Rear muffler support bolts

[Phu Cat]

Since the new catless head pipes made our stock mufflers sound terrible, I thought I'd try swapping the stock Trike mufflers for an older set I hoped would get rid of the raspyness. But I can't get a socket over the 1/2" bolts and a wrench isn't deep enough to loosen them either. How do ya get the rear muffler support bracket loose?

Phu Cat

 

[iaff84]

1/4 inch ratchet setup worked for me, small enough to get in there.
Dennis

 

[trikermutha]

Since the new catless head pipes made our stock mufflers sound terrible, I thought I'd try swapping the stock Trike mufflers for an older set I hoped would get rid of the raspyness. But I can't get a socket over the 1/2" bolts and a wrench isn't deep enough to loosen them either. How do ya get the rear muffler support bracket loose?

Phu Cat

Is your trike a 2009 or 2010?? If so you need a offset rachet wrench..The 2011 on up have much more room to put a socket wrench into that area..

Its a tight fit on the earlier models I found out..

 

[Boom]

Since the new catless head pipes made our stock mufflers sound terrible, I thought I'd try swapping the stock Trike mufflers for an older set I hoped would get rid of the raspyness. But I can't get a socket over the 1/2" bolts and a wrench isn't deep enough to loosen them either. How do ya get the rear muffler support bracket loose?

Phu Cat

On my 2010, I was able to use a half inch box end.

 

[Phu Cat]

Tmutha, Gonna have to try the offset ratchet. Our trike is a 2012.

PC

 

[trikermutha]

Tmutha, Gonna have to try the offset ratchet. Our trike is a 2012.

PC

oh i think the newer models had more room to where you could use a 1/4 drive rachet and socket..

well good luck

 

[M.A.T.]

After trying a flex head ratcheting wrench, a offset wrench and meditation I finally wound up using a 1/4" drive with a short socket on mine too, twice already. And my fingers are the size of bratwursts. I can tell you this though, roll it up on a set of standard car ramps, just the rear tires, and you will be able to work at them 10 times easier than any other way.

Rob

 

[Phu Cat]

Finally got them darned pipes changed out. A 1/4" ratched still wouldn't fit between the mounting bracket and the trike body. I hadn't gotten to the point where I thought loosening the front muffler clamp was necessary until I realized moving the rear muffler mounting bracket forward or backward helps get a 1/2" wrench fully seated on the mounting bolts. Things went a LOT faster then. Using a strap wrench to turn the mufflers while pulling on them made getting the mufflers off the pipes real easy.

Phu Cat

 

[TriGlide]

Gear wrench. Is a Thin 12pt ratchet box wrench. I used them on a 09-10-11 TriGlide. To change out Mufflers. Sears sells them. The longer rubber Isolator. That is on the rear muffler bracket. Of the 2011 and 12 TriGlide Can be a pain to slide (move) to get the wrench on the bolt head.

 

[jcolson]

Has anyone had trouble with the rear muffler rubber isolater sliding out of the bracket? My left rear keeps sliding out,then the muffler is bouncing up & down all the time. It's a real pain to get back in. Anybody have a solution? Jim

 

[Mr.Wizard]

Has anyone had trouble with the rear muffler rubber isolater sliding out of the bracket? My left rear keeps sliding out,then the muffler is bouncing up & down all the time. It's a real pain to get back in. Anybody have a solution? Jim

Jim... thought HD fixed that issue with the new style isolater?

 

[trikermutha]

Where they installed properly?? Just wondering???

 

[lzski326]

My 2009 had the same problem, the the HD shop put new 2011's on and they are good now. I think the newer one's were longer.

 

[TNTriker]

Since the new catless head pipes made our stock mufflers sound terrible, I thought I'd try swapping the stock Trike mufflers for an older set I hoped would get rid of the raspyness. But I can't get a socket over the 1/2" bolts and a wrench isn't deep enough to loosen them either. How do ya get the rear muffler support bracket loose?

Phu Cat

When we made the catless change on my SG trike, I had the Jackpot slipons, didn't like the sound after either. So on the TG, I'll keep the cat, still have the Jackpot slipons and the sound is beautiful!

