Transmission main shaft
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
My son purchased a late production 06 Dyna Street Bob. He got a letter from HD stating that there was a problem with the transmission main shaft bearing. It stated that the bearing would be replaced each 15,000 miles at no cost. It also recommended that the trans oil be replaced at each 5K service interval.
He did the 5K change on the trans with Syn3 every 5K. The bearing started to go during our PCH trip this year at 32K.
He made it home without it granading. He went to the selling dealer at the 15K and they gave him another letter from HD saying that the 15K offer was rescinded as they were not having the failure rate that they had expected.
He decided not to fight. When home and ordered a once Baker replacement and a gasket. He put it in in three hours time and checked the stator and compensator at the same time. They were okay. Out of pocket cost was just under $50 and he learned a few things more about his bike.
So he felt that he was ahead. Even if he contacted HD and they would have honored the original deal the time and effort of that and scheduling the repair at the dealer and the wait was not worth the $50 of doing it himself.
I have no problems yet on my 07 FXSTC. If I do, I will go the same route as he did except I have decided on the SE replacement part with Timkin needle bearings.
He did the 5K change on the trans with Syn3 every 5K. The bearing started to go during our PCH trip this year at 32K.
He made it home without it granading. He went to the selling dealer at the 15K and they gave him another letter from HD saying that the 15K offer was rescinded as they were not having the failure rate that they had expected.
He decided not to fight. When home and ordered a once Baker replacement and a gasket. He put it in in three hours time and checked the stator and compensator at the same time. They were okay. Out of pocket cost was just under $50 and he learned a few things more about his bike.
So he felt that he was ahead. Even if he contacted HD and they would have honored the original deal the time and effort of that and scheduling the repair at the dealer and the wait was not worth the $50 of doing it himself.
I have no problems yet on my 07 FXSTC. If I do, I will go the same route as he did except I have decided on the SE replacement part with Timkin needle bearings.
Last edited by lh4x4; Aug 28, 2011 at 10:31 PM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
My son purchased a late production 06 Dyna Street Bob. He got a letter from HD stating that there was a problem with the transmission main shaft bearing. It stated that the bearing would be replaced each 15,000 miles at no cost. It also recommended that the trans oil be replaced at each 5K service interval.
I have no problems yet on my 07 FXSTC. If I do, I will go the same route as he did except I have decided on the SE replacement part with Timkin needle bearings.
Last edited by iclick; Aug 29, 2011 at 01:26 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
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From: TOAK western branch
I think this issue was with the primary mainshaft bearing, which isn't the one I mentioned earlier that I had problems with. Some of the early 6-speed Dynas had no alignment dowels in the inner-primary case near the mainshaft bearing, and that apparently caused problems until the dowels were put back in later in that model year. (I'm writing from memory here, so I hope I'm right on the details.) I believe all 6-speed touring bikes ('07 >) have the dowels, so if they have problems it isn't because of this omission. A friend has an '09 Ultra and his PMB failed while on a trip and had to have it fixed 800 miles from home, in warranty fortunately. Now, why remove the alignment dowels on those early '06 Dynas in the first place? Did this save a few pennies per bike?
What's the part number on that?
What's the part number on that?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
ditto on the SE comp recommendation. we just cant win. Put in an SE comp, while in there, might as well change the inner primary bearing, now wait, while in there change the tranny mainshaft bearing. Are we talking the same bearing, I think I recall another shaft bearing that has a hi load bearing mod avail for it.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 3
From: NYC
I guess this doesn't need to be mentioned, but I would inspect everything in the primary while in there and replace everything that has more than light wear, especially if you have >50k on the bike. That would include the tensioner, clutch disks, stator, and primary chain. OTOH I wouldn't replace the tranny bearing if there is no hint of problems, as that would entail much more work, and if it ain't broke.... Anyway, not everyone has this failure, so I would keep the faith that you are in the majority. Also, the SE comp should be given careful consideration if you have $250 you can live without and plan on keeping the bike for the long haul. I'm resigned to keeping this bike for 100k miles or more, or until it starts costing me too much money to maintain, whichever comes first--so I look at things like the SE comp, 255 cams, etc. as long-term investments.
Just want to make sure there's nothing exposed that would be an easy lift to replace. Stator might be something to look into while Im in there.
debating on sending out the crank for plug and weld. If I could get my hands on a new case to upgrade to lefty bearing, might go thru with that.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,216
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From: Central Illinois
The transmission mainshaft bearing, the one in the transmission, can only be accessed by disassembling the transmission from the right side of the transmission. This also requires the inner primary to be removed and the transmission drive sprocket and inner primary bearing race (on the mainshaft) to be removed.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Minnesota
This is my tranny plug @ 3k miles. I previously had the bearing in the primary R & R under warranty. The tranny shifts very well with no noises. If I understand correctly there are 2 mainshaft bearings; tranny and primary, right?
I also replaced the stator, regulator and compensator. I am going to call Harley and see if they will do anything for me on the tranny mainshaft bearing.
I also replaced the stator, regulator and compensator. I am going to call Harley and see if they will do anything for me on the tranny mainshaft bearing.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,602
Likes: 3
From: Southeastern Michigan
Yeah - thats what mine looked like as the bearing began failing. It's the chrome from the ***** and races crumbling. She's a gonner - or at least will be. I put another 10k-20k (can't remember exactly) after my first hint though.
The MDG has 3 bearings. two needle bearings inside it that ride on the mainshaft, and one large two row bearing (usually the culprit) that allows rotation of the MDG in the trans housing.
The Mainsaft has the 2 needle bearings peviously mentioned, also the IPB, and the trapdoor bearing. The clutch basket and gear bearings also ride on it, but seem to be low incidence problems.
Either way, you have a teardown of some sort ahead of you.
The MDG has 3 bearings. two needle bearings inside it that ride on the mainshaft, and one large two row bearing (usually the culprit) that allows rotation of the MDG in the trans housing.
The Mainsaft has the 2 needle bearings peviously mentioned, also the IPB, and the trapdoor bearing. The clutch basket and gear bearings also ride on it, but seem to be low incidence problems.
Either way, you have a teardown of some sort ahead of you.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Minnesota
Thanks for the confirmation on this, Scorpion07, and its good to know that you put some miles on it after it showed.
If Harley won't help me out on it I will most likely do it myself - I wish someone that has done it would do a thread with picts on it like the ones for the compensator and Cams.
If Harley won't help me out on it I will most likely do it myself - I wish someone that has done it would do a thread with picts on it like the ones for the compensator and Cams.