Has anyone had any experience with their tensioners going out or needing to be replaced. I have a 03 Road King Classic with 40,000 miles on it. The dealer says they should be checked and replaced if worn badly. They said it would be cheaper to install adjustable pushrods. Do I need to worry about these tensioners now before a 1,500 mile trip or (as my friend recommends wait till they go out) I have extended warrenty to cover this problem. Thanks for your comments.[sm=feedback.gif]

 

Are you talking about the Primary Cam chain tensioner?

 

I'm not sure what you are talking about, but if it is something critical, I would have it done, if needed, before embarking on a 1,500 mile trip. Don't make any difference what the warranty pays for or doesn't when you are a few hundred miles from home and your perfect vacation is interrupted by a breakdown that could have been prevented with a little maintainance.

Just an opinion.

Regards,

Bill

 

Im not sure which tensioner you are talking about. But if youre talking about the primary chain tensioner I have seen this go south on a RK with 20k miles. Find out it was actually due to a worn compensating sprocket allowing the chain to skip a tooth once in a while and that would cause the tensioner to snap in half. After the second tensioner shoe we figured it out by diving in a little deeper. But if you have a worn one chnge it now before it brakes something else. They are made from soft material for a reason.[sm=icon_stickpoke.gif]

 

Wait till it breaks and let warranty pay up...

 

My 2003 FLHTCI has a broke primary chain tensioner at 45K so yes, change them before that.

 

The cam chain tensioners are one of the weakest points of the twin cam engine (before '07 that is). Yes - they should be checked and replaced and the adjustable pushrods will save you money in labor. The '07's, btw, have gotten around this problem by using a different type of chain, one that won't grind away the nylon pads along with hydraulic tensioners. However, the HD engineers have seen fit to use plain bearing (parent material) bushings in the cam plate - another problem which will surface in a couple years.

 

I have no idea how could anyone could arrive at the conclusion the poster means his "primary chain tensioner" when his post refers to adjustable pushrods???
It ought to be crystal clear that he is referring to the cam chain tensioners.

I have an '05 RK Classic. My tensioners were shot and replaced at just under 19K miles when my dealer replaced the 'bad' '05 valve guides on my TC.
I'd want to have 'em looked at, at least.


CN

 

Mine failed at about 55k on my 99 Ultra. I took them apart again at 110k to check them. They had a little wear, but could have been used another season or two. I replaced them, the chains, and outer bearings as a precaution since I was already in there. A friend had his go at about 35k. I dealer I know said that most of the ones that fail come from lugging the engine. Sound logical. see ya Ken

 

If there is any doubt change the tensioners,you do not want the aggrevation on the road.The only real cure is a gear drive,the pushrods will not change a thing as far as wear goes.