Need To Know All You 96ers
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 736
Likes: 23
From: Waverly Hall,Ga
Need To Know All You 96ers
Have you had any problems with your Tensioners ...Lets beat this horse one more time please...so at 30k in miles I can change my 88s out and do the new ones or go grear drive and I will not ask about that cause I have read page after page on the subject....I just want to know if it is a problem on the 96 motors yet...Thank you all...
Take A Hard Ride
Take A Hard Ride
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
I've heard of a few isolated problems with late-model tensioners, but very few. I changed cams at 25k and one tensioner was like new (minor scratches) and the other had minimal wear, probably 90% remaining. I didn't see a need to replace them but will check them in another few years. I understand the wear difference in the new vs. old tensioner design wasn't so much the tensioners themselves or the fact that they are hydraulic, but that the newer chains are less abrasive. Some wore out fast with the old "quiet" chain setup, like around 20k, and some lasted as long as 70k--and the oil brand or type doesn't seem to be a factor.
I would go with either the HD or Andrews hydraulic upgrade, as that is a cheaper option than gears, are quieter, and likely no less reliable. Gears require crank run-out to be minimal, so you'd have to insure this before committing.
I would go with either the HD or Andrews hydraulic upgrade, as that is a cheaper option than gears, are quieter, and likely no less reliable. Gears require crank run-out to be minimal, so you'd have to insure this before committing.
Last edited by iclick; May 29, 2011 at 11:01 AM.
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 736
Likes: 23
From: Waverly Hall,Ga
Thanks Iclick and all the others...so it will be new upgrade for me with new bearings....
Having a Hard Ride
Having a Hard Ride
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From: New England
Have you had any problems with your Tensioners ...Lets beat this horse one more time please...so at 30k in miles I can change my 88s out and do the new ones or go grear drive and I will not ask about that cause I have read page after page on the subject....I just want to know if it is a problem on the 96 motors yet...Thank you all...
Take A Hard Ride
Take A Hard Ride
The "new style" (light cream color) seems to be lasting longer.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,380
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From: Atlanta
At 55k miles on my Road Glide I had the cam and primary tensioners checked because I got paranoid with the few isolated war stories on this forum. The mechanic invited me to come into the shop to visually inspect them once he had the covers off. Each of them looked almost brand new, with only the very slightest signs of wear. I suspect that they would go another 55k miles easily.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 130
From: Now Western TN
I had one of the isolated problems, when I did the cam swap I inspected them and the outer one was in great shape, the inner had a material defect. It looked like the molded plastic had air bubbles in it. It still had very little wear but the surface was rough so I replaced it.
I still wouldn't worry about it, very few problems with them in general as everyone has stated.
I still wouldn't worry about it, very few problems with them in general as everyone has stated.