cam chain tensioner

medicaldawg · 08-10-2010, 08:11 PM

Well i just screwed up big time. I was following gadgets steps to check the tensioners. Which by the way were totally out of travel. at 70,000 miles that is. anyway. I was putting the cap back on and tightning when i heard a little snap. uh that was not good. so i removed the cap to inspect and this is what i found. The big spring had some how wedged inside the bearring. It put a couple of fairly deep cuts in the metal collar its self and broke the spring. Some one please tell me i did not just buy a hundred dollar part. I am going to replace the tensioners but wanted to wait till this winter. Looks like i may be doing it earlier than planed. help me out guys. please.

ndbigfish · 08-10-2010, 08:24 PM

Been there and done that. My large spring got caught and broke and I found the end in the oil screen. I had to replace the spring and bearing both. I didn't find a cheap way around it. I looked all over for a cheap spring alternative.

**MAS Tequila** · 08-10-2010, 09:15 PM

I probably have one laying around. I have a disassembled 1500 in my warehouse.

I'll check to make sure.

Let me know if your interested.

MT

**Cajunrider** · 08-10-2010, 09:34 PM

Been there and done that myself shortly after ndbigfish broke his. I got lucky and only broke a small piece of the end that has no spiral. I was able to use the same spring. Mine also got jammed between the bearing and assembly wall. You are the third member that I know of who has broken a spring. You didn't do anything wrong, you were just unlucky like myself and ndbigfish. I'll say it again, anyone who wants to check how much travel they have left should follow the instructions of compressing the big spring and using the lock bolt to hold it in place before screwing that darn cap back on. That's the way the shop manual says to do it. It eliminates the possibility of breaking the spring.

ndbigfish · 08-10-2010, 09:55 PM

I would recommend using a mirror to see down in there. The first time I checked, I couldn't see in and this is where the problem likely occured.

zoom45 · 08-10-2010, 11:20 PM

I broke the end off one of mine but I just stretched the broken piece a little and it is fine (got almost 80,000 on mine). The hardware store sells a good assortment of springs if you had rather replace it. Ebay also has some tensioners for sale if you rather go that route.
Zoom45

AlabamaNomadRider · 08-11-2010, 12:42 AM

Thanks Mitch for the advice. Hopefully I won't have to worry about that for many miles yet. I always check these threads to learn as much as I can because I know it is something I will have to do one day.

macmac · 08-11-2010, 11:37 AM

Gadjet doesn't tell it ALL for one thing. I wish it was fresher in my mind than it is, and or that I took the time to record every bit somehow.

The bearing holder has a one way7 taper and that and the breaing get locked back held by the side bolt. Ouch

medicaldawg · 08-11-2010, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAS Tequila

I probably have one laying around. I have a disassembled 1500 in my warehouse.

I'll check to make sure.

Let me know if your interested.

MT

pm sent

kudzufarmer · 08-12-2010, 05:12 AM

even if you have to buy the parts, shouldn't be too bad...it seems like I ordered a new tensioner and spring for < $30 cheaparts.com

medicaldawg · 08-12-2010, 09:51 AM

thanks everyone dragonchaser hooked me up with a set. Gonna do the exteners and replace mine. I will in turn repay his generosity to anyone needing these items.

medicaldawg · 08-12-2010, 09:54 AM

could someone point me in the right direction for step by step instructions on how to do this job. Im not really trusting gadget on this one now.

**Cajunrider** · 08-12-2010, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by medicaldawg

could someone point me in the right direction for step by step instructions on how to do this job. Im not really trusting gadget on this one now.

MD, See pages 18 & 19 in the shop manual link below. It describes in detail how to remove and reset the tensioners. Follow gadjet's instructions on removing the small buttons on the end of the pushrods and installing the extenders. Use high temp red locktite to hold the extenders on the pushrods during installation of the assemblies. Let the locktite set up for an hour or so. You don't want the extender to fall off into the engine during installation. Once they are in place against the rail, they can't come off. Also, don't roll the engine over until the assemblies are installed and reset. It's really not a difficult job. Just follow the directions in the link and you will be OK.

http://www.kawanow.org/pdf/VN1600Man...gineTopEnd.pdf

clayton · 08-12-2010, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macmac

Gadjet doesn't tell it ALL for one thing. I wish it was fresher in my mind than it is, and or that I took the time to record every bit somehow.

The bearing holder has a one way7 taper and that and the breaing get locked back held by the side bolt. Ouch

I think it is time for a MAC MAC write up :)

**MAS Tequila** · 08-12-2010, 01:26 PM

Ask Joe (Chuckster) about it. He has it down to about fifteen minutes to do both. If my memory serves correctly.

Anyway, he has done these more than anyone else.

Plus you will enjoy talking with him.

