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[GregKhougaz]

Had my '09 SERG all shined up and recently serviced by the dealer as I'm off on a trip the end of the week.  Late Saturday, I found a small puddle under the tranny which, sure enough, was tranny fluid.  Talked to my service manager (Kirk at Bartel's HD), a very good guy.  He said its a common problem and told me to check the two bottom bolts of the transmission side door (#'s 2 & 3 in the diagram below).  They were loose enough to finger tighten!     So much for checking your "critical fasteners" at a dealer service.  So, I removed the bolts, cleaned them, applied blue loctite and reinserted.  Not nearly enough room to use a torque wrench (with out removing exhaust) but specs are 19 - 26' lbs.  Tranny took about 3 ounces of Amsoil Gear Lube. 

My friend Fred says he has been through this with his '09 SERG and another '10 Road Glide.  Kirk calls this a.m. to check on me to make sure I'm fixed and tell me he has a bike at the shop where the owner did not notice the leak and now may need a new tranny.     I went to OSH and found on sale a GearWrench Micro Kit ($12.49) that has an allen driver that will fit in between the tranny and exhaust, just in case this happens on the road. 

Searched and did not see this on the forum but now I know of four bikes with the issue.  Might be worth checking.    

[SciFiGuy]

Yep. Had that problem on my 09 Street Glide. Didn't notice any leak or anything, I found out about it when I was at a dealer having the state inspection done. Will be keeping an eye out for the same on the new bike. 

[guppytrash]

I found out last March that this is a common problem.  You would think that HD techs would start making a habit of checking these bolts.

http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=70344.0

I should have titled my thread better, it may have helped you Greg.  At least now when members do a search they should find your thread.  
It would suck if you had to replace a tranny because of 2 loose bolts.

[Ironhorse]

Having dealt with Bartels I feel for you Greg. Transmission side cover bolts are not considered critical fasteners, however, if the MoCo knows about it, then there is no excuse for the service department from not checking it. But at least know we know to check them ourselves now.

Long ago, back when I had an Evo Softail, I learned to tighten down EVERY bolt and nut I could access before any long trips. And then check them sometime in the middle of the trip. You will be surprised how many need a quarter or half turn of the wrench. It's a good habit to get into especially after getting the bike back from dealer servicing.

Mark

[MAT]

Great info. , Thank you !   

[erniezap]

This thread says a lot about HD Service, which is why I pay for repairs at Metal Dragon versus having the idiots at HD touch the bike under warranty!

[GregKhougaz]

I should have titled my thread better, it may have helped you Greg.  At least now when members do a search they should find your thread. 
It would suck if you had to replace a tranny because of 2 loose bolts.

Thanks!  I saw the thread in the search results but did not read all the way through.     Should have, obviously. 

Transmission side cover bolts are not considered critical fasteners, however, if the MoCo knows about it, then there is no excuse for the service department from not checking it. But at least know we know to check them ourselves now.

Long ago, back when I had an Evo Softail, I learned to tighten down EVERY bolt and nut I could access before any long trips.
Mark

Mark, You're correct, of course.  You know this but let me clarify:  If you check a bolt and it moves, you should remove it, clean, re-loctite and then re-torque.        

BTW, I forgot you're sooooo much older than I!       

This thread says a lot about HD Service, which is why I pay for repairs at Metal Dragon versus having the idiots at HD touch the bike under warranty!

Ernie, I'm thinking Metal Dragon South!        

[CVO Jack]

Thanx for the heads up..... luckily my new V & H header comes with a mounting bracket that uses these 2 bolts..... locktite and torqued past HD specs 

[dayne66]

Ernie, I'm thinking Metal Dragon South!        

If expansion is being considered....please include Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, BC,  Canada!

[JoeSDE]

2010 FLHTK with transmission fluid underneath it today. Hasn't moved in two weeks but was just washed. Will have to check it this weekend. Will post results. Trying to turn 50,000 on my '99 FXSTC. Nice to have two bikes.     JoeS

[JoeSDE]

Both bolts loose and leaking. Might have been the result of the Fullsac header change. These two bolts support the piece that attaches to the rear of the headers.        JoeS

[OBB]

Thanks for the heads up 

[guppytrash]

Both bolts loose and leaking. Might have been the result of the Fullsac header change. These two bolts support the piece that attaches to the rear of the headers.        JoeS

I still have a stock 09 catless header and it happened to me. 
It is just a poor location for an exhaust hanger. 
I think any header using that bracket will eventually have the problem.

[grc]

Remove the bolts, clean the male and female threads, apply some blue Loctite, and torque the bolts to spec.  If Harley had used thread locker in the first place you probably wouldn't have this problem now.  If you don't have faith in Loctite, drill the heads of the bolts and safety wire them.  Racers and aircraft guys can tell you all about safety wired fasteners.


Jerry

[North Star]

I looked at the diagram, but are these bolts visible without removing the cover or anything?