Softail balancer issue?
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 82
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From: Maryville, TN
Softail balancer issue?
I have a 2005 night train.
I was riding home from work Wednesday morning and starting hearing a noise in my lower on the bike. I didn't ride in Wednesday night and when I got off Thursday morning I did a little research. I thought it might be a loose chain, but I also read about loose compensator nuts. So I opened up the primary to tighten up the chain and check the compensator. When I did, I found a plastic item that turned out to be a chain locking tool:
That was a surprise. I bout this bike a year ago used from the dealer. I assume the original owner may have done something that required this and forgot it when putting the bike back together?
anyhow...
The chain was a little loose, but nothing bad. I took off the compensator nut and cleaned up the threads, then torqued it down to 165 ft lbs. It looked fine. I fired it up and it is still making the same noise. I took it to the dealer Thursday evening. They finally got around to working on it this afternoon. There is a big group in here from out of town and I told them I would be fine if they had to put me on the back burner for someone out of town. Tonight I get a call saying they checked the compensator and clutch and everything looked good. They then pulled the engine drain plug and found metal shavings. They now think it is possibly the balancer. I did the service at 5k using all HD oils and filters. It has only been ~3,500 miles since I did the last one.
I cannot find anyone discussing issues with a bad balancer. What are the chances they are wrong and it could be something else? I'm worried it might be the cam tensioners failed and caused problems, but I have only about 1 year experience with Harleys.
I was riding home from work Wednesday morning and starting hearing a noise in my lower on the bike. I didn't ride in Wednesday night and when I got off Thursday morning I did a little research. I thought it might be a loose chain, but I also read about loose compensator nuts. So I opened up the primary to tighten up the chain and check the compensator. When I did, I found a plastic item that turned out to be a chain locking tool:
That was a surprise. I bout this bike a year ago used from the dealer. I assume the original owner may have done something that required this and forgot it when putting the bike back together?
anyhow...
The chain was a little loose, but nothing bad. I took off the compensator nut and cleaned up the threads, then torqued it down to 165 ft lbs. It looked fine. I fired it up and it is still making the same noise. I took it to the dealer Thursday evening. They finally got around to working on it this afternoon. There is a big group in here from out of town and I told them I would be fine if they had to put me on the back burner for someone out of town. Tonight I get a call saying they checked the compensator and clutch and everything looked good. They then pulled the engine drain plug and found metal shavings. They now think it is possibly the balancer. I did the service at 5k using all HD oils and filters. It has only been ~3,500 miles since I did the last one.
I cannot find anyone discussing issues with a bad balancer. What are the chances they are wrong and it could be something else? I'm worried it might be the cam tensioners failed and caused problems, but I have only about 1 year experience with Harleys.
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
since you didn't input any additional info, it'd be hard to give much info back to ya.
My first thoughts would be Cam tensioners, but not knowing the history or miles on your bike.. that would only be a guess..
do you know if any engine work has been done on her already..??
My first thoughts would be Cam tensioners, but not knowing the history or miles on your bike.. that would only be a guess..
do you know if any engine work has been done on her already..??
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
Likes: 19,811
From: Centennial, CO
Tensioners are easy enough to check. Pull off your front pipe and then the cam cover. You'll lose a little oil doing this and it is messy cuz it drips all over your frame. One tensioner is right in front for you to see, the other you'll need a small dental mirror to see behind the plate. If you don't have a factory service manual, get one, worth the $60.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 6,322
Likes: 2,500
From: Tennessee
I've seen the balancers go out, it's not pretty in some cases, you got lucky.
The balancers are just one more reason, on top of all of the other reasons to never buy a Softail.
At least they didn't grenade the engine cases.
The balancers are just one more reason, on top of all of the other reasons to never buy a Softail.
At least they didn't grenade the engine cases.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,620
Likes: 1,091
From: Eastern IA
How many miles total on your bike ?
As QC explains you need to keep an eye on those tensions even if they don't turn out to be the issue 05 / 88ci still the old style unless they have been updated or gear drive cams were put in by the PO.
As QC explains you need to keep an eye on those tensions even if they don't turn out to be the issue 05 / 88ci still the old style unless they have been updated or gear drive cams were put in by the PO.
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Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Maryville, TN
It just went over 30,000 miles. At ~27,500 I pulled the cover off and checked the tensioners and they had more than half the plastic on them. I was planning to have them changed to a gear drive cam set close to the end of the year when I figured it would be time for about the 35,000 mile mark. As far as I know there hasn't been anything changed internally on the engine.
I'm hoping that the cam tensioners are the issue and that nothing else has been messed up. At least that is the devil I understand. I went by today and they said they should have the engine open tomorrow and talk to the Warranty people as well for coverage. Luckily when I bought it last year I took a 3 year service agreement. I'll consider myself lucky if I just have to buy a Screaming Eagle oil pump kit to replace the tensioners. Unlucky is a whole new engine.
I'm hoping that the cam tensioners are the issue and that nothing else has been messed up. At least that is the devil I understand. I went by today and they said they should have the engine open tomorrow and talk to the Warranty people as well for coverage. Luckily when I bought it last year I took a 3 year service agreement. I'll consider myself lucky if I just have to buy a Screaming Eagle oil pump kit to replace the tensioners. Unlucky is a whole new engine.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: Eastern IA
If there's anything major wrong it's usually more cost effective for the dealer to go the re-man route on the motor which isn't a bad thing assuming it's warranted .......
http://www.harley-davidson.com/conte...facturing.html