Harley Davidson Forums

4Bus · Sep 21st, 2008, 09:54 PM

Has anyone ever had a cam bearing fail on their '04 Ultra Classic? I have 30k miles on the TC 88B. Always run SYN 3 in it, and changed oil/filter on a regular basis.

Flashback · Sep 22nd, 2008, 01:52 AM

thats a common failure on that model engine. should start having the tensioners checked at the 25k service.

glider · Sep 22nd, 2008, 06:56 AM

Cam bearings on an 04 aren't that common at all. The earlier TC engines were the ones that had the problems with the bearings.

kemo · Sep 22nd, 2008, 07:17 AM

I changed my cams last week. I used the new style hydralic tensioner and Andrews 26N cams. The bike had the old style needle bearings. There was some pitting on the cams in the bearing area and some wear on the cam lobe faces. Changed the bearings to the Torington style new B lifters and Screaming Eagle adjustable pushrods, as well as oil pump and cam support plate.
The bike runs awsome now. I suppose now I will have to get some free flowing exhaust to go with the stage one carb and cams

1fltri4me · Sep 22nd, 2008, 07:56 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by glider View Post

Cam bearings on an 04 aren't that common at all. The earlier TC engines were the ones that had the problems with the bearings.

I believe the 1999-2001 models had the problems.

glider · Sep 22nd, 2008, 08:06 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by 1fltri4me View Post

I believe the 1999-2001 models had the problems.

You hit it right on the head.

Sad part is the MOCO knew there was a problem and instead of a recall, they would replace the engines that grenade because of this.

kemo · Sep 22nd, 2008, 12:42 PM

We are pretty stupid. For example cam chain tensioners are junk we pay $65 a piece for new ones. What is the cost to manufacture them. Doesn't look like much in material. They screw up and then they screw us again when we come bak to get their screwups repaired. Dumb.

glider · Sep 22nd, 2008, 01:12 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by kemo View Post

We are pretty stupid. For example cam chain tensioners are junk we pay $65 a piece for new ones. What is the cost to manufacture them. Doesn't look like much in material. They screw up and then they screw us again when we come bak to get their screwups repaired. Dumb.

Amen to that, you would think we would learn from our mistakes.

Rod Stewart · Sep 22nd, 2008, 03:09 PM

Is there any easy way to check the cam tensioners on an '04 Classic. It has the SE203 cams and the tensioners were replaced when the cams were put in about 20 k miles ago.

Rod

glider · Sep 22nd, 2008, 04:43 PM

Have to pull off the cam cover and possibly the front pipe. You can see the rear tensioner with a dental mirror if you stand on your head with your mouth a certain way and tongue hanging out

Sep 22nd, 2008, 01:52 AM	#2
Flashback Play The Throttle Ride: 1946 Knuclehead Join Date: Feb 27th, 2008 Posts: 295 My Mood:	Re: 2004 Ultra Cam Bearing failure thats a common failure on that model engine. should start having the tensioners checked at the 25k service. __________________ Flashback 1946 Knuclehead,1996 Sportster,2008 FLHT If you have to ask...go buy another SUV

Sep 22nd, 2008, 06:56 AM	#3
glider Frozen Account Ride: 07 Road King Join Date: Jun 21st, 2007 Posts: 25,999 My Mood:	Re: 2004 Ultra Cam Bearing failure Cam bearings on an 04 aren't that common at all. The earlier TC engines were the ones that had the problems with the bearings.

Sep 22nd, 2008, 07:17 AM	#4
kemo R.I.P Ride: 2000 electra glide Join Date: Nov 5th, 2007 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 1,900 My Mood:	Re: 2004 Ultra Cam Bearing failure I changed my cams last week. I used the new style hydralic tensioner and Andrews 26N cams. The bike had the old style needle bearings. There was some pitting on the cams in the bearing area and some wear on the cam lobe faces. Changed the bearings to the Torington style new B lifters and Screaming Eagle adjustable pushrods, as well as oil pump and cam support plate. The bike runs awsome now. I suppose now I will have to get some free flowing exhaust to go with the stage one carb and cams

Sep 22nd, 2008, 07:56 AM	#5
1fltri4me Warming The Wheels Ride: 2006 Road Glide Join Date: Sep 14th, 2008 Location: Nor. Ca. Posts: 68	Re: 2004 Ultra Cam Bearing failure Quote: Originally Posted by glider View Post Cam bearings on an 04 aren't that common at all. The earlier TC engines were the ones that had the problems with the bearings. I believe the 1999-2001 models had the problems.

Sep 22nd, 2008, 08:06 AM	#6
glider Frozen Account Ride: 07 Road King Join Date: Jun 21st, 2007 Posts: 25,999 My Mood:	Re: 2004 Ultra Cam Bearing failure Quote: Originally Posted by 1fltri4me View Post I believe the 1999-2001 models had the problems. You hit it right on the head. Sad part is the MOCO knew there was a problem and instead of a recall, they would replace the engines that grenade because of this.

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Sep 22nd, 2008, 12:42 PM	#7
kemo R.I.P Ride: 2000 electra glide Join Date: Nov 5th, 2007 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 1,900 My Mood:	Re: 2004 Ultra Cam Bearing failure We are pretty stupid. For example cam chain tensioners are junk we pay $65 a piece for new ones. What is the cost to manufacture them. Doesn't look like much in material. They screw up and then they screw us again when we come bak to get their screwups repaired. Dumb.

Sep 22nd, 2008, 01:12 PM	#8
glider Frozen Account Ride: 07 Road King Join Date: Jun 21st, 2007 Posts: 25,999 My Mood:	Re: 2004 Ultra Cam Bearing failure Quote: Originally Posted by kemo View Post We are pretty stupid. For example cam chain tensioners are junk we pay $65 a piece for new ones. What is the cost to manufacture them. Doesn't look like much in material. They screw up and then they screw us again when we come bak to get their screwups repaired. Dumb. Amen to that, you would think we would learn from our mistakes.

Sep 22nd, 2008, 03:09 PM	#9
Rod Stewart Warming The Wheels Ride: 2004 Geezer Glide FLHTCI Join Date: Oct 31st, 2007 Location: Alberta Canada & Port Charlotte Florida Posts: 143 My Mood:	Re: 2004 Ultra Cam Bearing failure Is there any easy way to check the cam tensioners on an '04 Classic. It has the SE203 cams and the tensioners were replaced when the cams were put in about 20 k miles ago. Rod

Sep 22nd, 2008, 04:43 PM	#10
glider Frozen Account Ride: 07 Road King Join Date: Jun 21st, 2007 Posts: 25,999 My Mood:	Re: 2004 Ultra Cam Bearing failure Have to pull off the cam cover and possibly the front pipe. You can see the rear tensioner with a dental mirror if you stand on your head with your mouth a certain way and tongue hanging out

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