Two time in last 52k miles but it seems better now for some reason but time will tell. I had bad luck with crap load of bearings front wheel twice,rear wheel once , primary twice 3rd time I had em change it when SE Compensator was replace cause stock was cracked. But it's OK that's why I bought extended svc plan.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Transmission main shaft
- Thread starter Ron Brown
- Start date
My 07 Ultra is in the shop now to replace the duplex bearing with the plastic cage. Stated as a ticking sound (like something in the tire). After checking several things, drained the transmission and found metal flakes (about half a thimble full). My Ultra has 43K miles and has had Syn-3 in all three holes since 1st 1000 check-up and changed every 3300 miles. So far there is no aftermarket bearing improvement fix that I could find so I'll be putting the same HD crap back in. I will be changing to Spectro 6 speed synthetic in the transmission and Amsoil in the engine. Other than an HD oil filter, I am going to do my best to wean myself for buying from HD. Everytime something happens to my bike I usually fix it with better parts than it came with...no more new HD's. I'll run this one til the wheel fall off.
Ok I'll add my $.02 worth of knowledge . My 08 ultra classic began a howl at around 18,000 miles from what I thought was the primary area. I had a HD tech ride the bike and he couldn't hear it. So off I go and ride another 5000 miles until it is loud enough that a deaf person could hear it. The tech now rides it again and says the tranny output shaft bearing is failing (part #8967) that bearing was replaced under warranty. I had to wait 3 weeks for the bearing as it was on BackOrder that was in Sept 2009.
Now a year later with 33881 miles on the bike it is in the shop for the same problem. The bearing has failed a second time with only a little over 10,000 miles on the replacement bearing. The bike is now out of warranty so we shall see if HD steps up and takes responsibilty for this second failure of part #8967. I have only used HD's primary/trans fluid in this tranny, however I don't think it matters what fluid you use because it is a crap bearing problem not a lubrication failure. Hope this helps. I am pissed for sure. This is prime riding weather in the pacific northwest and will be heading Reno in a month one way or another.
Tim
Now a year later with 33881 miles on the bike it is in the shop for the same problem. The bearing has failed a second time with only a little over 10,000 miles on the replacement bearing. The bike is now out of warranty so we shall see if HD steps up and takes responsibilty for this second failure of part #8967. I have only used HD's primary/trans fluid in this tranny, however I don't think it matters what fluid you use because it is a crap bearing problem not a lubrication failure. Hope this helps. I am pissed for sure. This is prime riding weather in the pacific northwest and will be heading Reno in a month one way or another.
Tim
3
<3 I <3 ANIMALS <3
Guest
The 2009 Toruing Manual says to use 20W-50 motor oil or Harley Transmission lubricant in the transmission. They could say that using a heavy gear oil, such as 85W- 140 or240, caused the failures. I think you would have a hard time proving them wrong.
Falling Upward
New member
u dont have to prove them wrong they have too prove the aftermarket lube directly caused the failure to deny a claim.
3
<3 I <3 ANIMALS <3
Guest
I sympathize totally and if mine goes out again I'll be very pissed, but your story doesn't give me much hope that the fix will hold for the life of the bike. I rode my old Evo for >100k miles and didn't have any drivetrain problems at all.
It also seems obvious that fluid choice is not a factor. You used the prescribed Formula+, another guy reporting here used Syn3, and I used Redline Shockproof Heavy. Redline approves this fluid for Harley trannies and even re-labels it as a V-Twin product, so I won't believe it caused my problem, which was the disintegration of the plastic wall of the bearing. My tech is not happy with these things, calling them "plastic bearings," and claims the part is the same for newer bikes too. Maybe they made a batch of bad ones that we were lucky enough to get, then fixed the problem. It would be unconscionable and irresponsible for them to use a bearing design that long knowing it was faulty.
Mine now has about 5k since the work was done and I hear no odd noises yet. I'm also keeping my belt looser than spec (1/2" cold at 10#) to keep strain off that bearing.
It also seems obvious that fluid choice is not a factor. You used the prescribed Formula+, another guy reporting here used Syn3, and I used Redline Shockproof Heavy. Redline approves this fluid for Harley trannies and even re-labels it as a V-Twin product, so I won't believe it caused my problem, which was the disintegration of the plastic wall of the bearing. My tech is not happy with these things, calling them "plastic bearings," and claims the part is the same for newer bikes too. Maybe they made a batch of bad ones that we were lucky enough to get, then fixed the problem. It would be unconscionable and irresponsible for them to use a bearing design that long knowing it was faulty.
Mine now has about 5k since the work was done and I hear no odd noises yet. I'm also keeping my belt looser than spec (1/2" cold at 10#) to keep strain off that bearing.
glespaul12
New member
wasn't that the last year they used the Timkin bearings?
Sammantha143
New member
Timkin crank bearings were used up until 2002, replaced with INA's for later models. This thread is about the tranny mainshaft bearing and I don't know who makes that particular part. FWIW, I've never heard of an INA crank bearing failing, so using these shouldn't bother any of us unless we're considering a radical build.
I'm in the middle of replacing the bearing in question. I firmly believe that the bearing design and manufacture itself is sound. Otherwise ALL 07's would have the issue. In fact, all Harley's with a 6 speed would be spitting out bad bearings. That's just not the case though. Yes the incidence of 07 failures seems high, but I believe it's something else that's causing it. Perhaps bad bore alignment? Bad true in the mainshaft? Who know's?
I have the F.A.G US headquarters within a few miles of my house. I think I'll give them a call and see if I can shed some light on this problem.
BTW - the plastic ball seperators (for lack of proper terminology) are only there to align the balls and distribute the loads. They are NOT plastic bearings.
I have the F.A.G US headquarters within a few miles of my house. I think I'll give them a call and see if I can shed some light on this problem.
BTW - the plastic ball seperators (for lack of proper terminology) are only there to align the balls and distribute the loads. They are NOT plastic bearings.