Dealing with squeaky muffler mounts

On touring models of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, such as my 2006 FLHTCI Electra Glide Classic, the two mufflers hang from a bracket buffered by a rubber pad. I've included a photo of a new rubber muffler mount at left. It's HD part number 65724-85 and it cost me $2.03 at the local Harley dealership.

I've been riding Harley touring bikes since 2000, about 135,000 miles since then, and I continue to be surprised how loudly these little rubber pieces can squeak when the vibrating exhaust pipe rubs the dried rubber against the metal retaining plate. 

You can temporarily remedy the racket by spraying some silicone lubricant on the rubber mount. However, at two bucks apiece and the 15 minutes you need to change each one, I recommend you keep them in stock in your garage and replace them at the first sign they've dried out.

To replace one of these rubber mounts, follow this procedure:

Step 1: Remove the saddle bag.

Step 2: Using a ratchet wrench with an extension bar to clear the saddle bag guard bars, remove the two fasteners holding the retaining plate and slide the plate out from the center of the rubber mount.

Step 3: Note on the rubber piece that there is a tab on the top of one end. This is important to note because you will want to push the rubber mount in the direction with the tabbed end leading. (As I discovered before I noticed this tab, it's difficult to push that end out of the metal frame.) I use a large flathead screw driver to push the mount out.

Step 4: Insert the new rubber mount, insert the mounting plate into the rubber piece, and use the two fasteners you removed earlier to reattach the muffler at the welded, threaded mount points to the metal retaining plate.

Step 5: Put your saddle bag back on and enjoy the quiet of the new rubber muffler mount.

Imagine how many poor riders have paid mechanics (or "technicians" as they liked to be called) big bucks to fix a mysterious squeaking noise at the back of their bike when all it took was 15 minutes of labor and a $2 part to eliminate. It's this kind of experience that motivates me to share with you what I've learned...often the hard (and expensive) way.

Keep the shiny side up!

-The Long Rider