MT

08-10-2010, 08:11 PM	#1
medicaldawg Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: rockmart ga. Posts: 240	cam chain tensioner Well i just screwed up big time. I was following gadgets steps to check the tensioners. Which by the way were totally out of travel. at 70,000 miles that is. anyway. I was putting the cap back on and tightning when i heard a little snap. uh that was not good. so i removed the cap to inspect and this is what i found. The big spring had some how wedged inside the bearring. It put a couple of fairly deep cuts in the metal collar its self and broke the spring. Some one please tell me i did not just buy a hundred dollar part. I am going to replace the tensioners but wanted to wait till this winter. Looks like i may be doing it earlier than planed. help me out guys. please. __________________ 99 1500 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

08-10-2010, 08:24 PM	#2
ndbigfish Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Braunfels, Texas Posts: 1,162	cam chain tensioner Been there and done that. My large spring got caught and broke and I found the end in the oil screen. I had to replace the spring and bearing both. I didn't find a cheap way around it. I looked all over for a cheap spring alternative. __________________ Brik VBA #1047 07 Electra Glide Ultra (43,300 & counting) 03 Nomad - 37,972 (traded 5/6/13) 99 Nomad - Only a memory since 4/27/13
	0

08-10-2010, 09:15 PM	#3
MAS Tequila Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Psychiatric Ward FL Posts: 3,429	cam chain tensioner I probably have one laying around. I have a disassembled 1500 in my warehouse. I'll check to make sure. Let me know if your interested. MT __________________ MT 2016 FLHP Psychiatric Ward FL VBA 936
	0

08-10-2010, 09:34 PM	#4
Cajunrider Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: (SE Louisiana) Posts: 8,340	cam chain tensioner Been there and done that myself shortly after ndbigfish broke his. I got lucky and only broke a small piece of the end that has no spiral. I was able to use the same spring. Mine also got jammed between the bearing and assembly wall. You are the third member that I know of who has broken a spring. You didn't do anything wrong, you were just unlucky like myself and ndbigfish. I'll say it again, anyone who wants to check how much travel they have left should follow the instructions of compressing the big spring and using the lock bolt to hold it in place before screwing that darn cap back on. That's the way the shop manual says to do it. It eliminates the possibility of breaking the spring. __________________ 2016 Electra Glide Ultra Limited CVO Palladium Silver / Phantom Blue 110 cu in SE 2012 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (Traded 6/22/16) Tequila Sunrise / HD Orange Vance & Hines true dual headers Rinehart 4" slip ons Screamin Eagle Super Tuner Screamin Eagle Stage 1 intake Dyno tuned H.O.G.# 4514015 2007 Nomad 1600 (Traded 6/23/12) VBA #482
	0

08-10-2010, 09:55 PM	#5
ndbigfish Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Braunfels, Texas Posts: 1,162	cam chain tensioner I would recommend using a mirror to see down in there. The first time I checked, I couldn't see in and this is where the problem likely occured. __________________ Brik VBA #1047 07 Electra Glide Ultra (43,300 & counting) 03 Nomad - 37,972 (traded 5/6/13) 99 Nomad - Only a memory since 4/27/13 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

08-10-2010, 11:20 PM	#6
zoom45 Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Terry, Mississippi Posts: 1,434	cam chain tensioner I broke the end off one of mine but I just stretched the broken piece a little and it is fine (got almost 80,000 on mine). The hardware store sells a good assortment of springs if you had rather replace it. Ebay also has some tensioners for sale if you rather go that route. Zoom45 __________________ Bobby Risher Terry, MS Kawanow member # 124 South Central Group 2000 Nomad 1500 (carbed) 128,000 miles
	0

08-11-2010, 12:42 AM	#7
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	cam chain tensioner Thanks Mitch for the advice. Hopefully I won't have to worry about that for many miles yet. I always check these threads to learn as much as I can because I know it is something I will have to do one day. __________________ Gene Cross, Jr. Boaz, Alabama KawaNOW/VBA #1181
	0

08-11-2010, 11:37 AM	#8
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	cam chain tensioner Gadjet doesn't tell it ALL for one thing. I wish it was fresher in my mind than it is, and or that I took the time to record every bit somehow. The bearing holder has a one way7 taper and that and the breaing get locked back held by the side bolt. Ouch __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
	0

08-12-2010, 05:12 AM	#10
kudzufarmer Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 358	cam chain tensioner even if you have to buy the parts, shouldn't be too bad...it seems like I ordered a new tensioner and spring for < $30 cheaparts.com
	0

08-12-2010, 09:51 AM	#11
medicaldawg Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: rockmart ga. Posts: 240	cam chain tensioner thanks everyone dragonchaser hooked me up with a set. Gonna do the exteners and replace mine. I will in turn repay his generosity to anyone needing these items. __________________ 99 1500
	0

08-12-2010, 09:54 AM	#12
medicaldawg Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: rockmart ga. Posts: 240	cam chain tensioner could someone point me in the right direction for step by step instructions on how to do this job. Im not really trusting gadget on this one now. __________________ 99 1500
	0

08-12-2010, 01:26 PM	#15
MAS Tequila Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Psychiatric Ward FL Posts: 3,429	cam chain tensioner Ask Joe (Chuckster) about it. He has it down to about fifteen minutes to do both. If my memory serves correctly. Anyway, he has done these more than anyone else. Plus you will enjoy talking with him. MT __________________ MT 2016 FLHP Psychiatric Ward FL VBA 936
	0

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