 

[jcolson]

Mine is a 2011tri-glide. The right isolater has never come off. It is a long one too. I was at the dearship today & he checked to see if there was an after market one. Guess not. He didn't even have an answer for me. Sounds like once they got my money they don't want to help me now. That sucks. Plus the left muffler has always hung lower than the right one. I've tried everything to lift it up to match the other,but nothing works. Has anyone else had this problem? Then I asked again about the left side lower than the right. No answer. I'm just about ready to go back to the dealer I bought my other bikes from. I spent a hell of alot of money in that place!! Guess I've bitched enough,sorry. Jim

 

[10rhrk]

Mine is a 2011tri-glide. The right isolater has never come off. It is a long one too. I was at the dearship today & he checked to see if there was an after market one. Guess not. He didn't even have an answer for me. Sounds like once they got my money they don't want to help me now. That sucks. Plus the left muffler has always hung lower than the right one. I've tried everything to lift it up to match the other,but nothing works. Has anyone else had this problem? Then I asked again about the left side lower than the right. No answer. I'm just about ready to go back to the dealer I bought my other bikes from. I spent a hell of alot of money in that place!! Guess I've bitched enough,sorry. Jim

Jim, If your question hasn't been answered yet, here is my fix. I don't know about longer isolator's for the newer Tri-Glides? My wife's 2010 and now her 2012 did the same. Isolator's would work forward out of the bracket. I slid her's back in and put a large ty-rap around the bracket in front of the isolator. Problem solved! It still has plenty of room to slide when exhaust system heats up.

 

[jcolson]

Thanks Ron, I thought maybe I was the only one having trouble with the isolater. I'll try your suggestion. If that doesn't work I'll drill a hole & install a bolt & nut behind it. I really haven't thought too much about it. It is a pain in the butt to get it back in when it happens. Luckily it hasn't happened on a trip. I always carry enough tools to fix about everything. My wife gives me more grieve about all the tools. They just don't understand. I've had to fix other peoples bikes also. Jim Thanks again Ron.

 

[donjack]

Mine is a 2011tri-glide. The right isolater has never come off. It is a long one too. I was at the dearship today & he checked to see if there was an after market one. Guess not. He didn't even have an answer for me. Sounds like once they got my money they don't want to help me now. That sucks. Plus the left muffler has always hung lower than the right one. I've tried everything to lift it up to match the other,but nothing works. Has anyone else had this problem? Then I asked again about the left side lower than the right. No answer. I'm just about ready to go back to the dealer I bought my other bikes from. I spent a hell of alot of money in that place!! Guess I've bitched enough,sorry. Jim

Jim, take it back to the dealer and have the check out the level adjustment bar, to make sure the bike is level. I have a 2011 as my friend, we both had 2011 that were lower one inch on the left side. The dealer at Man of War Harley in Lexington corrected this by leveling out the adjusThumbUptment bar on the bike , simple fix if your dealer knows what he is doing.

 

[10rhrk]

Jim, take it back to the dealer and have the check out the level adjustment bar, to make sure the bike is level. I have a 2011 as my friend, we both had 2011 that were lower one inch on the left side. The dealer at Man of War Harley in Lexington corrected this by leveling out the adjusThumbUptment bar on the bike , simple fix if your dealer knows what he is doing.

Wife's Triglide did it on both sides. Her 2010 SG Trike and her 2012 is level. The rubber isolator's slid forward on her's. The Triglide sit's down a little in the rear, If level was the problem, the isolator would slide the opposite way.
If it was out side to side, how would that effect the isolator? Maybe the Dealer does have longer isolator's to fix the problem?

 

[Oldmsocko]

Wife's Triglide did it on both sides. Her 2010 SG Trike and her 2012 is level. The rubber isolator's slid forward on her's. The Triglide sit's down a little in the rear, If level was the problem, the isolator would slide the opposite way.
If it was out side to side, how would that effect the isolator? Maybe the Dealer does have longer isolator's to fix the problem?

They came out in late 2009 with longer isolaters. I had the same problem with my 09. I bought the longer isolaters and the problem was solved.

 

[10rhrk]

They came out in late 2009 with longer isolaters. I had the same problem with my 09. I bought the longer isolaters and the problem was solved.

Her 2010 and the 2012 probably had the longer Isolator's Mike. They didn't come completely out. They slid forward and only had about 1/2 inch inside the U-clamp support bracket that was welded to the frame. I was afraid with the bouncing and vibration, they might force the rest of the way or tear. I slid them back and placed a large ty-rap around the plate that slides through the Rubber Isolator. Still has plenty of room to move. Last time I checked, they were ok.

