopefully the seals weren't mashed up. I felt them and they felt ok but we'll see when I start it. thanks everyone!
 
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2013 | 05:42 PM
  #6  
fcsallan's Avatar
fcsallan
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 4
From: Sunny South Florida
Default

IF something that simple was done wrong, I would go over the rest of the bike real soon.
 
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2013 | 11:54 PM
  #7  
hattitude's Avatar
hattitude
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 10
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,064
Likes: 11,083
From: San Diego, CA
Default

Originally Posted by Lang47
well it turns out that the push rod tube covers were on wrong. I knew something didn't look right. so I studied it and then it hit me they had the collar at the top instead of in the middle. I re-did them so hopefully the seals weren't mashed up. I felt them and they felt ok but we'll see when I start it. thanks everyone!

Glad it was a simple fix....!! Good luck on the start up...


Originally Posted by fcsallan
IF something that simple was done wrong, I would go over the rest of the bike real soon.

I hope it's the only thing that needs fixin...!!
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
MMH
Dyna Glide Models
23
Sep 9, 2018 01:14 PM
flhchaz
EVO
5
Aug 29, 2017 08:34 PM
docsouce
Ironhead
7
Apr 6, 2015 11:14 AM
PatientlyPersistant
Sportster Models
2
Jul 6, 2011 10:04 PM
chateau
Touring Models
4
May 27, 2011 06:43 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:31 PM.

story-0
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-3
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-4
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-5
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-8
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025

Slideshow: A clear-eyed look at what actually worked for Harley this year, and what quietly undermined its progress.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-29 17:10:48


VIEW MORE