muffler clamps
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
muffler clamps
i am getting a used set of 3.5 inch Rinehart slip-ons tomorrow for my street glide. Can i use the existing muffler clamps or do i need to get new ones? Can't wait to hear them.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
the stock H-D Torca clamps are made to deform when torqued.
If they are cranked down, it is hard to get a good seal the next time.( so you are at the mercy of the last Guy who wrenched on them)
I can usually get 2 or 3 uses from a new clamp by torquing to the low end of the range...and for subsequent uses going up a couple of foot pounds.
easier if you use a torque wrench.
the darn clamps are stoopid expensive- but i don't know of another source or substitute that works as well
mike
If they are cranked down, it is hard to get a good seal the next time.( so you are at the mercy of the last Guy who wrenched on them)
I can usually get 2 or 3 uses from a new clamp by torquing to the low end of the range...and for subsequent uses going up a couple of foot pounds.
easier if you use a torque wrench.
the darn clamps are stoopid expensive- but i don't know of another source or substitute that works as well
mike
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,476
Likes: 193
From: Las Vegas, NV
Get new, they're cheap. Once you use them once they deform and may not seal correctly. I know a lot of guys just reuse them but for like $7 or so it just seems too inexpensive not to do it right.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
the stock H-D Torca clamps are made to deform when torqued.
If they are cranked down, it is hard to get a good seal the next time.( so you are at the mercy of the last Guy who wrenched on them)
I can usually get 2 or 3 uses from a new clamp by torquing to the low end of the range...and for subsequent uses going up a couple of foot pounds.
easier if you use a torque wrench.
the darn clamps are stoopid expensive- but i don't know of another source or substitute that works as well
mike
If they are cranked down, it is hard to get a good seal the next time.( so you are at the mercy of the last Guy who wrenched on them)
I can usually get 2 or 3 uses from a new clamp by torquing to the low end of the range...and for subsequent uses going up a couple of foot pounds.
easier if you use a torque wrench.
the darn clamps are stoopid expensive- but i don't know of another source or substitute that works as well
mike
That said, it's recommended to use new clamps but many, including me, have re-used them many times over with no ill effect. I'd re-use yours and then if (and that's a big if) there is a problem, replace it.
I've also successfully used a .005 - .010 shim between the clamp and the muffler on a problem child I had where the muffler always wanted to slide back a little over the course of hundreds of miles. Since I added the shim the muffler hasn't moved in 4,000 or 5,000 miles.
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