Harley Davidson Forums

Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Exhaust flange nuts help.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 3, 2018 | 04:53 PM
Share
  #1  
Tw4481's Avatar
Tw4481
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 20
Likes: 5
From: Katy, Texas
Default Exhaust flange nuts help.
Installed new pipes last night and there is not enough room between the flange nut and pipe to get a socket head on it to torque it down. What do ya'll suggest? I'm thinking a crowfoot socket with a welded arm, but can't seem to find one.
 
Reply
0
Old Aug 3, 2018 | 05:11 PM
Share
  #2  
FreedomRider's Avatar
FreedomRider
Road Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 339
From: Northeastern Indiana
Default
do you have the heat shields on the new pipes … if so, remove them to get more room for the socket … you should be able to get a socket on all the flange nuts …
 
Reply
0
Old Aug 3, 2018 | 05:16 PM
Share
  #3  
painterguy39's Avatar
painterguy39
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 76
Likes: 18
From: mpls,minnesota
Default
Sometimes you just need to use a wrench and trust the torque to your wrist.Cant get a socket on two of the four on my fatbob.
 
Reply
0
Old Aug 3, 2018 | 05:33 PM
Share
  #4  
QC's Avatar
QC
Seasoned HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
Likes: 19,811
From: Centennial, CO
Default
The frame downpipe gets in the way of the extension on one of mine, otherwise a 1/2" Craftsman socket fits just fine, even with the heatshields on.
 
Reply
0
Old Aug 3, 2018 | 08:01 PM
Share
  #5  
whylee's Avatar
whylee
Road Warrior
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,625
Likes: 349
From: The Biggest Little City, Reno, NV
Default
The only ones I ever have an issue with are the top nuts because of the heat shields. I just use a 1/4 inch drive socket and extension and problem solved.
 
Reply
0
Old Aug 3, 2018 | 08:37 PM
Share
  #6  
golfblues's Avatar
golfblues
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,741
Likes: 1,599
From: Danbury CT
Default
I use a swivel socket extension or a wobble extension and I have no problem on either bike
 
Last edited by golfblues; Aug 3, 2018 at 08:45 PM.
Reply
0
Old Aug 3, 2018 | 11:10 PM
Share
  #7  
Scuba10jdl's Avatar
Scuba10jdl
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,212
Likes: 212
Default
The proper combo of swivel joints, extensions, and short sockets works. It's a pain in the ***, but it's a must have for Harley work.
 
Reply
0

Trending Topics

Old Aug 4, 2018 | 12:26 AM
Share
  #8  
hscic's Avatar
hscic
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 4,890
Likes: 553
From: USA
Default
A lot of good suggestions above. I used a 1/4" drive and long extension to get it through..then use an 1/4" to 3/8" drive adapter with 3/8" swivel joint and socket.....if that makes sense. Only recall having this issue on the front head pipe.
 
Last edited by hscic; Aug 4, 2018 at 12:27 AM.
Reply
0
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
Old Aug 4, 2018 | 07:23 AM
Share
  #9  
John Harper's Avatar
John Harper
HDF Community Team
10 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,601
Likes: 4,038
From: San Diego, CA
Community Team
Default
Originally Posted by whylee
The only ones I ever have an issue with are the top nuts because of the heat shields. I just use a 1/4 inch drive socket and extension and problem solved.
Great idea using 1/4" drive, especially because you don't want to snap those studs!!!!

John
 
Reply
0
Old Aug 4, 2018 | 09:29 AM
Share
  #10  
Tat2u's Avatar
Tat2u
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,392
Likes: 43
From: South Australia
Default
Originally Posted by John Harper
Great idea using 1/4" drive, especially because you don't want to snap those studs!!!!

John
most torque wrenches that are in inch/pounds (which is what you need for exhaust studs) would be 1/4" drive anyway
 
Reply
0
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Pipes/Exhaust removal
ghoticov
Softail Models
34
Sep 12, 2012 03:32 PM
Dual Exhaust install need help Please!!!!
SBJJC
Touring Models
13
Apr 2, 2012 04:16 PM
Exhaust removal
jnorbros1
Sportster Models
8
Jan 24, 2012 08:35 AM
Tight fit
essentialcycle
Dyna Glide Models
3
Jul 26, 2010 12:21 PM
torx values of rxhaust nuts
firestar99
General Harley Davidson Chat
1
May 7, 2006 11:13 PM
Back to Subforum
Sportster Models
View Next Unread
Headlight isnt working on 2014 48




Advanced Search
Reply Closed Thread Share
Forum Jump

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:35 AM.

story-0
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-6
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-7
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE