PDA

View Full Version : Lots of play in ball flange headers - should they hold up side pipes?



mmklaxer
06-20-2023, 06:31 PM
I just got my side pipes back from ceramic coat and installed the first one. I have tightened the ball flanges on the headers as much as i dare, but the side pipes still sag without something under them to hold the rears up. I do not yet have the hangers installed, as I was waiting to put the body on to position them.

Is this normal? The FF build video makes it look like they are fairly tight, but mine don't appear to get that level of tightening. I'm not super comfortable tightening anymore without shearing a bolt. I'm at the point where I'm about to put the body on, so I can always just install the body, position it, then install the hangers if necessary. My other option is to temporarily hold up the rears until the body is on, but that still begs the question as to whether the fronts will droop and look wrong.

JohnK
06-20-2023, 06:36 PM
I don't have experience with the FFR ball flange headers but I had a similar problem with the ball flange headers from Gas-N slipping. I posted about it in my build thread here (https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?31167-Greek-Guys-Garage-Roadster-Build-9509-(Nice-shoutout-on-Insta-about-my-build)&p=525182&viewfull=1#post525182) and here (https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?31167-Greek-Guys-Garage-Roadster-Build-9509-(Nice-shoutout-on-Insta-about-my-build)&p=525833&viewfull=1#post525833).

michael everson
06-20-2023, 06:51 PM
You should be able to tighten them up enough to hold their own weight. Never had a set that didn’t
Mike.

facultyofmusic
06-21-2023, 02:31 PM
Interestingly I've never seen one that didn't sag over time. I bet mike's seen more than me so... :p

mmklaxer
06-21-2023, 02:36 PM
I was able to tighten it last night without snapping a bolt. Really had to put some umph in it, but all good now. Thanks!

Indy Shu
06-21-2023, 03:08 PM
Interestingly I've never seen one that didn't sag over time. I bet mike's seen more than me so... :p

I don't think anyone would say to drive it like that. Only in the garage.

JeffP
06-21-2023, 03:39 PM
I put 700mi on mine with no hangers, never sagged.