Tamper Proof Hardware

[spyderider1]

First a little history; this is my second summer on my Spyder, a 2016 RT Special. She's been in to the dealer twice, once for an error code and the second time for her annual oil & filter change. Thus, I've never had a need to remove any panels. A couple of weeks ago one of the hex screws that hold the dash module in place came loose, darn near fell out before I noticed it. So I retightened it and check the remain three and all were loose by as much as a quarter turn to a half. Upon check of many of the other fasteners I learned something else about the Spyder to which is the purpose of my post.

I come to find out that the four screws, two on each side, that attach the side panels just in front of the seat have hex heads but they're Tamper Proof so my wrenches won't work. They require a hex head with a hollow end to engage the hardware. I hadn't seen this before and spent the morning bouncing around to all the hardware stores looking for a Tamper Proof bit. Only one store had them and they were out of stock, I ended up ordering a kit on-line so that pretty much ends my story.

But I have to wonder, why only those four screws be Tamper Proof? And in that location on those two panels? Any thoughts, guesses, or bold faced lies?

[pegasus1300]

They are tamper proof because they don't want you to tamper with them.No this is not a smart ass answer. These are not really screws,they are posts that fit into rubber grommets that just pop out,so leave them alone.They may be loose but they won't fall out. The rubber grommets behind them are easy to push out of their holes so many of us have put tie wraps on them so they won't go anywhere when they do get pushed thru. I spray a little Windex on them so the pins will go in easier. Most everybody gets fooled by these posts at some time or another.

[canamjhb]

Those are tamper proof for a reason. They screw into a stud that pushes into a rubber grommet. They should not be removed. When removing that side panel just remove the other fasteners and pull the panel out of the rubber grommets.


pegasus1300 must have been typing the same time I was but beat me to the send button...... But, now you know and hopefully it is not too late to cancel your order for tools you don't need.

And, yup, I too scratched my head about those fasteners the 1st time I removed panels.

[spyderider1]

Thank you, mystery solved. Whats say we move on to Big Foot, Amelia Earhart, and D.B. Cooper.

[joekeys]

I had one of the screws for the dash come out. Put it back and tightened all of them. Was with someone else and he found one of his had come out.

[pegasus1300]

DB Cooper is dead. He was killed in the landing. Must have lived long enough to crawl off some where,cause when they founding the landing site there was only a torn bag a few bills and nothing else.But it's hard to kill off a good treasure story

Amelia Earhart is dead on some small atoll in the Pacific. Was probably injured in the crash and died waiting for someone to find her. But again it is hard to kill off a good story and boy do we love to speculate.

Bigfoot. Either "Finding Bigfoot" is going to find him and eat him or he is going to get fed up with them and eat them.

[jcthorne]

And just fyi the screws on the dash and most everywhere else on your spyder are not hex, they are Torx. Mostly T30 and T20.

[DGoebel]

...
I come to find out that the four screws, two on each side, that attach the side panels just in front of the seat have hex heads but they're Tamper Proof so my wrenches won't work. They require a hex head with a hollow end to engage the hardware. I hadn't seen this before and spent the morning bouncing around to all the hardware stores looking for a Tamper Proof bit. Only one store had them and they were out of stock, I ended up ordering a kit on-line so that pretty much ends my story....?

SpyderRyder1, there are also some YouTube Videos that our predecessors have posted showing panel removal that address those tamper proof posts
Shawn Smoak's Beautiful Can-Am Spyder RT Body Removal
Spyder Stuff's Can-am Spyder RT - How to Remove Panels
Doc Humphrey's 2014 Can Am Spyder RT Side Panel Removal

[spyderider1]

Thanks guys, appreciate your input.

[Vic]

Does anyone know were to buy the posts they are plastic and as they age they sometimes brake .I would like to order a few .

[Grandpot]

Does anyone know were to buy the posts they are plastic and as they age they sometimes brake .I would like to order a few .

Www.cheapcycleparts.com

[Bigmo]

The RT has only 4 of these screws(2 each side) and I don't think you can buy those posts unless from BRP. And the reason the screws head are safety type is for you to not play with them. The other posts are glued to the various panels. If you break one, well, good luck on that. I use a little dab of vaseline when I have to remove and re-install the panels. make the job a lot easier.