COMPENSATOR NUT TIGHTENING

[Jerry Whitaker]

All,

I've been reading in some Harley rags that tightening a compensator
sprocket nut with an impact wrench is not recommended as it might unbalance
or otherwise harm the bottom end. To me this doesn't make sense as the
bottom end is always getting pounded during power strokes and the bottom
end is supported by roller bearings.

What does everybody think??

Tappett

"77" FX (Money Hole)

[Az Barber]

I think it would be best not to hammer especially since it's not
necessary to get the nut off. I've always heard that impact wrenches are
a no-no in the primary drive area. On the compensating nut for the
reasons mentioned, and on the clutch hub nut because they are fairly
easy to crack. I wouldn't think that the load imposed from the motor
running would be anything like the side load from an impact hammer. For
one thing, you have the flywheels on the motor helping to even the load
out during acceleration. And secondly it's, like, a completely different
direction dude.

Az

[Mike Imbler]

I think the rags are right. The combustion process in a cylinder is not an
"explosion" and the energy is spread out over a period of time. The impact wrench
applies a nearly instantaneous torque force that might overcome a press fit. I would
heed their caution!

Regards, Mike

[Flea]

Mike Imbler <MIKE-...@worldnet.att.net> wrote in article
<5gf1kt$k...@mtinsc03.worldnet.att.net>...

> I think the rags are right. The combustion process in a cylinder is not
an
> "explosion" and the energy is spread out over a period of time. The
impact wrench
> applies a nearly instantaneous torque force that might overcome a press
fit. I would
> heed their caution!
>
> Regards, Mike
>
>

An impact wrench can also loosen/damage the alternator magnets, as well as
dimpling the sprocket shaft bearing races.
Keep impact wrenches and hammers away from the primary area.

Flea
(93"FXB)

[hoggw...@aol.com]

>
>Ok, lemme get this straight.
>
>The general consenses here is not too use an impact to
>remove the compensator nut or the final drive front sprocket nut,
>right? Opting for a breaker bar and somebody sitting on the
>bike mashing the brake with the bike in gear. Do I have it
>right now?
>
>Although people I know have used an impact at times for
>this purpose, I don't want to risk any damage to my bike...
>Any thoughts? How about it CT?
>
>see ya
>
>
>Tom
>89 FXSTC

>
> I've been reading in some Harley rags that tightening a compensator
> sprocket nut with an impact wrench is not recommended as it might unbalance
> or otherwise harm the bottom end. To me this doesn't make sense as the
> bottom end is always getting pounded during power strokes and the bottom
> end is supported by roller bearings.
>
> What does everybody think??
>
> Tappett
>
> "77" FX (Money Hole)
>

You are turning an easy job into a real pain if you don't use the impact.
The Crankpin Nut is torqued at 210 ft-lbs. We have to use a 4ft. long torque wrench just to get that much torque on the crankpin nut. If it ever comes loose, it won't be because of the compensator nut. Whoever told you that using one could hurt your bike is out to lunch! At least as far as using it on the compensator goes. Besides that, if your taking something apart, how the heck is the use of an impact wrench going to effect anything except the length of time it takes you by doing it the hard way?

I'd better add this:

Using an impact wrench/gun on the compensator nut is OK. It shouldn't hurt anything. NEVER use an impact wrench/gun on the clutch hub. Don't forget that the clutch hub nut is left handed threads.

HoggWrench

[Matt Pittelkow]

I have to agree with HoggWrench. I have used impact wrenches for this many times
with no ill effects.

Matt AH#16, FHBE#2
R1100RT (The Ballistic Luxury Liner)

[Chris Troudt]

"Jerry Whitaker" <tap...@earthlink.com> writes:
>
> All,

>
> I've been reading in some Harley rags that tightening a compensator
> sprocket nut with an impact wrench is not recommended as it might unbalance
> or otherwise harm the bottom end. To me this doesn't make sense as the
> bottom end is always getting pounded during power strokes and the bottom
> end is supported by roller bearings.
>
> What does everybody think??

Using an impact wrench on the compensator nut runs the
risk of damaging the magnets on the alternator rotor.

--

Later,
CT

o---------------------------------------------------------o
| Chris Troudt AH #40 ctr...@vnet.ibm.com |
| Do it in the wind! Sunny Arizona - It's a dry heat. |
| 95FXSTC - Urban Missile 95XLH - Spousal Contentment |
| Any similarity between my views and the truth is purely |
| coincidental except that neither is endorsed by anyone. |
o---------------------------------------------------------o

[Dan]

hoggw...@aol.com wrote in article
<19970316180...@ladder01.news.aol.com>...

