Muffler rubber mount fix
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 3
From: Chattanooga, TN
Muffler rubber mount fix
The muffler rubber mounts in the rear wear out, and dry out very quickly due to the heat, they become loose, hard, rattle and squeak.
I discovered a quick fix. First the mufflers must slide within the rubber mount. They move with the engine torque. Do not tie them down or prevent them from moving or something else will break within the exhaust system.
Remove the two small bolts and slide out the bracket on the rear of the muffler under the bag mounts. Lubricate the rubber bushing with silicone inside top and bottom along with the bracket you just removed. Reinstall the bracket upside down (you will need to force in) and line up the bolt holes. Snug down the bolts, be sure to use blue loctite. Rattle and looseness stopped, and the muffler can still move with the engine. Clean any excess silicone spray off the mufflers with acitone or mineral spirits. Keep the silicone off the floor !!! Put news paper under your work area. Trust me on this one.
Steve
I discovered a quick fix. First the mufflers must slide within the rubber mount. They move with the engine torque. Do not tie them down or prevent them from moving or something else will break within the exhaust system.
Remove the two small bolts and slide out the bracket on the rear of the muffler under the bag mounts. Lubricate the rubber bushing with silicone inside top and bottom along with the bracket you just removed. Reinstall the bracket upside down (you will need to force in) and line up the bolt holes. Snug down the bolts, be sure to use blue loctite. Rattle and looseness stopped, and the muffler can still move with the engine. Clean any excess silicone spray off the mufflers with acitone or mineral spirits. Keep the silicone off the floor !!! Put news paper under your work area. Trust me on this one.
Steve
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,934
Likes: 43
From: Bloomfield, NM
RE: Muffler rubber mount fix
Steve,
I have found that a little brake fluid on the rubber mount also works well. Brake fluid will treat, lubricate, and restore the rubber without causing deterioation. I have a small oil can that I keep full of brake fluid and at every service I give the rubber mounts a little shot.
Regards,
Bill
I have found that a little brake fluid on the rubber mount also works well. Brake fluid will treat, lubricate, and restore the rubber without causing deterioation. I have a small oil can that I keep full of brake fluid and at every service I give the rubber mounts a little shot.
Regards,
Bill
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From:
Trying to save $4.00 ?
It's easier to solve this correctly. If you've gone to the trouble to take off the muffler mount, just REPLACE the rubber bushings, rather than jerry-rig the assembly. These things cost $2.00 each, and are the ONLY things H-D sells that cost under a left nut.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 960
Likes: 1
From: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
I'm bringing this thread to the top. I've been having this rattling problem myself shortly after the bike warms up. Now I know it's the muffler mount. Anyone have a Harley part number for the rubber mount?
Last edited by StreetGlider57; Jul 6, 2010 at 04:19 PM.
After emailing Jamie at FuelMoto who advised me to removed the baffle and tapered the end of it to make it fit a little more snug inside the muffler. After I did this the rattle was gone.
So if you change out the rubber mounts and still have the rattle you might want to give it a try.
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Road Warrior
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I thought my baffle was rattling too. Took off the saddlebags and grabbed to mufflers one at a time wearing a leather glove. Thought maybe the rubber mount might be the culprit, thought it was a longshot but disassembled the mount/plate. Used vasaline so it would not eat the rubber and sure as hell the rattle is gone. seems strange anything made of rubber casuing a rattle noise
