Sway bar link just broke :(

[Mike,P]

I installed the Baha Ron sway bar and rode to Fla The bar works great but I just got back from a short ride w my daughter and heard a loud pop and sure as **** the plastic link on the right side is broke.. Am I gonna have any problems riding this back home to Michigan or should I get it fixed before I leave ??? There was a thread abt another guy who broke one too.. I tried to find the thread but couldn't .. If that guy could pm me and let me know what HARD PARTS ie steel replacements he used that would be great THX GUYS

[shelbydave]

Here's the link to the thread...
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...ghlight=skyway

I would def. get that fixed before riding from FLA to Michigan. That would be one thrilling ride...

[MouthPiece]

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...-this-happened

[Blue Star]

I installed the Baha Ron sway bar and rode to Fla The bar works great but I just got back from a short ride w my daughter and heard a loud pop and sure as **** the plastic link on the right side is broke.. Am I gonna have any problems riding this back home to Michigan or should I get it fixed before I leave ??? There was a thread abt another guy who broke one too.. I tried to find the thread but couldn't .. If that guy could pm me and let me know what HARD PARTS ie steel replacements he used that would be great THX GUYS

What year and model is your bike?

[Bob Denman]

A little bit of background information for the curious...

[SpyderAnn01]

He has a 2013 RT per a previous post.

[Bob Denman]

Thanks Anne!
Rabtech is also on a 2013... is there something going on here that should be given closer scrutiny?

[asp125]

Are the BajaRon bars overloading the Can Am links past their designed maximum load? Will an upgraded link be a necessary component as well when using Ron's bars?

[Jeriatric]

Thanks Anne!
Rabtech is also on a 2013... is there something going on here that should be given closer scrutiny?

"Closer scrutiny?"


BRP clearly states in their warranty section that issues like this are a dealer problem. Unless or until they (BRP) deem otherwise.

[diesel-dawg]

Thanks Anne!
Rabtech is also on a 2013... is there something going on here that should be given closer scrutiny?

I would be concerned that someone replaced an engineered and tested 2013 sway bar system with one that might not have been tested to the same depth, especially considering the nanny system that is designed to counteract issues with the stock equipment. I am not bad mouthing the replacement bar, but what if someone was killed using that replacement bar? I agree that before I replace that piece of equipment, I would ensure it would not void my warranty or provide just cause for the insurance company to deny a claim.

[SpyderAnn01]

I just re-read the thread that is referenced here and Ron says that there had been several broken heim thingies in 2013s but the OP in the reference thread was the first with Ron's bar This guy here would make two with the bar that we know of

[BajaRon]

There have been a rash of broken Heim links on the 2013's with the stock sway bar. Now 2 broken links with my 2013 sway bars. 1 on an ST, 1 on an RT. This seems to be a 2013 problem and I suspect we may be looking at a quality control issue with the 2013 Spyder links.

My bars do, by design, put more stress on the links but the pre-2013's have had no issues.

I am working on a better Heim link but it won't be ready right away. RabTech has put together a steel fix that should work well.

The replacement links from BRP are about $15.00 each.

I highly recommend getting this link replaced. I have sent you a PM

[Magdave]

OK so we need to start checking the build dates on the bikes with this failure. Anyone who this has happened to please post your "Born on" date from the rear swing arm sticker/plate please

[Bob Ledford]

I wonder how many incident's it legitimately takes for BRP to start a product quality assurance investigation?

From the pictures posted the existing link assembly has a definite defect in either the design or design stress test results. Or the producing vendor has engineering manufacturing problems.

i can remember my Dad , he was a mechanic, replacing sway bar linkage repair kits where he worked. As a GM Dealer Parts department manager for a number of years I stocked only a couple sets period as they were a very slow mover but we would sell enough to warrant stockage.

