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HD Cam Bearings

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Tech Talk' started by RoadKing, Aug 1, 2007.

  1. RoadKing

    RoadKing New Member

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    Ok guys, I am not even kind-of handy in the garage so give me a break if some of this sounds crazy ..:eek:

    I heard of at least 6 people who have had major engine problems due to the cam bearings and/or cam tensioner (???). The one thing all these Hogs had in common was their mileage ... about 35,000 - 40,000 miles. This sounds like a lot of coincidence. I have 33,000 on my 2005 and I am beginning to think I need to come up with a complaint just so I can get things covered under warranty.
  2. voodoochild

    voodoochild New Member

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    Is that bike still covered under warranty with that many miles on it?? I thought 10K miles was the warranty?
  3. RoadKing

    RoadKing New Member

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    3 year extended with unlimited miles
  4. voodoochild

    voodoochild New Member

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    NICE, I didn't know they offered that kind of warranty. Might as well take it in and have them check it if your at all nervous about it, ya know? Definitely better safe than sorry.
  5. cowboy

    cowboy Moderator Staff Member

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    Yep if it make's you feel better take it in & have them check it as long as it already paid for , I have 50K on my 03 E Glide & no problums yet
  6. voodoochild

    voodoochild New Member

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    Better knock on wood now that you said that Cowboy! :roflmao: You know how sh*t goes once you talk about it.
  7. ReeseSS

    ReeseSS New Member

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    Both areas have had issues, the cam chain tenioner shoes should be checked out for wear by 20k miles. Book says replace if more then 50%. The front one is easy, the back one you can use a dental mirror and see how deep the chain rivets are riding in the shoe to figure how much wear.

    The inner cam bearings are rollors so everything can be assembled. That means they are not a press fit and "loose" by comparison. Somewhere along the line moco went with questionable quality bearings there. They should be replaced with a timken/torrington roller bearing. (Which are included in the "cam installation kits".)
  8. skull2007

    skull2007 Active Member

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    don't be fooled

    the warnt. is only as good as the steeler's word:puke:
  9. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Taking it in to get it checked isn't a warranty covered issue, HD only pays if it grenades and I think it was a 5 yr 50K extension on the cam bearings.

    Gear drive is the best way to go if you will be keeping the motor for a long time JMO.

    also get a bit more power out of it by changing to a nice mild street cam like an S&S 510 or ANdrews 37b
  10. VYBR8ER

    VYBR8ER New Member

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    Here is the bugger to the cam chain tensioner issue. The tensioner shoes are a wear item so they aren't covered by the warrenty. But if the tensioner lets loose then the warrenty (2 years/unlimited milage) or extended warrenty covers the repairs plus your $50 deductable. I've seen tensioners fail in 20K and I just replaced the plate, chain, cams and bearings on an 03 Dyna with 85K on the extended service contract. Where I work, the inspection of the tensioners is paid for by the customer but if we find them bad the extended service contract covers the replacment of tensioners and the bearings. Also the chain if there is any questions about it's servicability.
  11. ringo912

    ringo912 Active Member

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    Yep...got the 3 year extended on my 02 Heritage when I bought it. Not sure about now, but at that time you could get up to a 7 year extended warranty.

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