My Turn - Pan Hard Rod Heim Joints Gone Bad

[hydraglide]

Guess it was just a matter of time after researching this issue.

Had my 21' Tri Glide in for 25K service the other day and the Master Tech at my local HD Dealership brought me into the shop and demonstrated (by shaking the back end side to side) a squeak and clunking noise. It was driving him nuts (which I appreciate)... and upon hunting it down he found it to be the Pan Hard Rod assembly.

I've heard the squeak really only when getting on or off my trike and it didn't concern me, but the clunking noise was quite evident as well. He said the joints were really rusty as well... which is really weird, since only this summer did I hit rainy riding of any significance (truth, a lot of rain, but rust within 6 months? ...Really?).

Seems to be a weak spot in Tri Glide design (part manufacturing, essentially). I was familiar with this issue since I follow this forum regularly and told my tech there are alternatives to having to be stuck using the factory heim joints. Since this will be submitted as a warranty claim, the dealership had to order a new Pan Hard Rod assembly (typical MC... you have to purchase the entire assembly when two 12$ parts will do.

The plan is to have the labor covered under warranty and install these replacement heim joints and locking nuts by QS Components in place of the factory crap. https://www.qscomponents.com/search?q= 4005755906

As I've researched, two RH thread heim joints are what is needed, correct me if I'm mistaken.

Any of my fellow Tri Glider's out there have any user feedback on these heim joints? (Like... are how they are performing/lasting, etc?).

I plan on also replacing the axle bearing retaining plates with DK's beefy replacements, because without even looking, and with the Pan Hard Rod so sloppy, I have to believe that this slop has put undue stress on the stock wheel bearing plates to the point I'm willing to bet a buck they're warped to some degree.

Seems to me that having the Pan Hard Assembly going bad isn't a matter of IF, but WHEN.

 

[Rogue1]

Guess it was just a matter of time after researching this issue.

Had my 21' Tri Glide in for 25K service the other day and the Master Tech at my local HD Dealership brought me into the shop and demonstrated (by shaking the back end side to side) a squeak and clunking noise. It was driving him nuts (which I appreciate)... and upon hunting it down he found it to be the Pan Hard Rod assembly.

I've heard the squeak really only when getting on or off my trike and it didn't concern me, but the clunking noise was quite evident as well. He said the joints were really rusty as well... which is really weird, since only this summer did I hit rainy riding of any significance (truth, a lot of rain, but rust within 6 months? ...Really?).

Seems to be a weak spot in Tri Glide design (part manufacturing, essentially). I was familiar with this issue since I follow this forum regularly and told my tech there are alternatives to having to be stuck using the factory heim joints. Since this will be submitted as a warranty claim, the dealership had to order a new Pan Hard Rod assembly (typical MC... you have to purchase the entire assembly when two 12$ parts will do.

The plan is to have the labor covered under warranty and install these replacement heim joints and locking nuts by QS Components in place of the factory crap. https://www.qscomponents.com/search?q= 4005755906

As I've researched, two RH thread heim joints are what is needed, correct me if I'm mistaken.

Any of my fellow Tri Glider's out there have any user feedback on these heim joints? (Like... are how they are performing/lasting, etc?).

I plan on also replacing the axle bearing retaining plates with DK's beefy replacements, because without even looking, and with the Pan Hard Rod so sloppy, I have to believe that this slop has put undue stress on the stock wheel bearing plates to the point I'm willing to bet a buck they're warped to some degree.

Seems to me that having the Pan Hard Assembly going bad isn't a matter of IF, but WHEN.

Hmmm, something to look at on my TG.

 

[DK Custom Products]

It seems the luck of the draw on the pan hard rod heim joints.

Out of 3 Tri Glides, I have only had them go bad on one of them. Good to hear you are replacing them with some quality units.

I thought they had gone out on a second one, but the clunking I was hearing was not the pan hard rod, it was the axle bearing retainer plates. Good to hear you are going to replace those too. If you have a chance to get photos of the stock retainer plates, would be great if you could email them to Support@DKCustomProducts.com

Attention Kevin. I would like to see what they look like on a TG that had the heim joints go bad.

Kevin

 

[hydraglide]

It seems the luck of the draw on the pan hard rod heim joints.

Out of 3 Tri Glides, I have only had them go bad on one of them. Good to hear you are replacing them with some quality units.

I thought they had gone out on a second one, but the clunking I was hearing was not the pan hard rod, it was the axle bearing retainer plates. Good to hear you are going to replace those too. If you have a chance to get photos of the stock retainer plates, would be great if you could email them to Support@DKCustomProducts.com, Attention Kevin. I would like to see what they look like on a TG that had the heim joints go bad.

Kevin

Kevin - thanks for your reply.

I will photograph everything once removed (plan is to do this all over the winter).

I will email the results to you. I suspect the axle bearing retainer plates will no longer be true.

Quick question… just confirming… both Heim joints are right hand threads, correct?

