103 CI Rocker arm replacement (2012)
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Stage IV
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 3
From: York, PA
103 CI Rocker arm replacement (2012)
2012 FLHTK 103 CI has 47,000 miles on it.
I opened the rocker box to fix an oil drip from the rear cylinder.
Checking the rocker end clearance, the front rockers is just inside the wear limit spec, and the rear is out. I plan on keeping the bike for a few more years, so I will be replacing the rockers, supports & associated components in the rocker box.
Am I right to assume that the push rods & lifters should also be replaced as a set?
Thanks!
I opened the rocker box to fix an oil drip from the rear cylinder.
Checking the rocker end clearance, the front rockers is just inside the wear limit spec, and the rear is out. I plan on keeping the bike for a few more years, so I will be replacing the rockers, supports & associated components in the rocker box.
Am I right to assume that the push rods & lifters should also be replaced as a set?
Thanks!
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,773
Likes: 2,604
From: san antonio
2012 FLHTK 103 CI has 47,000 miles on it. I opened the rocker box to fix an oil drip from the rear cylinder. Checking the rocker end clearance, the front rockers is just inside the wear limit spec, and the rear is out. I plan on keeping the bike for a few more years, so I will be replacing the rockers, supports & associated components in the rocker box. Am I right to assume that the push rods & lifters should also be replaced as a set? Thanks!
However, If you are one of those with a case of "tinkekritus" a little history lesson might help inform. Before the Rocker Lockers came along many attributed the top end tick to the side to side movement of the rockers in the support plate. The go to "fix" was to shim the non-thrust side (EX to the push rod side and INT to the valve side). Most would avoid using thin shims and would remove enough material from the end of the rocker so that a .100" thick shim would set the clearance at .003"-.005" but few noted any improvement because the side to side movement was not the source of the noise. Along came the Rocker Lockers which cure the noise issue if the rocker shaft is rotating in the support plate.
If you have a top end "tick", replacing rocker arms, support plate and shaft probably won't eliminate the tick; clearances could still be an issue as factory tolerances are not that tight. A set of Rocker Lockers are cheap, easy to install and would most likely eliminate the tick; if you have one. If no noise, as I said previously, fix the leak and keep riding.
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 8,538
Likes: 1,646
From: SF Bay area
I have a LOT of experience in top end noises... I have never seen it caused by rocker arm side to side movement. It was my discovery, first reported on these forums that the ticking is caused by the rocker shaft rocking against the bolts. There is still only one patent pending top end tapping solution. 
End shimming is actually an old shovelhead trick, the shims you see for sale are for that.
Cheers,
John @ Rockout.
__________________________________________________ ____
For ROCKOUT information & purchasing please click HERE For all Twin Cams and Evo Big Twins & Sportsters
End shimming is actually an old shovelhead trick, the shims you see for sale are for that.
Cheers,
John @ Rockout.
__________________________________________________ ____
For ROCKOUT information & purchasing please click HERE For all Twin Cams and Evo Big Twins & Sportsters
__________________
NO, they DON'T all do that!
ROCKOUT rocker shaft inserts... make the tapping STOP! From the guy that FOUND and CURED the problem NO ONE ELSE COULD, thank you for your support!
Ordering & info http://www.rockout.biz On ebay! ... CLICK HERE
Also on amazon.com...
Imitated, never equaled... ROCKOUTS!
Ordering & info http://www.rockout.biz On ebay! ... CLICK HERE
Also on amazon.com...
Imitated, never equaled... ROCKOUTS!
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Stage IV
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 3
From: York, PA
"Are you referring to the "side to side" clearance, i.e., the movement of the rocker arm from side to side in the support plate?"
Yes, the lateral movement of the rocker arm on the shaft. The spec states a wear limit of .013", The max I found was .016".
I will inspect the ends of the rockers and the support plate tonight and go from there.
Thanks for the info!
Yes, the lateral movement of the rocker arm on the shaft. The spec states a wear limit of .013", The max I found was .016".
I will inspect the ends of the rockers and the support plate tonight and go from there.
Thanks for the info!
Thread Starter
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Stage IV
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 3
From: York, PA
First off - thanks to everyone for the info/input. It saved me at least $600.
Per djl's advice, I separated the arms from the supports and looked at the ends of the arms and the opposing faces on the supports. I can still see the machining marks on all of the surfaces. Looking at the supports, the wear is from about 7 o`clock to 11 o`clock, and from the edge to center, it is about 1/3 in toward the shaft -through hole. (I should have taken a picture).
I cleaned everything out with solvent and air, reoiled and put them back together.
I had bought a set of Rockouts in late 2019. I intended to have them put in last year but did not have a facility or a trusted friend to install them. I installed them tonight and began the reassembly process.
Thanks again to everyone.
Per djl's advice, I separated the arms from the supports and looked at the ends of the arms and the opposing faces on the supports. I can still see the machining marks on all of the surfaces. Looking at the supports, the wear is from about 7 o`clock to 11 o`clock, and from the edge to center, it is about 1/3 in toward the shaft -through hole. (I should have taken a picture).
I cleaned everything out with solvent and air, reoiled and put them back together.
I had bought a set of Rockouts in late 2019. I intended to have them put in last year but did not have a facility or a trusted friend to install them. I installed them tonight and began the reassembly process.
Thanks again to everyone.
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,773
Likes: 2,604
From: san antonio
First off - thanks to everyone for the info/input. It saved me at least $600. Per djl's advice, I separated the arms from the supports and looked at the ends of the arms and the opposing faces on the supports. I can still see the machining marks on all of the surfaces. Looking at the supports, the wear is from about 7 o`clock to 11 o`clock, and from the edge to center, it is about 1/3 in toward the shaft -through hole. (I should have taken a picture). I cleaned everything out with solvent and air, reoiled and put them back together. I had bought a set of Rockouts in late 2019. I intended to have them put in last year but did not have a facility or a trusted friend to install them. I installed them tonight and began the reassembly process.
Thanks again to everyone.
Thanks again to everyone.
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Stage IV
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 3
From: York, PA
"You never did say whether or not there was any top end noise"
Yeah, when she gets hot, she gets noisy. I didn't think it was normal. Especially in traffic in mid-summer.
Hopefully the Rock-Outs will quiet the noise. I've seen good reviews.
"Did you notice any witness marks from the shaft rotating in the support plate on the end that is supposed to lock the shaft?"
Three of the four bolts had witness marks to one degree or another.
Yeah, when she gets hot, she gets noisy. I didn't think it was normal. Especially in traffic in mid-summer.
Hopefully the Rock-Outs will quiet the noise. I've seen good reviews.
"Did you notice any witness marks from the shaft rotating in the support plate on the end that is supposed to lock the shaft?"
Three of the four bolts had witness marks to one degree or another.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,863
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From: poway
Better yet, fix the leak and turn up the stereo.
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