Twin cam tensioners

I have 50k miles on my 2000 fxsts twin cam and have been told I'm over due for the cam tensioner replacement. the bike runs fine no bad noises and no running problems. has anybody got information on this and haow much trouble is it to replace them. the local shop is talking $600.00 parts and labor i think that is way high. I have excellent mechanical skills I just like to get other input befor I tear something apart for the first time.

Yeah you're overdue for a look anyway....mine were shot at 24,000 miles and scored up the oil pump pretty bad with pieces of tensioner. YMMV some lasted longer, some less. I went with the SE Hybrid kit which changed the tensioners to hydraulic like the newer bikes... comes with a better oil pump and I could still use the cams I had. Costs about the same as replacing the spring loaded tensioners.
Pick up the Factory Service Manual and Parts Catalog, they'll save ya a bunch of money in the long run.

the updated SE plate is the way to go, I just replaced my wifes on her 02 and the tensioners were pretty eaten up.
the replacement is quieter and performs much better. plus the kit comes with an updated oil pump also, well worth the money. If you lok on the H-D web site you can find them. $430.00 plus any extras you might need.
Screamin' Eagle® Hydraulic Cam Chain Tensioner Plate Upgrade Kit | Harley-Davidson USA

Interesting post. I'm in the same position. Going to do something before spring.
Haven't decided which way to go yet. Probably go with hydraulic setup, since I'm likely to be riding this one for a few more years.

Happy I am in the same boat as you 50,000 miles and the inside pad is worn out. Work must be done now. I am tempted to do this myself but I have not done this before. Did you end up doing this yourself? Dew Rag Vancouver, WA 02 Road Glide

As stated, you can do anything on your bike with the service manual, a few tools (rented, owner or borrowed), a buddy and some great advice here on BT. These guys really know their sh*t. (don't forget you also need the b*lls to do it!!)

Happy: I am in the process of replacing the cam chain tensioner pads. I am glad I parked the Harley as my inside pad (the one that is difficult to see) was way beyond its wear limit. There was no metal to metal contact but it was real close. I am replacing the interior bearings (the two in back) and the two out front. There is alot of downward force on the cams and I thought it would be the right thing to do. The tensioners apply a great deal of pressure on the chains. More updates to come later on. I need to get some parts before I can continue. I did mark every part. Dew Rag 02 Road glide 50,000 miles on the original tensioners. Way to many. They need to be checked regularly. Trust me on that.

My 01 e glide had 12000 on the tensioners, I decided to cam it, the pads were not bad and I did not want to check it in 10 or 20000 miles, I went with the SE cam plate, I did it all myself other than pushing the new cams in the plate, had Harley do that! Make sure you use Assembly grease on everything you put back together! good luck!

I have the cam plate and cams removed and the rear cylinder cam is toast. The inside bearing failed and torn the cam up. So I have that going for me. It is raining here really hard but the sun will shine again I am told and I have a lead on some used but like new cams. the saga continues. I am on the run to get new cams. Dew Rag Vancouver, WA. If your Harley will not run you really don't own a Harley. You own a wannabe Harley. Just metal that has no soul but looks like a Harley. To be a real Harley it must run, look and sound like a Harley. Off soap box now.

Thanks for the help you have given me on this project. I have found a replacement cam and plate with low miles. The cams look perfect. Now pulling the inside bearings is a problem as I do not have the tool to do this. Also need a tool to install the new bearings. I am working on this right now and it looks like it will happen in less than a week. So we wait until then. The solution to most problems I have had with motorcycles had two things in common. To solve them it took time and money. No problem is a big problem if you have plenty of both. That is not my case. I am retired so the time required I have covered. The Harley is very important to me as it provides a place in my life that brings me great enjoyment. Life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, that is American as you can get and that is why I will spend the money to fix my ride. The pursuit of happinesss is not always free. If your happiness is broke fix it. Dew Rag Vancouver, WA. (still loving life and the challanges it offers) The saga continues.

That'll get it out...then install the Torrington B-148 bearings not HD's INA bearing...if you can borrow or make a bearing installer...warm the case(use a heat gun not a torch) and freeze the bearings and they'll tap in real easy