[Mike,P]

I apologize if I did not make it clear that I don't think this has ANYTHING to do with Rons swaybar / PERIOD!! I was in the middle of a tight u turn = almost zero speed with my daughter on the back 100 pnds maybe.. I heard a loud pop and based on a previous post I figured it was a link and it was.. I remember putting the swaybar on and thinking WTF when I seen the plastic links... So now I have to see if I can come up w something before I leave for Michigan on Sunday

[Chupaca]

the 2013's had a sway bar modification. I ordered a set up with the fox shocks because I was told it would work on the 2012. The shocks are shorter and the bar much larger. I would venture a guess that they picked up on Ron's bar but may not have adjusted the mounting. jmo you can drive it that way but best get it fixed for the long drive...somewhere along the way just call ahead so they don't hold you up... Good luck be safe..!!

[BajaRon]

the 2013's had a sway bar modification. I ordered a set up with the fox shocks because I was told it would work on the 2012. The shocks are shorter and the bar much larger. I would venture a guess that they picked up on Ron's bar but may not have adjusted the mounting. jmo you can drive it that way but best get it fixed for the long drive...somewhere along the way just call ahead so they don't hold you up... Good luck be safe..!!

They either lied to you or the don't know what they are doing. There is no upgrade for the pre-2013 models. The is an upgrade (Fox Shocks and heavier Sway Bar) which will only fit the RS, ST, STS and ST Ltd. (The RSS comes with these components). The Fox shocks are a good move but the upgrade sway bar is only slightly stiffer and does not do much for the Spyder.

I hope you took everything back and got all your money refunded.

[jerpinoy]

Good thing that we owners are talking (posting) and we can help each other.

[flamingobabe]

exhaust cracks in to...sway bar heim joint breaking....plus my problems...gas cap hot...gas spits out...sparks plugs white...running lean...melted brake cylinder..what else on these 13's

[asp125]

I doubt BRP will call this a quality issue if there have been no broken links with STOCK bars. What the aftermarket does with their parts has no bearing on BRP's "as engineered" design parameters.

[Blue Star]

There have been a rash of broken Heim links on the 2013's with the stock sway bar. Now 2 broken links with my 2013 sway bars. 1 on an ST, 1 on an RT. This seems to be a 2013 problem and I suspect we may be looking at a quality control issue with the 2013 Spyder links.

My bars do, by design, put more stress on the links but the pre-2013's have had no issues.

I am working on a better Heim link but it won't be ready right away. RabTech has put together a steel fix that should work well.

The replacement links from BRP are about $15.00 each.

I highly recommend getting this link replaced. I have sent you a PM

I don't have a 2013, but was thinking. I believe I read that the links are the same on the 2013 as they are for prior years (2008 thru 2012), so maybe the problem is the new higher position of the shocks?

[SpyderAnn01]

I doubt BRP will call this a quality issue if there have been no broken links with STOCK bars. What the aftermarket does with their parts has no bearing on BRP's "as engineered" design parameters.

There was one RT and one ST with the BajaRon swaybar that had the problem but there are several with the stock bar that have also had the problem. The problem is not the swaybar but the joint itself.

[Yelhelp]

I too have a broken link and just got two replacements that I will be putting on this AM. I have Rons anti-Sway bar and elka shocks with the new top pcs. Mine is a 2011 and I think it may have been broken a while. I plan on trying the factory links, but if they break again I have a set up in metal and that will be the next step. I got the metal from a speed shop and they had lots to pick from.

[Bob Denman]

exhaust cracks in to...sway bar heim joint breaking....plus my problems...gas cap hot...gas spits out...sparks plugs white...running lean...melted brake cylinder..what else on these 13's

How many plagues did Egypt have to endure, before Moses got the heck out of there?

[BajaRon]

I don't have a 2013, but was thinking. I believe I read that the links are the same on the 2013 as they are for prior years (2008 thru 2012), so maybe the problem is the new higher position of the shocks?

It has nothing to do with the shocks.

It is simply a matter of the stress exceeding the limits of the link. But since the 2013's use the same link as previous models, and since there have been almost zero problems with previous models (stock or custom sway bar installed) and since there have been several link failures with the stock 2013 sway bar, and since there seem to be quality control issues with other components on the 2013's, it appears that it is the link capabilities that are suspect in the specific cases where breakage has occurred.

If all of the links had the same stress limit then all would be fine or all would be breaking. At least on the RT's since they come stock with the stiffest sway bar and produce the highest amount of stress on these links. But even the ST's are having issues and the stock sway bar on this model is much weaker than on the RT's.