The heim joint rod end (under the triple tree) on my steering damper (w/around 2000 miles on it) seems to rattle a lot. It all still looks new and according to the TLE manual is hooked up correctly.
IS this normal ?
TIA,
John
I get the same sort of rattle from mh steering damper on my Ultra Classic.
Of course I can turn the radio up 🙂
Well at least I feel better, I looked it over as well as went through the service manual and I guess its just the nature of the beast. Too bad there is not a rubber bumper for it or somthing 😉
J
Originally written by jjr on 7/22/2009 7:23 AM
Well at least I feel better, I looked it over as well as went through the service manual and I guess its just the nature of the beast. Too bad there is not a rubber bumper for it or somthing 😉
J
That's not right. The joint is either good and won't rattle or it's shot and needs to be replaced. The one on my bike is silent and if it starts acting up, I'll replace it. You should probably do the same, unless it doesn't bother you too much. I rode the old girl 100 miles this morning and didn't hear a peep out of my steering damper.
You mean at under 2K its shot? Please explain?
Originally written by jjr on 7/25/2009 7:04 PM
You mean at under 2K its shot? Please explain?
No, it certainly shouldn't be shot at 2,000 miles but if it rattles, it's either shot or inproperly installed.
I'm guessing that the bolt holding the small heim joint to the mounting plate on the lower triple tree is loose and causing the rattle.
Who did the installation? If it was a dealer, perhaps a visit to them would get it tightened up for you.
The bottom line is, they don't make noise when in good condition and properly installed.
"No, it certainly shouldn't be shot at 2,000 miles but if it rattles, it's either shot or inproperly installed.
I'm guessing that the bolt holding the small heim joint to the mounting plate on the lower triple tree is loose and causing the rattle.
Who did the installation? If it was a dealer, perhaps a visit to them would get it tightened up for you.
The bottom line is, they don't make noise when in good condition and properly installed. "
No loose bolt, selling dealer did the install. Been through every inch of the steering and there is nothig loose, nothing broken. The only rattle is of that joint which to look at is new and to check is new......
I had a similar "clunk" coming from the front lower ball joint in a 95th Anniversary RK/TLE rig. No looseness in the joint, just the clunk. Never did get rid of it.
Lonnie
The only other thing I can think of would be a loose fork head bearing.
There is no mystery to these noises. Things are either loose or they aren't.
No loose bolt, no loose steering head bearings. It just makes noise, it is installed properly (per the pix in the service manual). Its just the way it is, heck its practically new......
I will make a movie and post it later on.
Originally written by jjr on 7/26/2009 12:12 PM
No loose bolt, no loose steering head bearings. It just makes noise, it is installed properly (per the pix in the service manual). Its just the way it is, heck its practically new......
I will make a movie and post it later on.
I know what! It's bewitched! It's bedeviled! It's possessed! It's haunted! I understand that this will happen to machinery from time to time.
After your description of these strange noises, I suggest that you see either a palm reader, a person with ESP or a real exorcist. Someone like that will be able to determine the locaton of the origin of the noise and prepare the proper ritual.
Sorry, that's all I can think of. LOL.
UPDATE: 7/27/09
OK here are some pix of my damper. I looked it over again and from what I see in the TLE service manual there should be a washer at the bottom of the heim joint between that and the bolt head (correct)? There is none on mine.
The noise I hear is apparently when the joint is moving up and down (see movie)
If anyone can I would appreciate some pix from sombody who has the same setup but does not make any noise. Or if you have the install instruction sheet that was included with the steering damper pehaps they have a parts breakdown w/PN#'s?
From what I see in the parts description in the TLE manual you get 3 washers to use between the top of the heim joint and the mounting bracket. As you see in my photos only 1 washer is used. Should I add 2 more washers to add some space between the top and the mounting bracket?
I believe that may stop the noise as it would possibly not be able to go up high enough to touch the bracket?
Also in my URL below I took some pix off my 04 TLE Parts Microfiche (my TLE is a 2006) but I believe that the parts should be the same? In the microfiche diagram it does not show any washer between the bottom of the heim joint and the mounting bolt as is shown in the TLE service manual?
Pix and movie here:
http://www.angelfire.com/il3/twins/TLE_Steering_Damper_Noise.html
Yes, that would be good to add washers as required to stabilize the asssembly. I recall when I was installing my sidecar, it took a bit of thought to get the washers in there so that the unit couldn't move too far. Most all years of the TLE's are the same, regrdless of what the parts lists show. I also had some trouble getting th eother end of the damber mounted with the washers supplied. I added a large one to align the unit.
It sounds like you fixed the problem. Glad to hear it!
Would anyone actually have a photo of one that is not noisy? Also I have not done anything to the damper yet? You are suggesting to add a couple washers between the top of the heim and mounting plate to bring it down a bit so it would not be able to reach anything to make the noise?
Its not noisey all the time but if that what I have to do I will, also same would go for the same washer that is on the bottom of the heim joint (now that washer is only shown in the description in the service manual) but is not listed in the 04 microfiche? Which I suspect is the same as the 05?
Thanks,
(pix is worth a thousand words)
Originally written by jjr on 7/27/2009 5:30 PM
Would anyone actually have a photo of one that is not noisy? Also I have not done anything to the damper yet? You are suggesting to add a couple washers between the top of the heim and mounting plate to bring it down a bit so it would not be able to reach anything to make the noise?
Its not noisey all the time but if that what I have to do I will, also same would go for the same washer that is on the bottom of the heim joint (now that washer is only shown in the description in the service manual) but is not listed in the 04 microfiche? Which I suspect is the same as the 05?
Thanks,
(pix is worth a thousand words)
I'll get out to the barn tonight or tommorow and get back with some pictures to show you what I did. Mine is quiet. The parts list and drawings are not adequate to install the damper properly.
To be continued.
