primary chain tensioner

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Dec 19, 2010 | 01:05 PM

#11

PeterC1947

2nd Gear

Joined: Dec 2010

Posts: 6

Likes: 0

From: SE Texas

With 45K on your bike, I would have the cam chain tensioners checked. My 04 Ultra tensioners were badly worn with less than 40K. My wife's 03 Road King was the same. Had 3 friends wipe out engines when their tensioners failed. All-in-all, we have had about 10 riders need to get the tensioners replaced. I opted for Andrews 37G gear driven cams installed rather than replacing the tensioners. 70K now without any problems. A local shop polishes the cam chain before replacing the tensioners. He claims longer mileage out of the next set of tensioners. Tensioners are cheaper than the cams.

Dec 19, 2010 | 01:39 PM

#12

jbmunnoch

Advanced

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 92

Likes: 0

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterC1947

His is an 08 and does not have the same problems as the earlier twin cams

Dec 19, 2010 | 02:26 PM

#13

vet767

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 2,123

Likes: 6

From: Racine, WI

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scorpion07

Yup easy job, should just cost you the primary oil if you're just checking. You can re-use the Primary Gasket.
FWIW I just had mine apart at 45K and it is starting to wear. Minmimally, but it did have approximately 1/16" to 3/32" chain grooves worn into it. Plenty of wear left - I just wonder if it'll wear faster now that it's worn in? I'm wondering about my Cam Chain Tensioners now too?

The 07 and later TC engines have the new hyd tensioners which are better than the older spring tensioners. I have heard that hd is seeing very little wear even at 60 or 70K out of the new style. TC80 and 88 have the old syle and probably should be changed at around 40K. The moco has seen chain failures due to the tensioners even before 40k The kit is 429.00 labor at the dealer is around 500.00 If you can't do it yourself dhave it done. The results from failure are not pretty and far more costly. My 03 fx is getting them this winter at 35k