Q4 system frame clearance issue

Mine does that too. I haven't got any solution to it yet. It's pretty snug but I don't like how it hits the frame. I thought about cutting off some of the bracket that the "dimple is there for but I hate to do it. I agree that for what it costs, the fit in that area isn't so great.

Are you sure you have it slipped all the way onto the header pipe? Try loosening the header pipe at the cylinder head and assemble the Q4 onto the header all the way, then tighten up everything starting at the cylinder head and working towards the tailpipe end. Finger tight then torque from front to rear.

I had this same problem, used one of the unused washers between the frame bracket and the exhaust to get a thumbnails thick of clearance.

Mine needed a couple of washers, too.

Sarah

My Q4 is supposed to be delivered today.

Have you found this issue with the stock header, or are most of you also using the powerbomb header?

I just wonder if a slight difference in bend in the powerbomb might cause a clearance issue that the stock header doesn't have?

Or is it just a pipe diameter difference that buggers things up a bit?

I've got the stock header. I think the Q4 just needs a bit more dimple. Have a couple of washers on hand and you'll likely be fine.

Sarah

I gots some washers. Thanks.

I feel like a 5 year old on X-mas morning before the sun comes up.

Jeez...at just under 300 clams I hate the idea of having to dent my pipe just to get it to fit.

Definitely gonna try any and every washer combination possible before I take that route.

Pics of the Q4 marked for dimpling & after installing it showing the clearance with the dimple.

Installed my powerbomb with powercore and had the same issue. even with every bolt loose before tightening, when tightening the middle pipe mount bolt it hits the bracket....i just slowly cranked it down....what's the risk to running it with the dimple touching the bracket ask long as it's tight?

just curious...

thanks!

I recently installed the Q4 on my 09 WR with the stock header and had the same clearance issues. I used washers and a longer bolt to solve the problem. The thing that has not sat comfortably with me is when i slid the pipe on the stock header, it slid up nice and snug to the lip but then i had to pull it back just a bit in order to get the bolt patterns to match. I pulled it out and put some more silicone on it just to make sure there would not be any exhaust leaks. It seems fine but was wondering if the FMF header is a snuggier fit?

The header for the pipe was made to fit snug, yes. I have the Q on mine, didn't have clearance issues. It came with a sleeve that is an incredibly snug fit. I have yet to have anything leak from any of the connections, even with the stock header.

That's strange. I have a powerbomb and q4 and they fit fine. The frame is close in the dimple area, but it clears. I've had mine off to repack it and it went back on fine too. I wonder if one production run was off. Has anyone contacted fmf to see what they say?

for what ever its worth, here are a few pics ..

this is the amount of washers it took to get enough clearance ..



The problem area .. the bolt that came with the Q4 would not even start to thread .. I had to go find a longer one ..



here she is after .. sounds and runs great with the Q4 .. my to-do-list is a long one

Fanatic wrote:

That's strange. I have a powerbomb and q4 and they fit fine. The frame is close in the dimple area, but it clears. I've had mine off to repack it and it went back on fine too. I wonder if one production run was off. Has anyone contacted fmf to see what they say?

I have been thinking more about this and it might be best to call them. I thought the problem would fix itself when I installed the powerbomb header but I may have the same issue. So I will call FMF and see what they say about it.

I had a real struggle with fitting my Q4. The PowerBomb went on like buttah, the Q4 took a lot of twisting hand pressure to really align properly, but I could NOT get the "middle" bolt on the Q4 to catch at all. The rear bolt threaded with no problems, but the middle bolt just felt too short. I had to really, really use a lot of muscle to bring the Q4 close enough to the frame to get that middle bolt to catch. It doesn't help that it's being threaded into a spring-like clip that pushes back as soon as the bolt puts any pressure on it. Great design

I called FMF and the guy I spoke to said as far as he knew I was the first to call about the clearance problem. I emailed the pics to him and also he said he would go check to make sure they sending the correct size bolt with the Q4's. But still even with a longer bolt you will still need washers and they are aware of the issue now. If more people who have this issue would call maybe they would look in to the problem. We might be due for a new pipe.

Here is the response from FMF ..

"Hello, I just got finished looking at you photos and it seems that everything looks exactly correct on your bike. The clearance issue is supposed to be close like that, because we have photos of the same bike we had in here a little while back and the fitment is the exact same as your bike. As far as the washers go, it looks like you got it to fit in there good and if you need to get a smaller bolt for it you can get one at your local hardware store, we do not sell single bolts here at FMF. The exhaust is supposed to slide on the pull back a little bit and be a tight fitment that is how we make all of our systems to fit. If you have any other issues feel free to call us. Thank you and have great day!"

Note: I think he meant to say longer bolt, not smaller.

My Q4 and powerbomb header bolted right up. I might have used a longer bolt at the frame but dont know - those little things usually I dont remember since I have hundreds of spare bolts. I did not use any sort of washer stack. The pipe dimple is very very close to the frame but isnt touching.

I also had major frustrations trying to get that damn bolt to catch. I got really pissed off since my silicone was starting to get really tacky. I tried to pop it off to have a closer look at the clip, and the damn thing flew up into the bike somewhere! I spent about an hour with a flashlight trying to find where the hell it went! I finally layed the bike over on it's left side hoping it might fall out from wherever it was lodged and nothing. Then I laid the bike all the way over on the right side and the little bastard finally fell out from god knows where.
Anyway, I reversed the clip or basically turned it upside down in the same position. This made the bolt go in easy as pie! I think the clip was supposed to be mounted upside down instead of the way it comes on the pipe from FMF. The part that the bolt screws into will extend towards the outside of the bike giving you about another half inch so the supplied bolt catches and tightens properly. It bolted up perfect that way and does not touch the frame either. When you reverse the clip, it works and fits awesome. Just an FYI in case anyone wants to save themselves an hour or so of aggravation...