> >
> >Ok, lemme get this straight.
> >
> >The general consenses here is not too use an impact to
> >remove the compensator nut or the final drive front sprocket nut,
> >right? Opting for a breaker bar and somebody sitting on the
> >bike mashing the brake with the bike in gear. Do I have it
> >right now?
> >
> >Although people I know have used an impact at times for
> >this purpose, I don't want to risk any damage to my bike...
> >Any thoughts? How about it CT?
> >
> >see ya
> >
> >
> >Tom
> >89 FXSTC
> >

> > I've been reading in some Harley rags that tightening a compensator
> > sprocket nut with an impact wrench is not recommended as it might
unbalance
> > or otherwise harm the bottom end. To me this doesn't make sense as the
> > bottom end is always getting pounded during power strokes and the
bottom
> > end is supported by roller bearings.
> >
> > What does everybody think??
> >

> > Tappett
> >
> > "77" FX (Money Hole)
> >
>
>
>
> You are turning an easy job into a real pain if you don't use the impact.
> The Crankpin Nut is torqued at 210 ft-lbs. We have to use a 4ft. long
torque wrench just to get that much torque on the crankpin nut. If it ever
comes loose, it won't be because of the compensator nut. Whoever told you
that using one could hurt your bike is out to lunch! At least as far as
using it on the compensator goes. Besides that, if your taking something
apart, how the heck is the use of an impact wrench going to effect anything
except the length of time it takes you by doing it the hard way?
>
> I'd better add this:
>
> Using an impact wrench/gun on the compensator nut is OK. It shouldn't
hurt anything. NEVER use an impact wrench/gun on the clutch hub. Don't
forget that the clutch hub nut is left handed threads.
>
> HoggWrench
>

The correct torque for the Compensator nut is NOT 210 ft. lb.-it is 80-100
ft. lb.There is no reason to use an impact wrench,save it for lug nuts.

[David DeCoster]

In article <5gk7bg$k...@watnews2.watson.ibm.com>, tro...@davinci.tucson.ibm.com (Chris Troudt) writes:
|> "Jerry Whitaker" <tap...@earthlink.com> writes:
|> >
|> > All,
|> >

|> > I've been reading in some Harley rags that tightening a compensator
|> > sprocket nut with an impact wrench is not recommended as it might unbalance
|> > or otherwise harm the bottom end. To me this doesn't make sense as the
|> > bottom end is always getting pounded during power strokes and the bottom
|> > end is supported by roller bearings.
|> >
|> > What does everybody think??
|>

|> Using an impact wrench on the compensator nut runs the
|> risk of damaging the magnets on the alternator rotor.

The operative hear is "runs the risk". But I don't see how as the impact
wrench doesn't seem to be anywhere near the magnets. Phase 3 belt
drives on the old shovels(alternator) said to use an impact to put the
motor shaft sprocket on. I have used an impact wrench to remove the
clutch and compensators now for over 20 years and have yet to damage
the alternator rotor. BTW I don't install the clutch with the impact but
I always touch the compensator with during install. Mines electric.

|>
|> --
|>
|> Later,
|> CT
|>
|> o---------------------------------------------------------o
|> | Chris Troudt AH #40 ctr...@vnet.ibm.com |
|> | Do it in the wind! Sunny Arizona - It's a dry heat. |
|> | 95FXSTC - Urban Missile 95XLH - Spousal Contentment |
|> | Any similarity between my views and the truth is purely |
|> | coincidental except that neither is endorsed by anyone. |
|> o---------------------------------------------------------o

--
Davey D #7

ddec...@vnet.ibm.com

For those who understand, NO explanation
is needed, for those who DON'T understand
NO explanation will be given.

[phillip...@gmail.com]

Hello I have worked in a custom bike shop and our workshop foreman was a harley dealership trained workshop foreman before joining us .he used a rattle gun on every bike to undo the compansator nut and he is the fussy mechainic I have every meet.

[Patrick Zambori]

The intended torque is typically 150 ftlbf - the vast majority of harley engines out there don't develop nearly this much, and an impact driver can deliver quite a bit more torque. The shock can knock the magnets off the charging system rotor, and could possibly affect the flywheel assembly, although I've never seen it. I always use impact for disassembly, as the first hammer strike shatters the locktite and moves the nut, and only the nut itself feels the entirety of the impact. I never use the impact for assembly, because the entire rotating assembly will experience the impact once it hits the torque limit.

Patrick aka Hogdoctor

On Saturday, March 15, 1997 at 2:00:00 AM UTC-6, Jerry Whitaker wrote:
> All,
>
> I've been reading in some Harley rags that tightening a compensator
> sprocket nut with an impact wrench is not recommended as it might unbalance
> or otherwise harm the bottom end. To me this doesn't make sense as the
> bottom end is always getting pounded during power strokes and the bottom
> end is supported by roller bearings.
>
> What does everybody think??
>

[Patrick Zambori]

HoggWrench was quoting the torque on the sprocket shaft nut, that's the inboard side nut holding the shaft into the left side flywheel. S&S shafts/wheels take that upwards of 500 foot pounds of torque.

Patrick

[Terry Coombs]

  I've always been afraid to use the air wrench on any comp sprocket
nuts , tightening or loosening . But then I've never done this as a job
, always just maintaining my own stuff and time ain't money  . Now then
, Shirley it's time for a drink ...

--
Snag
Yes , I'm old
and crochety .
Get off my lawn !