Muffler clamp issue
Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,772
Likes: 9
From: Texas, USA
Muffler clamp issue
My slip on mufflers are now not staying tighter on. After I crank the crap out of the nut I can still physically move the slip on Muffler in a circle. I can pull off the muffler and see that the clamp is completely tightened to the max yet it's still can just be pulled off.
Has anyone had issues like this?
Has anyone had issues like this?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,527
Likes: 57,084
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
Did you use new clamps? It's not uncommon for a used clamp to have trouble tightening down the muffler on the pipe ... and there is a torque spec on the clamp
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 671
Likes: 168
From: Ontario, Canada
If the clamp is completely tightened to the point that the ends touch it's stretched. I find that these can only be reused a couple of times before they need to be replaced. Service manual says they should be done every time. They're cheap, just go get a pair from the dealer.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
HD Torca clamps torque spec is about 35 ft lbs- and one use only as they deform on the 1.75" header
I usually try to go a little loose if I can get a seal...and have sometime gotten 2 or 3 uses out of the torca clamps
other type clamps I dunno- some aftermarket manufacturers supply clamps
if the header or muffler is out of round, you can get a die at harbor freight to reshape them
some riders use a high temp RTV sealant on the joint as well,
I have a couple of times in the past- the panhead headers are multipiece and fiddly when dealing with the "crap-termarket" where they are 90% correct...multiply that by the 4 pieces!
mike
I usually try to go a little loose if I can get a seal...and have sometime gotten 2 or 3 uses out of the torca clamps
other type clamps I dunno- some aftermarket manufacturers supply clamps
if the header or muffler is out of round, you can get a die at harbor freight to reshape them
some riders use a high temp RTV sealant on the joint as well,
I have a couple of times in the past- the panhead headers are multipiece and fiddly when dealing with the "crap-termarket" where they are 90% correct...multiply that by the 4 pieces!
mike
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 416
Likes: 14
From: Texas
Had an issue with my right side muffler only. Bought a new clamp and had it loosen up on my. I went to Home Depot and bought two thinner nuts and a lock washer. Will see it that combo holds it together or not.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,521
Likes: 185
From: Ft Myers FL
Make sure the mufflers are all the way in.....i took the hard bags off, then looking at the slide under the bags noticed that one was further in then the other....then tightened the clams and held......i also used a plastic mallet to make sure the mufflers were all the way in....every so often i check them and see that they DO slide out....
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Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 570
Likes: 135
From: DFW, TX
I had the same problem. Over torqued it trying to get it to seal. Went and bought a new clamp, they looked at me like I had two heads when I only bought one! Problem solved. Parts guy at dealer obviously knew what was going on. They are cheap, getcha a new one and be done with it.
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Joe Kucinski
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,226
Likes: 3,049
From: St.Louis Mo.
the bolts in these clamps are serrated and you have to make sure they are in the clamp all the way before tighting them up. better yet , you can take them apart and grind down the serrations and they will slide right together.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,005
Likes: 53
From: ID Ho
HD Torca clamps torque spec is about 35 ft lbs- and one use only as they deform on the 1.75" header
I usually try to go a little loose if I can get a seal...and have sometime gotten 2 or 3 uses out of the torca clamps
other type clamps I dunno- some aftermarket manufacturers supply clamps
if the header or muffler is out of round, you can get a die at harbor freight to reshape them
some riders use a high temp RTV sealant on the joint as well,
I have a couple of times in the past- the panhead headers are multipiece and fiddly when dealing with the "crap-termarket" where they are 90% correct...multiply that by the 4 pieces!
mike
I usually try to go a little loose if I can get a seal...and have sometime gotten 2 or 3 uses out of the torca clamps
other type clamps I dunno- some aftermarket manufacturers supply clamps
if the header or muffler is out of round, you can get a die at harbor freight to reshape them
some riders use a high temp RTV sealant on the joint as well,
I have a couple of times in the past- the panhead headers are multipiece and fiddly when dealing with the "crap-termarket" where they are 90% correct...multiply that by the 4 pieces!
mike
It used to be 45-60 ft lbs and we always torqued them to 55
Last edited by hog-doc; May 9, 2017 at 01:26 PM.