Cam Chain Tensioner & Bearing Swap.

Here's a great write up on how to change the cam chain tensioners and cam bearings on a twin cam engine. There's 10 pages with pics.

HarleyHogs Cam Bearing Install

PDF version available on download page.
Cam Chain Tensioner Bearing Swap PDF Version.

Don't miss this one too...

TQ's Engine Build - Harley Davidson Community

walleye · Feb 16th, 2009, 12:30 AM

What a great post. Thanks.

TQuentin1 · Mar 9th, 2009, 11:45 AM

Finally got into my cam chest this weekend, and thank goodness I did. You can see from the pictures below that the rear tensioner is WAY worn. The front is in need of changing too. I had replaced the front back about 25kmiles ago.

Also replaced the OEM installed INA bearings. Big difference between those and the Torrington.

TQ

glider · Mar 9th, 2009, 11:49 AM

Looks like you got to it in time TQ, sure got your wear out of those tensioners. Good move and thanks for the pics too. Good idea to do those bearings too at the same time.

TQuentin1 · Mar 9th, 2009, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glider

Looks like you got to it in time TQ, sure got your wear out of those tensioners. Good move and thanks for the pics too. Good idea to do those bearings too at the same time.

Fixin' to write up the whole saga with plenty of picts as soon as I finish getting the bike reassembled. Have the cam chest all bolted up, but have to put on the pipe and heat shields, floorboard, and install the TFI. Will try to knock that out tonight.

Probably gonna be a long story. What is the best way to handle that here on the forum?

TQ

glider · Mar 9th, 2009, 12:18 PM

Good deal TQ. You can post it right here and I can touch it up or merge as necessary.

You can even add it to your first post that has the pics too, then I will remove these extra posts..

Thanks

The more info the better.

TQuentin1 · Apr 15th, 2009, 08:44 AM

Here are some more shots of some tensioner shoes sent to me by another member. Emphasizes the need to upgrade to the hydraulic tensioners with the roller chain conversion or a gear drive system. At least keep a close eye on these things with at least an annual inspection. Any bike with about 15kmiles should be looked at IMHO.

The left tensioner in each shot has about 25kmiles, and the right has about 5kmiles. The first pix is the outside tensioner, and the middle and right are the inside tensioners.

TQ

threesteps · Apr 15th, 2009, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TQuentin1

Here are some more shots of some tensioner shoes sent to me by another member. Emphasizes the need to upgrade to the hydraulic tensioners with the roller chain conversion or a gear drive system. At least keep a close eye on these things with at least an annual inspection. Any bike with about 15kmiles should be looked at IMHO.

The left tensioner in each shot has about 25kmiles, and the right has about 5kmiles. The first pix is the outside tensioner, and the middle and right are the inside tensioners.

TQ

Thanks for providing the pics. I wish I had taken some pictures of my tensioners when a gear drive was put in my bike in '06. They were in worse shape that what you have shown. I agree that a bike should be inspected by 15k miles.

Timotwo · May 30th, 2009, 09:26 PM

Are the 2008 96-ers susceptible to this cams tensioner issue too? I thought I had read something about HD had addressed this issue somewhat starting with the '07 twin cams? Any input is appreciated.

glider · May 30th, 2009, 09:27 PM

No, the 96 engines have the improved tensioner setup (hydraulic)

Feb 16th, 2009, 12:30 AM	#1
walleye Contributor$ Ride: 2009 Ultra Classic Join Date: Jan 25th, 2009 Posts: 576 My Mood:	Re: Cam Chain Tensioner & Bearing Swap. What a great post. Thanks.

Mar 9th, 2009, 11:45 AM	#2
TQuentin1 Moderators Ride: '03 FLHTCUI (Ultra Classic) Join Date: Apr 4th, 2008 Location: Sugar Land, TX Posts: 1,936	Re: Cam Chain Tensioner & Bearing Swap. Finally got into my cam chest this weekend, and thank goodness I did. You can see from the pictures below that the rear tensioner is WAY worn. The front is in need of changing too. I had replaced the front back about 25kmiles ago. Also replaced the OEM installed INA bearings. Big difference between those and the Torrington. TQ Attached Thumbnails Last edited by TQuentin1; Mar 9th, 2009 at 11:58 AM.

Mar 9th, 2009, 11:49 AM	#3
glider Community Liaison Ride: 07 Road King Classic Join Date: Jun 21st, 2007 Posts: 20,464 My Mood:	Re: Cam Chain Tensioner & Bearing Swap. Looks like you got to it in time TQ, sure got your wear out of those tensioners. Good move and thanks for the pics too. Good idea to do those bearings too at the same time.

Mar 9th, 2009, 12:18 PM	#5
glider Community Liaison Ride: 07 Road King Classic Join Date: Jun 21st, 2007 Posts: 20,464 My Mood:	Re: Cam Chain Tensioner & Bearing Swap. Good deal TQ. You can post it right here and I can touch it up or merge as necessary. You can even add it to your first post that has the pics too, then I will remove these extra posts.. Thanks The more info the better.

Apr 15th, 2009, 08:44 AM	#6
TQuentin1 Moderators Ride: '03 FLHTCUI (Ultra Classic) Join Date: Apr 4th, 2008 Location: Sugar Land, TX Posts: 1,936	Re: Cam Chain Tensioner & Bearing Swap. Here are some more shots of some tensioner shoes sent to me by another member. Emphasizes the need to upgrade to the hydraulic tensioners with the roller chain conversion or a gear drive system. At least keep a close eye on these things with at least an annual inspection. Any bike with about 15kmiles should be looked at IMHO. The left tensioner in each shot has about 25kmiles, and the right has about 5kmiles. The first pix is the outside tensioner, and the middle and right are the inside tensioners. TQ Attached Thumbnails

May 30th, 2009, 09:26 PM	#8
Timotwo Start The Engine Ride: 08 Road Glide - Anniversary Join Date: Dec 25th, 2008 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 12	Re: Cam Chain Tensioner & Bearing Swap. Are the 2008 96-ers susceptible to this cams tensioner issue too? I thought I had read something about HD had addressed this issue somewhat starting with the '07 twin cams? Any input is appreciated.

May 30th, 2009, 09:27 PM	#9
glider Community Liaison Ride: 07 Road King Classic Join Date: Jun 21st, 2007 Posts: 20,464 My Mood:	Re: Cam Chain Tensioner & Bearing Swap. No, the 96 engines have the improved tensioner setup (hydraulic)

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Cam Chain Tensioner & Bearing Swap.

Harley Davidson Engine Related Issues