My 93 FLHS would always move when the drive sprocket loosened up. So I'm not certain what would cause it not to keep moving. Unless the splines got buggered up when the nut loosened.

 

To all that have loose transmission pulleys and seal leaks;
Over tension is one of the problems...Those belts don't have to be BOW STRING TIGHT..If it's not ratcheting, It's not too loose..
The transmission pulleys weigh right next to 7 pounds..They were made of cast iron and are only 30 rockwell on the splines..If you purchase a new pulley that is indeed 60 rockwell on the splines (Some aftermarket pulleys are much better though more expensive) this will NEVER happen again..{Ya' gotta pick the right one}.The right steel is important and the manufacturer is never going to pay for the best parts, Thatz way too expensive..If they can get you through warranty, that's all they want then your on your own. I understand that the newer pulleys are made of sintered metal and indeed somewhat better than the 86 to 2005 or so transmission pulleys were.. A brand new pulley from a dealer doesn't even have a good fit on the splines and move around right out of the gate. They lost ton's of them and in 94 increased the spline width form .500 to .750 but it's still the same stuff..They tried all kinds of locking devices and so forth but never tackeled the problem by making them out of the right material plus they make a lot of jingle fixin' em..Sad but true..Your real lucky if it indeed doesn't wipe out the 5th gear..Happens all of the time..I only speak from experience. Jozer

 

Yeah, I was probably pretty lucky both times. When I saw the drip of tranny oil the second time, I knew immediately what it was and got it into a dealer and fixed. I believe I saw on the 'net that JIM's has a replacment nut/lockplate that's all one unit. Looks like this might be the final answer.

 

After they fixed mine they said it usually starts leaking before it goes, mine didn't and all they could say is that "that's really odd"
I can tell a huge differnce now that I have it back from before it went out, not as much slop, just a lot "tighter" and mine had 16,000 miles on it.

 

Agrred these pulleys are known problems and if you didnt have it happen to you now it will eventually.The upgraded units are better but still will fail in time.These pulleys are cheaper than replacing main shafts.Its a whipping boy item.Keep the belt on the loose end of adjustment range.Remember extra wt will effect tension.

 

The pulleys we make don't have that problem..They ARE 55 rockwell on the spline area and don't give up..Been making final drives since 77' and have not lost any big twin splines..Another thing that enters into it is the fact that they weigh in at around 7 pounds and that is enough to make em' commit suicide..Had a couple of late 4 speed Sportys but not any big twins. Those had tiny splines and in my opinion not sufficient for the job they were to do. The big twins have a much larger transmission splined area..Be it 6 splines as the early 4 and 5 speeds or the later invalude splines that came out in 86.. Jozer

 

Yep, just one more thing to keep an eye on when you do your 'walk around' before taking off. Trust me, I was lucky to be less tha 15 miles from a dealer that could get me in and out in less than four hours. In the middle of Pennsylvania no less. You might not be so lucky.

 

If not too personal,what did all this cost ??

 

This is the first i have ever heard of this. My 92 has been leaking and i got the inner primary off now due to front gasket leak. It looked like it was leaking in more than one spot but on the back of the inner there is no sign of leakage on the tranny shaft. Does the tranny pulley just come loose or what. Shouls i retorque it to spec or at least i'll give it a look see. Thanks Kent