Cam Chain Tensioners
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 329
Likes: 1
From: Oldsmar, FL
My '05 Wide Glide is in the shop right now. At 33k, they took a dump. I have an extended warranty on the bike, and was told that the warranty would not cover wear replacement, but only replacement in the event of total failure. So that's what I did. Luckily I have another bike to ride while I'm waiting, but you can be sure I will have the tensioners in that bike checked when this one is done (no warranty left on the '99 RK).
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,142
Likes: 7
From: Michigan
Placing an order for a PCiii, then i'll get the cam i want (as well as items necessary for install, bearings etc), adjustable pushrods, and then have it all put in next year. Or, the thing will crap out and i'll have to do it sooner. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 685
Likes: 123
From: NW Suburburbs of Chicago
Had mine replaced at the dealer at 40k miles. Covered on the extended warranty as a wear item. Looking forward to another 40k then I think I will go through the entire motor and do a 95" with cams and gear drive since the warranty will be long gone.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,867
Likes: 268
From: People's Republic of Boulder Colorado
For some reason there seems to be no set mileage pattern for the shoes to wear out. I have read threads/replies where the rear shoe had reached the metal as early as 9,000 miles. While others had gone over 50,000. 
There is no doubt this was a poorly engineered design from day one. The moco should have correct this mess long before 2007, that is if the new hydraulic setup has corrected the problem.
Oh well, one could always use the moco engine overhaul program or for that matter just buy a new engine if you happen to be one of the unluckly owners. It's only money!!!
There is no doubt this was a poorly engineered design from day one. The moco should have correct this mess long before 2007, that is if the new hydraulic setup has corrected the problem.
Oh well, one could always use the moco engine overhaul program or for that matter just buy a new engine if you happen to be one of the unluckly owners. It's only money!!!
Thanks,
John
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
I changed mine at 20K miles. 2001 SERG (95 Cu In).
Both were wore out to the poin the rear one was cracked but no noise.
I installed the Andrews 37N cams with new HD 2007 cam plate, pump, inner torrington bearings, chains, Hyd. Tensioners, shims, adjustable SE pushrods.
No tuning required as I had the SE 203 cams and the 37N is the same grind.
Both were wore out to the poin the rear one was cracked but no noise.
I installed the Andrews 37N cams with new HD 2007 cam plate, pump, inner torrington bearings, chains, Hyd. Tensioners, shims, adjustable SE pushrods.
No tuning required as I had the SE 203 cams and the 37N is the same grind.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 793
Likes: 23
From: AZ
What did it cost you??
To replace your cam chain tensioners, not changeing to gear drive but just the basic
cost to replace the tensioners, with maybe adding kit # 25283-07 (thats the new
cam plate with new high flow oil pump.)
Just a pricing survey from those that may have done this.
Thanks
cost to replace the tensioners, with maybe adding kit # 25283-07 (thats the new
cam plate with new high flow oil pump.)
Just a pricing survey from those that may have done this.
Thanks
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,183
Likes: 1
From: Lenexa, KS (KC)
Example of Worn Tensioners
Here's what my tensioners looked like at around 30k. The inner tensioner typically wears more, as mine shows. It's the one with the crack. When in doubt, have them checked and replaced or eliminated. You won't like the alternative.
BTW, I've been using synthetic oil, too. How they wear is bike specific, not a function of how you ride. Plenty has been said on this topic, so use the search feature and you'll learn more than you probably wanted to know.
Also, crank runout is important with gear drives, much less of a problem with the '99 to '01 or '02 bikes. If anyone decides to go with gears, call Andrews tech support and they can advise you accordingly.
Regardless which way you go, you can pay to have the dealer do it, but this is a job that almost all of us can do on our own. If you decide to stay with tensioners, you'll want to learn how anyway and it's relatively simple and easy. Just research it on the web and use the HD manual.
BTW, I've been using synthetic oil, too. How they wear is bike specific, not a function of how you ride. Plenty has been said on this topic, so use the search feature and you'll learn more than you probably wanted to know.
Also, crank runout is important with gear drives, much less of a problem with the '99 to '01 or '02 bikes. If anyone decides to go with gears, call Andrews tech support and they can advise you accordingly.
Regardless which way you go, you can pay to have the dealer do it, but this is a job that almost all of us can do on our own. If you decide to stay with tensioners, you'll want to learn how anyway and it's relatively simple and easy. Just research it on the web and use the HD manual.