Best and worst years for compensators?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 14,731
Likes: 2,536
From: Mountain Top, Alabama
My 2011 was in the shop a while back for abs module replacement (Warranty) and the tech had my comp bang on Him at startup, so He replaced it. He said an updated one was available and much better. Warranty covered. Replaced, and all is fine.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,160
Likes: 11,249
From: San Diego, CA
Your bike came new (OEM) with the #83935-09A compensator (formerly Screamin' Eagle Compensator).... The tech switched you to the upgraded "Rushmore" compensator, #42200064A, with the deflector that directs oil into the compensator. It is the least problematic of the newer Twin Cam compensators.... some have had issues, but certainly not the number of failures with prior "upgraded" compensator versions....
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,160
Likes: 11,249
From: San Diego, CA
Not a totally different design, but there were some good changes made, in addition to the oil deflector....
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 228
Likes: 53
From: OHIO
Many Thanks for posting this, right now I just have a couple of questions :
1) What is the number of the service kit to upgrade previous models ? ( Mine is a 2011 FLHTK )
2) Looks like you could add the kit without pulling the inner primary, clutch pack and rotor, If this is correct what would you gain ( except lubrication ) buy just adding the kit to a used clutch pack ?
( Would it tighten the compensator up enough to justify the cost / work )
3) Has there been any problems with that retainer clip falling off and causing damage ?
1) What is the number of the service kit to upgrade previous models ? ( Mine is a 2011 FLHTK )
2) Looks like you could add the kit without pulling the inner primary, clutch pack and rotor, If this is correct what would you gain ( except lubrication ) buy just adding the kit to a used clutch pack ?
( Would it tighten the compensator up enough to justify the cost / work )
3) Has there been any problems with that retainer clip falling off and causing damage ?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,160
Likes: 11,249
From: San Diego, CA
Many Thanks for posting this, right now I just have a couple of questions :
1) What is the number of the service kit to upgrade previous models ? ( Mine is a 2011 FLHTK )
It is listed in the Harley parts catalog, and will also list the fitment.....
2) Looks like you could add the kit without pulling the inner primary, clutch pack and rotor, If this is correct what would you gain ( except lubrication ) buy just adding the kit to a used clutch pack ?
( Would it tighten the compensator up enough to justify the cost / work )
Clutch pack and compensator are two totally different things with two totally different jobs..... their wear & replacement are not related to each other... On some years you need to change out the rotor, I believe you are OK with a 2011, but the instructions will tell you for sure...
3) Has there been any problems with that retainer clip falling off and causing damage ?
Retainer clip...? If you're talking about the way the deflector is added to a pre-2104 outer primary cover, I have not read/heard of any issues.... You could always buy a 2014+ outer primary cover for you bike, it will have the deflector built in to the cover...
1) What is the number of the service kit to upgrade previous models ? ( Mine is a 2011 FLHTK )
It is listed in the Harley parts catalog, and will also list the fitment.....
2) Looks like you could add the kit without pulling the inner primary, clutch pack and rotor, If this is correct what would you gain ( except lubrication ) buy just adding the kit to a used clutch pack ?
( Would it tighten the compensator up enough to justify the cost / work )
Clutch pack and compensator are two totally different things with two totally different jobs..... their wear & replacement are not related to each other... On some years you need to change out the rotor, I believe you are OK with a 2011, but the instructions will tell you for sure...
3) Has there been any problems with that retainer clip falling off and causing damage ?
Retainer clip...? If you're talking about the way the deflector is added to a pre-2104 outer primary cover, I have not read/heard of any issues.... You could always buy a 2014+ outer primary cover for you bike, it will have the deflector built in to the cover...
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 228
Likes: 53
From: OHIO
" Clutch pack and compensator are two totally different things with two totally different jobs..... their wear & replacement are not related to each other... On some years you need to change out the rotor, I believe you are OK with a 2011, but the instructions will tell you for sure... "
My bad, I meant to say spring pack instead of clutch pack .
Many Thanks for the info .
My bad, I meant to say spring pack instead of clutch pack .
Many Thanks for the info .
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 10,637
Likes: 1,246
From: Lake, Ms
Originally Posted by 67Shuv
My ‘13 is around 45K miles and sometimes I think I hear it on startup and shutdown and other times I don’t. When it’s time for mine to be swapped, I’ll put an eliminator in it and roll on. I get the purpose of the compensator but none of my old bikes had them and they’ve gone down the road for decades upon decades just dandy.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,160
Likes: 11,249
From: San Diego, CA
" Clutch pack and compensator are two totally different things with two totally different jobs..... their wear & replacement are not related to each other... On some years you need to change out the rotor, I believe you are OK with a 2011, but the instructions will tell you for sure... "
My bad, I meant to say spring pack instead of clutch pack .
Many Thanks for the info .
My bad, I meant to say spring pack instead of clutch pack .
Many Thanks for the info .
From Joe Lyons, a really good tech who owns a shop in the midwest:
"Talked to tech services yesterday and they have a new procedure for noisy comps that some people have ran into. The complete compensator will need to be removed and as it is assembled sit with the large hex facing down on the table. The depth from the top spring to the spline adapter is what needs to be measured. The spec. is .286"-.326". If it is less than .286" then there are spacers that can be used to add more preloaded. These spacers are .031" each and I believe a max of two can be used but possibly 3. The spacer PN is 1030021."
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