cam install question
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 5
From: Michigan
cam install question
I am going to install some CVO 255's into my 96" with 18000 miles. I am considering doing the work myself and I am wondering if it is absolutely necessary to replace the inner bearings. Why would the bearings fail if I didnt replace them? I have always changed oil at 3000 miles and use amsoil so I would assume the bearings should be in perfect condition. I am trying to avoid buying a special one time one use tool if it isnt needed. Thanks for your input
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
I am going to install some CVO 255's into my 96" with 18000 miles. I am considering doing the work myself and I am wondering if it is absolutely necessary to replace the inner bearings. Why would the bearings fail if I didnt replace them? I have always changed oil at 3000 miles and use amsoil so I would assume the bearings should be in perfect condition. I am trying to avoid buying a special one time one use tool if it isnt needed. Thanks for your input
The problem with a bearing change is that you'll need to borrow or buy a bearing puller/installer. I bought one from a Harley Tech Talk member who designs and sells a very good tool for this purpose. I wrote up my experiences here and provided links to this source and others.
Let me know if you need any further help. BTW, I think you'll like the 255's very much. They're a great TQ cam set for a heavy touring bike and the result I expected and hoped for is exactly what I got. They work great in an otherwise stock TC96 with the Fuel Moto Power Package.
Last edited by iclick; Apr 23, 2009 at 08:55 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 624
Likes: 2
From: northern Minnesota
Bearings
absolutely change them ! ! ! go with Timken full compliment bearings ,with the tool it will take about 10 minutes. The full compliment bearings will have double the rollers making them twice as good as the IMA bearings.
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 5
From: Michigan
So change them.... but I havent heard any reasons why other than the torrington have 2x the needles. Will installing the new cams cause the stock bearings to fail? Will the stock bearings somehow get damaged during the removal/install?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,449
Likes: 46
From: Roswell, GA
I am going to install some CVO 255's into my 96" with 18000 miles. I am considering doing the work myself and I am wondering if it is absolutely necessary to replace the inner bearings. Why would the bearings fail if I didnt replace them? I have always changed oil at 3000 miles and use amsoil so I would assume the bearings should be in perfect condition. I am trying to avoid buying a special one time one use tool if it isnt needed. Thanks for your input
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,722
Likes: 5
From: Biddeford, Maine
You can get the tool from AutoZone for a free rental to remove the inner cam bearings, it's called a Blind Spot Puller.
You can stick with the stock bearings if you want, but most people take advantage of having access to them to replace them with a superior bearing.
Installing the new bearings is easy, just use a socket the same size as the bearing with an extension on it.........tap them in place lightly until they are seated all the way in.
I always follow this...............If you are going to do it, do it right.
Steve
You can stick with the stock bearings if you want, but most people take advantage of having access to them to replace them with a superior bearing.
Installing the new bearings is easy, just use a socket the same size as the bearing with an extension on it.........tap them in place lightly until they are seated all the way in.
I always follow this...............If you are going to do it, do it right.
Steve
Trending Topics
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,823
Likes: 4
From: London, Canada
Do you want to be riding down the highway thinking "I wonder if I should have changed those bearings?" The H-D ones are OK, but their use is dictated by the bean counters not the engineers. If you let the engineers build the motor I bet they would use Torringtons.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 624
Likes: 2
From: northern Minnesota
Bearings
Your bearings have 18,000 miles on them with the original cams, they have developed a wear pattern and have 18,000 miles of wear on them. It only stands to reason that with new cams you would want new bearings.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,142
Likes: 7
From: Michigan
For the $15 bucks or so that the bearings will cost you, its cheap insurance as far as i'm concerned. When i had my cams changed, i replaced the inner bearings because i had access to them. I doubt you'd have an issue with the stock inner, but why not take the opportunity to upgrade while you are in there?