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I have an '03 Super Glide with the Twin Cam 88 engine. I have 11K miles on it and heard a knocking noise. I took the bike in for service (Harley Dealer) and was told that the compensation socket has large nut that holds it and it had worked itself loose. I asked the mechanic was this a know problem and would it happen again. He stated that is was not a known problem and possibly it might happen again. I would like to know it there are any others who had had occur with their Twin Cam 88 engine?
Thanks in advance for your replies.
Superg88

get on google and type in harley twin cam 88 camshaft problems.they got lawsuits and other stuff about the 88 .

Like 9000white says, there's lots of documented info about this and other TC88 problems on the net. I belong to a few Harley forums, send me a PM and I'll list them for you.

FWIW, I just traded in an '04 FLHT with 54,668km on it. Never had one problem with it and I'm hoping my new '06 FXDI Superglide gives me the same reliability.

Superg88 wrote:I have an '03 Super Glide with the Twin Cam 88 engine. I have 11K miles on it and heard a knocking noise. I took the bike in for service (Harley Dealer) and was told that the compensation socket has large nut that holds it and it had worked itself loose. I asked the mechanic was this a know problem and would it happen again. He stated that is was not a known problem and possibly it might happen again. I would like to know it there are any others who had had occur with their Twin Cam 88 engine?
Thanks in advance for your replies.
Superg88

Compensation Socket?

This sounds like a bogus thing. Did he mention the muffler bearings?

Did he offer to sell you a can of Compression?

I don't doubt the knock is a problem, but the "compesation socket" sounds awfully fishy to me...

mydlyfkryzis wrote:

Superg88 wrote:I have an '03 Super Glide with the Twin Cam 88 engine. I have 11K miles on it and heard a knocking noise. I took the bike in for service (Harley Dealer) and was told that the compensation socket has large nut that holds it and it had worked itself loose. I asked the mechanic was this a know problem and would it happen again. He stated that is was not a known problem and possibly it might happen again. I would like to know it there are any others who had had occur with their Twin Cam 88 engine?
Thanks in advance for your replies.
Superg88

Compensation Socket?

This sounds like a bogus thing. Did he mention the muffler bearings?

Did he offer to sell you a can of Compression?

I don't doubt the knock is a problem, but the "compesation socket" sounds awfully fishy to me...

I need some headlight fluid, and a couple cans of elbow grease, would you pick some up for me?

mydlyfkryzis wrote:Compensation Socket?

This sounds like a bogus thing.

Compensator sprocket. And it's legit. Keep in mind that the Harley uses a chain driven primary, not a gear driven one like that on your bike.

Gummiente wrote:

mydlyfkryzis wrote:Compensation Socket?

This sounds like a bogus thing.

Compensator sprocket. And it's legit. Keep in mind that the Harley uses a chain driven primary, not a gear driven one like that on your bike.

It's funny how a couple of letters can make a world of difference.



If your nut comes loose once, it can come loose again.

Having big loose nuts is a problem with Harley;'s I guess...

'01 FXDXT with 54K+ on it, and "knocking on wood" have not had any problems with it. It has been to Montana twice, Biketoberfest 4 times, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Deal's Gap, and many points in between.

The only time it was on a trailer besides original delivery was in Gillette, Wyoming when the battery went toes up - SNAP.