Thanks again!

Ron

 

[hydraglide]

It seems the luck of the draw on the pan hard rod heim joints.

Out of 3 Tri Glides, I have only had them go bad on one of them. Good to hear you are replacing them with some quality units.

I thought they had gone out on a second one, but the clunking I was hearing was not the pan hard rod, it was the axle bearing retainer plates. Good to hear you are going to replace those too. If you have a chance to get photos of the stock retainer plates, would be great if you could email them to Support@DKCustomProducts.com

Attention Kevin. I would like to see what they look like on a TG that had the heim joints go bad.

Kevin

Hi Kevin - Email sent with pics. I look forward to your thoughts. I will follow up here with all the findings after you take a look...

Thanks in advance for everything!

 

[DK Custom Products]

Hi Kevin - Email sent with pics. I look forward to your thoughts. I will follow up here with all the findings after you take a look...

Thanks in advance for everything!

Sorry I missed your posts.

We did receive your email and I've responded to it.

Sounds like you have things well in hand getting the Panhard rod and the HD Bearing retainer plates with new bearings taken care of.

We appreciate your business.

Wishing you many more miles of smiles on your ride!

Kevin

 

[Cagmo]

I've got my 2016 Triglide up on the J&S lift with the wheels off. It looks like I can get to both ends of the pan hard rod assembly to remove it and replace the heim joint rod ends. My question to anybody who might know is whether or not there is any stress or weight on the assembly that will cause problems replacing it in the air. Any advice is appreciated.
Cagmo

 

[PosseRider]

I've got my 2016 Triglide up on the J&S lift with the wheels off. It looks like I can get to both ends of the pan hard rod assembly to remove it and replace the heim joint rod ends. My question to anybody who might know is whether or not there is any stress or weight on the assembly that will cause problems replacing it in the air. Any advice is appreciated.
Cagmo

let us know if it works out... may want to do mine in a bit

 

[Cagmo]

Wilco PosseRider

 

[Cagmo]

Wilco PosseRider

Posserider,


Removed my 2016 triglide pan hard rod assembly with the bike on the J&S lift and body on. Tight fit but do-able. 3/4 open end wrench for upper nut attachment. A bit of a turn, reverse wrench a bit of a turn. After breaking it free, I was able to use a ratchet end combination wrench a bit, but had to go back to open end to clear the nut. Locking 3/4 nut which I replaced with a new one. One steel spacer and two teflon spacers either side of the heim joint. Be sure and retrieve these as you will need to reuse them. Not off the shelf anywhere. If they are damaged, your local machine shop will make you a new set.

You can use a 3/4 socket to remove lower bolt. Relatively easy with the wheels off. No weight or tension on the pan hard rod at all. I had to use a screwdriver to pop the lower heim joint up and off, but not much pressure. I actually used a small pry bar to spread the flange open a bit more. I believe when you go to torque that done, you'll squeeze it together again Remove rod assembly from left side wheel well.

Clean up everything on the work bench. Clean the upper stud on the bike as best you can. I used a rag with mineral spirits. replace the heim joints keeping about the same length. The proper length will be done when fine tuning the bottom end. I blue locktighted the upper heim joint, and locknut. Before I finished at the workbench, I dabbed two dots of glue on the teflon bushings to hold them in place while reinstalling. After the glue dried, I pivoted the hiem joint with a screwdriver to make sure I cleared any glue I had gotten on the pivot.

Reinstall by passing the rod assembly back through the left wheel well. Keep the lower end above the axle housing while sliding the upper end over the stud, drop some locktight on the threads, fingerstart new teflon lock nut by hand then check that the lower end in in the proper position to slide into the flange. Tighten the upper end with the 3/4 open end until tight. Because if the new teflon lock nut, I did not use red locktight. My reasoning. Suit yourself.

With lower end, working above the right rotor, turn heim joint in or out until you reach the sweet spot when the 3/4 bolt and washer easily slides into position. Here the book calls for red locktight and torque specs. Tighten the heim joint lock nut and you are done. My old heim joints were very loose and rusty. Hopefully this will cure my squeaks. Good luck. I left blood.

 

[PosseRider]

Thanks for reply & instruction...

 

[DK Custom Products]

Those working on their Panhard rods, we encountered a new, to us, issue. The following video should be watched prior to swapping out heim joints.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31QGxGd8VJg



Kevin

 

[David792]

Can someone please explain to me what the pan hard rod is? I'll jack up my trike this weekend and take a look. Sounds to me like its a sway bar. Doubt that mine is bad cuz I don't have squeeks or knocks, but I can add it to my PM list. Thank You.

 

[David792]

Can someone please explain to me what the pan hard rod is? I'll jack up my trike this weekend and take a look. Sounds to me like its a sway bar. Doubt that mine is bad cuz I don't have squeeks or knocks, but I can add it to my PM list. Thank You.

okay, so never mind, i guess. I crawled under and found the pan hard rod. It's rock solid... no movement.