TC96 Cam Chain Tensioners @ 83,000 Miles
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 414
Likes: 26
From: Red Rock, Arizona
TC96 Cam Chain Tensioners @ 83,000 Miles
Whether or not to change the Tensioners is not my question at this point. My question is, Can I replace the hydraulic cam chain tensioners without disturbing the cams and chain. It seems to me that it wont be a problem. What other issues might I expect when i remove the camplate from the engine? might I screw up the cam bearings or the oil pump alignment? just fishing. Truly, if you dont know, its ok. If you do know, Id like to gain from your experience and save the dealer bucks for whatever might actually be beyond my capabilities. help?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,788
Likes: 4
From: Here
If you want to change the back tensioner, you will have to remove the front chain and sprockets from the cam and crank. As far as the oil pump and cam bearings, shouldn't be an issue but personally I'd replace the bearings while I had the cam plate out. Be sure and do the centering exercise for the oil pump when you put it back together.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,444
Likes: 1
From: SC
You have to remove the timing chain and sprockets on the outer portion of the cam plate. You don't have to remove the cams from the plate to replace the cam chain tensioner. You don't have to remove the oil pump either. The pump will come off with the plate. Be careful it doesn't come apart tho. But you will also want to replace the timing tensioner while your there. Inspect the cam bearings. At 83k you may want to replace them since your there anyway. You will need the cam cover gasket, red and blue thread locker, trq wrenches. You will need to cut the pushrods and go back with adjustables unless you want to remove the head covers. You will want a service manual if you don't have one. You need a way to hold the lifters up in place unless you want to remove them too. There is probably a video on YouTube you can find and watch. I think fuel moto has one on their site. You may want to watch one and see if this is something you want to attempt. It's not exactly advanced but id say at least intermediate. Hope this helps. I may have missed a couple things but off the top of my head that's about it.
Last edited by VETERAN75; Feb 8, 2014 at 04:46 PM.
Whether or not to change the Tensioners is not my question at this point. My question is, Can I replace the hydraulic cam chain tensioners without disturbing the cams and chain. It seems to me that it wont be a problem. What other issues might I expect when i remove the camplate from the engine? might I screw up the cam bearings or the oil pump alignment? just fishing. Truly, if you dont know, its ok. If you do know, Id like to gain from your experience and save the dealer bucks for whatever might actually be beyond my capabilities. help?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,453
Likes: 2,839
From: Oklahoma
I have an 08 TC96 with the just over 61,000 miles and am quite interested in the condition of the tensioners you are removing. Some have said they will go the life of the engine, your replacement is the first I have heard about.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Prescott Valley, AZ
27K on the inner tensioner and caught on the verge of breaking (03 Ultra) and replace bearings, chains (stretched) and adj. pushrods. Not fun but essential you keep an eye on that area.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
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From: Santa Clarita
Different design than the OP's...he has the upgraded hydraulic system, you have the old spring tensioners, unless you have upgraded to hydraulic...
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,096
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From: San Jose
Whether or not to change the Tensioners is not my question at this point. My question is, Can I replace the hydraulic cam chain tensioners without disturbing the cams and chain. It seems to me that it wont be a problem. What other issues might I expect when i remove the camplate from the engine? might I screw up the cam bearings or the oil pump alignment? just fishing. Truly, if you dont know, its ok. If you do know, Id like to gain from your experience and save the dealer bucks for whatever might actually be beyond my capabilities. help?
You can leave the pump bolted to the cam plate, for ease of reassembly do not rotate the engine or pump rotors while the plate is off.
If you are going to use your push rods over you have to remove rocker arms cover and rocker arms, not the heads as some one mentioned earlier.
You won't screw up the cam bearings just removing and installing cams. but you might consider replacing them as a preventative measure.