some thoughts and questions on rockers

Hi Doug,
The roller axle and associated needle bearings are the source of failure.

Updated followers feature a smaller axle with corresponding larger needle bearings.

Kind Regards,
Dale

i would also check the bushings of the rockerarm shaft!

I have over 10,000 miles on my 2002 FE2002e, I have replaced six sets of rockers, using the updated Husaberg ones and KTM rockers(you have to make a spacer for the exhaust rocker shaft and attach it to the head). I have used the oil pressure and splash method to lub the rollers, I get about 1500 to 1800 hundred miles on a set of rockers and the wobble foot adjusters. With the radical cam profile( as Dale has talked about) this is not bad. If you look at the sides of the rocker you see the needles have worn into the sides, this would cause the needles to run skewed on the pin, causeing wear, I have put .006" hardened shims on each side of the needles to stop the needles from digging into the sides fo the rocker and I'm hoping for more milage from the rockers, I'll let you know. Have a great ride,Haskell in Idaho.

dougn1 said:

do the needles always dig into the same side of the rocker arm or is the wear symmetric?

doug

Click to expand...

The needles do not always damage the rocker arm.
It does indeed happen though it is not a rule and it is not as a result of misalignment between the follower and cam lobe.

FYI:
The follower itself has a slight crown of less than .0005" to prevent edge loading.

Hope this helps.

Best Regards,
Dale

In my case (01 501) the original rockers wore at the roller axel. Frequent adjustments and aluminum swarf (from side loading) tipped me off. Replaced them with the updated versions with good results thereafter.