How does one fix a rusted out heat shield tab?
Thread Starter
|
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,895
Likes: 1,908
From: East Coast, USA
How does one fix a rusted out heat shield tab?
The right rear lower heat shield assembly on my 2011 Ultra just started rattling. It seems as though the keepers/tabs (for lack of a better word) that the worm drive clamp slides through have rusted out and the clamp isn't holding the heat shield. A new heat shield is over $140. Is there any method one can use to fix this? Keep in mind I do not have any welding equipment.
I was thinking if I could get some tabs, like in the attached picture, that I could use some JB Weld High Heat Epoxy to attach them. Is there a store that sells these tabs?
I was thinking if I could get some tabs, like in the attached picture, that I could use some JB Weld High Heat Epoxy to attach them. Is there a store that sells these tabs?
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 86
From: Centeral Coast, California
LQQK OUT: I too am not a welder, and occasionally take stuff to any number of machine shops in my area to have stuff like that fixed. I would think that you could do the same and it would cost you no more than a mere fraction of buying a new one.
Just one other idea...
Good luck.
Just one other idea...
Good luck.
Last edited by gipper; Aug 31, 2017 at 01:15 PM.
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 9
Likes: 4
From: FL
Thoroughly clean and then score all contact areas with a wire brush for maximum adhesion that the JB Weld will be applied to and you shouldn't have any issues if you let it cure and harden according to instructions.
Supporter
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 598
From: Northeast Louisiana
Exactly what I would do. Could easily build new tabs.
And the stainless screws won't rust. I would brad the nut with a punch so nut couldn't come off as well as maybe the highest strength loctite.
Trending Topics
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 2,246
Likes: 2,163
From: West Coast
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
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 186
Likes: 38
From: bendigo
common
repaired mine the shield was resting on the exhaust nut and it had been over tightened. what i did was got a thin piece of steel and fitted it insidethe existing tab, less force to my way of thinking, get a mig welder turn everything down dont want to blow holes! just click the trigger till it is good. Try welding on some scrap first till you happy.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 922
Likes: 898
From: Upstate NY
Chances are, if its rusted out, there isnt enough base metal to weld. JB weld will last about 3 minutes on a hot, vibrating exhaust.
As others said, start shopping ebay or swap meets. Is this stock exhaust? If so, consider that 50% of these bikes are running aftermarket exhaust...thats like half a million exhaust shields sitting in garage corners waiting to be found. You may also want to kindly ask a dealer what he has in his take off parts bin.
As others said, start shopping ebay or swap meets. Is this stock exhaust? If so, consider that 50% of these bikes are running aftermarket exhaust...thats like half a million exhaust shields sitting in garage corners waiting to be found. You may also want to kindly ask a dealer what he has in his take off parts bin.