loose slip-ons
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,160
Likes: 62
From: GA.
loose slip-ons
My damn slip-ons are loose, and I have a small exhaust leak on both sides. I fooled with them quite a bit this afternoon and got them a lot better, but they still aren't perfect. At first I thought it was just the clamps, but I have another set of slip-ons that I tried. They were really tight, and didn't leak without even being clamped at all. I would use them, but I knocked the plugs out of the other ones, and prefer to run them. I want to keep the tight set in case I ever want to put quiet ones back on. I thought about using a little red high temp permatex on the loose ones. What do you guys think?
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 8
From: Atlanta, GA
Definitely use some Ultra Copper silicone. I'd use a generous amount on the exhaust pipe and inside the neck of the muffler. Use new clamps and torque to specs. I'd wait a day before running so the silicone drys and cures.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
Beer can shims........Cut some rectangular shims outt an aluminum can using sharp scissors. Put them between the clamp and muffler flange. The shims will help seal the slits in the muffler flanges and make the clamps grip better....Been using them under the clamps on my Ironhead for years. Works great.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 73
Likes: 1
From: Apex, NC "The peak of good living"
It seems to be normal for newly installed mufflers to loosen up after a ride. I put some '09 stock mufflers on and tightened them with an 18" breaker bar and after a couple of rides noticed a loud vibrating noise. This is my first Harley so I didn't know what sounds are normal and what aren't. I was going past the dealer so I stopped in and the service manager came out and looked. He could easily slide the left muffler with his hand. He told me to tighten them and to check them for the next couple of weeks. I had to tighten them two more times before they settled in.
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,160
Likes: 62
From: GA.
If I tighten mine any more, I'll break the bolts in the clamps. I may try the shims, but I don't know if there's enough room to get them in. The shields of my duals are also part of the problem. I'm hesitant to glue them up much, 'cause it's gonna be a major pain to clean all that off if I ever need to. Thanks for all the ideas. One of them will work, I'm sure.
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Banned
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 378
Likes: 1
try just going and buying new exhaust clamps where the pipes slip on the heads. I had the same problem with mine and I got new ones on and they fit fine. Just a thought before I start smearing crap on my pipes
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
when using slipons, you're supposed to smear crap on your pipes. you want to make sure you get a good seal between the head pipe and muffler. at least with the two slipons that i've done, rineharts, and vance and hines....
