Cam Tensioner Replacement Cost

M

Mz_SO_CAL

New member
I will strain it, but didn't seen any and I use a rather large pan so the oil is pretty shallow in the bottom of the pan. Again thanks for the info, will follow up with my indy and see what he thinks. He's been riding and wrenching for 30 yrs or so.

Joe
 
Man, get those spring tensioners OUTTA THERE! I just pulled mine at 29k miles and I'm VERY glad I did...worn half through, pitted and dark. The power drain of about 80 pounds of drag on the chains alone is reason enough. It's really a crappy design.

The valve seals are another gotcha. Bean at Big Boyz has the cure for those; a set of blue silicone seals for $15 shipped. Can't beat that deal.
 
I'd say with 70K on the clock your tensioners were changed at least 20K ago so you should be in the area of half-life if a stock replacement was done.

When they wear out you will know it from the sound of a metal chain dragging across a metal spring. In our shop you're looking at roughly 3 hrs labor to do any work in the cam chest from a spring replacement to an cam swap and inner bearing Torrington upgrade.
 
$600 - No way. I'd shop around and find a better price. If you have the coin, it seems like you have some great options to upgrade the cams while you are in there? Maybe a big block? Let me know if you need any ideas to help you spend a ton of money!
 
Yes, I went with The Original HD tensioners. I didn't know about the new hydraulic ones. Next time I'll have my Indie replace them with hyraulic tensioners. My bike has 46,684 miles on it.
 
just doing my 05 roadking. anyplace to get advise ie pictures. I am stuck now. Took all th ebolts off by the cam cover. Whats the secret of getting the cover off.
Thanks in advance
Newby mechanic
 
FWIW, I did the stock swap/replacement with the OEM tensioners, using an indie here in the Houston area. $350 and change is what it ran. 40k miles and one was pretty worn, the other still in good shape. The design still leaves me baffled...

To do the upgrade was roughly double that, and while I understand the improvement (which HD obviously doesn't), I also needed the extra $$$ at the time for other things. Some maintenance is obligatory, other stuff is on the wish list...
 
Although I didn't have any trouble with mine, I have read about those that did. One user put together a slide hammer that he tied into the old timing (?) cover plate. I just tapped mine a couple of times with a rubber hammer and it popped off. I had to remove the running board foot rest & the pipe, other than that no issues. I had about ~35K on it and they were about like new so go figure. I was just lucky on it this time.
 
Back
Top