 

[jcolson]

My trike is a 2011. The isolaters are like 2" long. The left one slides out the back where the bracket angles up. My left side is 1/4" lower than the right. Probably not enough to worry about. It does pull to the right, but it has to be the crown. It is not as bad since I installed the lift kit. When I say something about getting the bike to sit level, the tech pretty much blows me off. He must think it's such a little thing he doesn't want to mess with it. Once he asked me for a case#. I asked anyone on here if they had a case# but got no response. The weather has been so crappy, you can't ride anyway. Ride safe, Jim

 

[10rhrk]

My trike is a 2011. The isolaters are like 2" long. The left one slides out the back where the bracket angles up. My left side is 1/4" lower than the right. Probably not enough to worry about. It does pull to the right, but it has to be the crown. It is not as bad since I installed the lift kit. When I say something about getting the bike to sit level, the tech pretty much blows me off. He must think it's such a little thing he doesn't want to mess with it. Once he asked me for a case#. I asked anyone on here if they had a case# but got no response. The weather has been so crappy, you can't ride anyway. Ride safe, Jim

Jim, if you are not satisfied with the way the Dealer is handling this, call customer service. They will give you a case# and make an appointment with a Dealer. I had this same issue back in 09 with my front tire cupping. The Dealer I bought the bike from didn't act like he wanted do anything about it. I called Customer service and was given a case# and was asked if I wanted them to contact the Dealer. I told them I had rather deal with another Dealer. She set me up an appointment with another Dealer. Took the bike down with the case#. The Dealer not only replaced the front tire under warranty, he also replaced the rear. Said it was cupping also. Don't let these Dealer's screw you around. Ride Safe! Ron

 

[rhino 2]

My trike is a 2011. The isolaters are like 2" long. The left one slides out the back where the bracket angles up. My left side is 1/4" lower than the right. Probably not enough to worry about. It does pull to the right, but it has to be the crown. It is not as bad since I installed the lift kit. When I say something about getting the bike to sit level, the tech pretty much blows me off. He must think it's such a little thing he doesn't want to mess with it. Once he asked me for a case#. I asked anyone on here if they had a case# but got no response. The weather has been so crappy, you can't ride anyway. Ride safe, Jim

'

I had my 11T/G in for a stage 1 and down load, While the service manger was writhing it up i mention to him that the left side was lower than the right, Without saying another word they fixed it while i waited. [warranty]
Seems like quite a few T/G's came out of the factory lopsided. :Shrug:

 

[Oldmsocko]

Her 2010 and the 2012 probably had the longer Isolator's Mike. They didn't come completely out. They slid forward and only had about 1/2 inch inside the U-clamp support bracket that was welded to the frame. I was afraid with the bouncing and vibration, they might force the rest of the way or tear. I slid them back and placed a large ty-rap around the plate that slides through the Rubber Isolator. Still has plenty of room to move. Last time I checked, they were ok.

Her 2010 probably didn't have them as Mike's don't Ron. When I bought mine I also got him a set also. I can tell you I am getting thirsty.

 

[10rhrk]

Her 2010 probably didn't have them as Mike's don't Ron. When I bought mine I also got him a set also. I can tell you I am getting thirsty.

Yeah, me too Mike! I've been private messaging M3 thanking him for his info on Modular helmet's. I bought the HJC CL-Max II. Great helmet! I yanked the windshield off and put it in storage. Love to feel the wind! Counting the days until we can share some Diet Root Beer and ride the hills.

 

[jcolson]

Hopefully I will see you guys in Maggie Valley. I'm trying to go down with Dennis. Thanks for all the info. Do you think 1/4" low on the left side would actually make any difference?

 

[rhino 2]

Hopefully I will see you guys in Maggie Valley. I'm trying to go down with Dennis. Thanks for all the info. Do you think 1/4" low on the left side would actually make any difference?

1/4 inch doesn't seem like much i don't think i would have notice that, Mine was a inch low, That said for 30 grand a Trike should be level, Plus it is a warranty fix.:Shrug:

 

[msocko3]

Hopefully I will see you guys in Maggie Valley. I'm trying to go down with Dennis. Thanks for all the info. Do you think 1/4" low on the left side would actually make any difference?

I hope you make it, its a great time and lots of great folks.

 

[trikedog007]

rear muffler support bolts

i have a 2015 tri-glide and i have no trouble getting the bolts off. like some have said i find using a 1/2in wrench box end and on the other end the new wratchet closed end both work great. and i have big axx hands . i also find that you can move the rubber cushion some to give you some room.