How Do You Install New Mufflers?
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: New Jersey
How Do You Install New Mufflers?
Last week I installed my Jackpots. I brushed on some High Temp Anti Seize around the outside end of the headpipes, then slipped on the mufflers and torqued the clamps to spec. Is this standard procedure or should I have used something else - or nothing else?
I haven't been able to ride since the installation, since the weather here on the East Coast has been rather rainy lately.
Thanks for any insights.
I haven't been able to ride since the installation, since the weather here on the East Coast has been rather rainy lately.
Thanks for any insights.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 7
From: Hoffman Estates, IL
I do pretty much the same thing every time (and there have been many times). Except for the anti-seize, or the proper torque (or even new clamps for that matter)...
I'm sure you're stylin'...
I'm sure you're stylin'...
Tourer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 450
Likes: 2
Very sound advice. There is a reason for torque specifications and sequences. Whenever those specs are available, no compromise, I follow them. It's your bike, so do as you will.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,739
Likes: 9,254
From: Snow Hill, NC
If you are talking about those torca clamps... torque specs won't be worth a crap after they are used more than once because they stretch... tighten the crap out of them, If you are talking about the studs that come out of the heads then anti seize and tight to torque then recheck after a ride.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,310
Likes: 2,450
From: Eastern NE
As long as you slid the pipes on just past the crimp groove, used HT silicone & torque to spec - should be good to go. Note: Liquid copper is your friend...never had exhaust leaks since using this suff (great product). Nothing more annoying than exhaust leaks...
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,508
Likes: 169
From: WPB, FL
No anti-seize and always used NEW CLAMPS! Never used a torque wrench on a clamp, just make sure it's good and tight. Never had a problem.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
Likes: 7,207
From: Oxford, Nc
Yeah I know. Torque wrench is correct, though I've never used one on an exhaust clamp.
Just snug the clamp, fire the bike and tighten until the leak stops, if necessary.
(There is no way you're gonna' break that clamp bolt accidentally.)
((I re-use the clamps too.))
Just snug the clamp, fire the bike and tighten until the leak stops, if necessary.
(There is no way you're gonna' break that clamp bolt accidentally.)
((I re-use the clamps too.))
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 69
From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC
Sometimes you can get away with reusing the muff clamp if it was originally torqued at the bottom end of the torque range. Like it or not, they are single use items. But lots of guys (not you) would rather do a job over than spend the $14 needed to purchase two new clamps and do it right the first time. Using the silver anti-seize is good engineering practice in that it provides easier removal of the mufflers after years of being clamped to the same header. Seized mufflers are not easy to remove and the force required sometimes upsets other clamps and fasteners in the exhaust train.
I'm certainly no expert, but I doubt that very many can feel what 38 to 43 ft pounds of torque feels like, so to say that you just snug them and look for leaks is a pretty good guarantee that you will find leaks. Maybe not today, but somewhere out there in the middle of a ride when it is least expected (or wanted), the rattles and leaks will start. Been there done that and now know better.
I'm certainly no expert, but I doubt that very many can feel what 38 to 43 ft pounds of torque feels like, so to say that you just snug them and look for leaks is a pretty good guarantee that you will find leaks. Maybe not today, but somewhere out there in the middle of a ride when it is least expected (or wanted), the rattles and leaks will start. Been there done that and now know better.