The exhaust bolts at the heads on my 83' FXE keep backing out. I installed the stage 8 locking kit, and the rear one disappeared after about 5k miles. The front one has now backed out after 15k miles, and I can't seem to be able to keep it tight. When I tighten it up it snugs up real good, but after about 300 miles it is lose again.

I'm thinking maybe I should install a stud and use a lock nut, but if the stud isn't loctited in, then the stud can back out, not sure about loctite on the head.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

Studs with green loctite Use reg nuts with lock washers

 

My bolts would back out because the threads were loose from vibrations and not being locktited by the previous owner. I tapped it out to the next size and JB welded a stepped stud in there. I used 2 nuts to secure the pipes to the stud. Never have probs now (with the exhaust)

 

n28ive1,
If you loosen or remove the exhaust bolts at your head, is the exhaust pulling away from the head from tension in the exhaust piping? If so, the exhaust system support stuff needs adjusting to hold the head pipe right up to the head so that the fastener at the head is only holding the head pipe firmly to the head and not supporting the exhaust system. Many times the weight of the exhaust or tension from improperly installed exhaust will constantly be pulling on the head pipe and that will cause the fastener to loosen.

 

Ditto on what Megawatt says. The exhaust bolt should not support the weight of the pipe or be used to close the gap. Properly fitted and supported the exhaust bolts should rarely loosen.

 

Thanks for the info, I had blinders on and never thought of the support bracket. We just melted out of 15 inches of snow, so I have a bit of time to bolt up pipes and check the fit of the bracket. Also like the stud idea, so will likely implement both, as this is the ONLY issue I have had with this shovel in the 15k after I rebuilt her. Thanks again.

 

absolutely make sure your pipes are fitted right, But you may want to look into bolts such as these. http://www.jegs.com/p/Ford+Racing/763598/10002/-1

 

I had the same problem on my 73 FX. I went and got some grade 8 bolts and lockwashers, and put white locktite thread sealant on the threads before inserting. It comes in a white jar almost like pipe dope. So far so good.

 

Like what the former posts said check the complete pipe installation from head to rear mounts , 90% of thetime I get a shovel for exhaust studs or broken holes it's because the nobody paid any attention to the rear mount bracket alignment with the pipe . Vibration on shovel will rattle that stud loose FAST . Check the fit and if you have to take round file or die grinder and open the slot on the pipe where the stud comes through to get the pipe to fit in closer to the bike and bracket and then red or green locite on the stud will hold it if the hole isn't wobbled out .