Cam tensioner heartaches!!!!
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,694
Likes: 462
Originally Posted by Brettfullthrottlemn
Thinking of going with the cyco tensioners. These tensioners lasted 43k. Gonna have to hang on to the bike for awhile to get my money out of it after this!
Ordering a Haynes manual today. I'll pull the head. Going to bring the head into a machine shop. I will probably do the belt myself. Pay someone to do the tensioners.
Ordering a Haynes manual today. I'll pull the head. Going to bring the head into a machine shop. I will probably do the belt myself. Pay someone to do the tensioners.
If your comfortable pulling the head yourself, you should have no trouble changing the cam chain tensioners.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,086
Likes: 1,128
From:
Checked my cam tensioners on a new (to me) 2003 ultra. Thought I would save the shop fees ($75.00) and check them myself. Well....broke the inner front exhaust stud, cracked my exhaust pipe and now I'm not sure if I should go any farther!!!!! Ugh!!!!
I fear that I might really screw something up! I thought I could turn a wrench but now I'm wondering.the tensioners are Definately bad! (Previouse owner said it had been done. It also needs a belt.pulley sure he knew that!)
Had someone tell me to button it up and send it down the road to someone else. Not my style. I'll either fix it out have an Indy do it. Thoughts?
I fear that I might really screw something up! I thought I could turn a wrench but now I'm wondering.the tensioners are Definately bad! (Previouse owner said it had been done. It also needs a belt.pulley sure he knew that!)
Had someone tell me to button it up and send it down the road to someone else. Not my style. I'll either fix it out have an Indy do it. Thoughts?
It happens.
Sometimes welding a nut to stud will get it out with using ATF fluid and acetone to help lubricate/release the hold.
How much stud is exposed?
The exhaust pipe crack would require further review as to cause.
Was it the cross over pipe? The one with the L-bracket at transmission support?
The cross over pipe is a common pipe that gets cracked.
I will guess you have the real Harley service manual.
Below is a link to help you identify parts in the future..just enter year , then model, the look for part diagram.
http://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche.....asp?make=hdmc
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 1,320
From: Good roads, cold beer
Checked my cam tensioners on a new (to me) 2003 ultra. Thought I would save the shop fees ($75.00) and check them myself. Well....broke the inner front exhaust stud, cracked my exhaust pipe and now I'm not sure if I should go any farther!!!!! Ugh!!!!
I fear that I might really screw something up! I thought I could turn a wrench but now I'm wondering.the tensioners are Definately bad! (Previouse owner said it had been done. It also needs a belt.pulley sure he knew that!)
Had someone tell me to button it up and send it down the road to someone else. Not my style. I'll either fix it out have an Indy do it. Thoughts?
I fear that I might really screw something up! I thought I could turn a wrench but now I'm wondering.the tensioners are Definately bad! (Previouse owner said it had been done. It also needs a belt.pulley sure he knew that!)
Had someone tell me to button it up and send it down the road to someone else. Not my style. I'll either fix it out have an Indy do it. Thoughts?
St Croix HD used to pick up bikes in the Cities for free (as you pay them to work on them). Worth a call. Shop rates lower in winter.
03 prob has some old bolts. PB Blaster - worth picking up a bottle.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,416
Likes: 317
From: CA
Bingo - PB Blaster or even good old WD40. And finesse. If it's not coming off, there's a reason.
With some creative searches (and a good anti-virus) you can find the factory service manual online but it's very nice to have a hard copy.
With some creative searches (and a good anti-virus) you can find the factory service manual online but it's very nice to have a hard copy.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,984
Likes: 5,220
From: Michigan
I agree with a few previous posts.
The "Y" pipe is a common failure and everyone should check theirs occasionally.
Mine was cracked on my 2000 Ultra and I had no idea as to how long it may have been that way.
My 2000 T/C had 39,000 miles on it when I had my OEM cam chain adjusters replaced when I had a "95" Big Bore Kit installed and they were needing replacement. However, I met one guy that blew up his dealer maintained T/C 88 ('03 Fat Boy) at 25,000 miles.
If you're replacing cam chain adjusters and you can afford to do so, I'd also recommend going with the S/E Hyd Kit as you also get a HO oil pump an depending on your mileage, I may be a good time for other things you may need or want to such as new cams, lifters, etc.
I had this kit installed in mine at 75,000 miles but in hindsight I should have had it done the first time.
Don't sweat your screw-ups. We've all done it before and more than likely we'll do it many more times in the future.
The "Y" pipe is a common failure and everyone should check theirs occasionally.
Mine was cracked on my 2000 Ultra and I had no idea as to how long it may have been that way.
My 2000 T/C had 39,000 miles on it when I had my OEM cam chain adjusters replaced when I had a "95" Big Bore Kit installed and they were needing replacement. However, I met one guy that blew up his dealer maintained T/C 88 ('03 Fat Boy) at 25,000 miles.
If you're replacing cam chain adjusters and you can afford to do so, I'd also recommend going with the S/E Hyd Kit as you also get a HO oil pump an depending on your mileage, I may be a good time for other things you may need or want to such as new cams, lifters, etc.
I had this kit installed in mine at 75,000 miles but in hindsight I should have had it done the first time.
Don't sweat your screw-ups. We've all done it before and more than likely we'll do it many more times in the future.
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