Loose left muffler
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 955
Likes: 2
From: Missouri
Loose left muffler
Had slip ons installed and now I've noticed while cleaning bike today that my left muffler is loose. Not a lot but definately not snug. Getting some side to side and up and down play where it attaches to the rubber mount on the saddlebag guard rail. Right muffler is snug. Do I need a new rubber mount insert? Started it up and noticed how much more the left saddlebag shakes compared to the right.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,032
Likes: 9
From: Alabama
RE: Loose left muffler
Try tightening the clamps. If that doesn't work go buy a new clamp from your dealer for $10. (I had to buy two after I installed my slipons.) The clampsstretch each time you tighten them & wear out after one or two uses. That shouldfix it.
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 955
Likes: 2
From: Missouri
RE: Loose left muffler
I checked the bolt on the front clamp and the bolts where it attaches to the sadllebag support rail bracket. All are tight. I pushed the rubber mount forward with my finger and wa-la it snuged right up. Seems to me, and I am no mechanic, that the rubber mount on the saddlebag support rail bracket is stretched or worked it's way out of position.
My other theory now is that when I pushed on the rubber mount, I pushed the entire muffler forward. If that's the case and the clamp will not tighten anymore, I guess I should probably get a new clamp.
My other theory now is that when I pushed on the rubber mount, I pushed the entire muffler forward. If that's the case and the clamp will not tighten anymore, I guess I should probably get a new clamp.
Tourer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 473
Likes: 8
From: Chelsea, AL
RE: Loose left muffler
Check the clamp position. I had some work done to my bike and when they put it back together, they pushed the clamp too far up on muffler and covered part of the muffler where there is no slot. Loosen the clamp and slide towards the end of the muffler and retighten. This may do the job just fine. The rubber mount is for support and vibration dampening, and should last a long time.
Hopes this helps!
Hopes this helps!
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 955
Likes: 2
From: Missouri
RE: Loose left muffler
I checked. It is flush with the heat shield. If I move the clamp anymore toward the muffler it will stick out from under the heat shield.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Loose left muffler
The clamp has to be located over the slots at the end of the muffler or it will never tighten right. If doing that puts it someplace where you don't want it, you can loosen the bolts at the back bracket and it has some adjustment capabilities. Also I have had the rubber shrink at the back bracket and caused a squeak during idle. The only way I could make it go away permanently was to replace the rubber.
Advanced
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Loose left muffler
Dalejb is right, the clamps need to be over the slots at the end of the muffler. The further the clamp is away from the end of the muffler the harder it will be to tighten it with the result of not having the end of the pipe completely tight, therefore, causing pipe slippage. I had the same problem when I purchased my V&H slip-ons. After them slipping 3 times and me retightening the clamps 3 times at different intervals I realized that the clamps V&H sent me were not adequate for keeping the mufflers tight on the pipes. I went to my local indie shop and bought some heavy duty clamps and now no more slippage. You would think that after spending that much money on the V&H mufflers they would at least send you good clamps!