Belt tensioner Roller failed, ruined my belt.

[AY4B]

I was noticed the damage on the belt while hooking up my trailer after SITH. Felt under the side and the roller was gone. What was left dug into my belt. I'm having second thoughts about even having a belt tentioner.

[AY4B]

I already replaced the belt myself. The job was not nearly as hard as I was told by a dealer. No need to remove the wheel.

[DGoebel]

Factory Belt tensioner or aftermarket, and if aftermarket which?

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Factory Belt tensioner or aftermarket, and if aftermarket which?

………...Please share, it could be very important to other members here ….. not me tho, years ago I just decided lowering the belt tension considerably below spec was good enough for me …... Mike

[h0gr1der]

………...Please share, it could be very important to other members here ….. not me tho, years ago I just decided lowering the belt tension considerably below spec was good enough for me …... Mike

I'm with BLUEKNIGHT911 on this. I had a good vibration dampener from a reputable source, but chose to lower my tension and live with the very small amount of vibration that only happens occasionally for this very reason. If I recall correctly, Spyderanne01 had exactly this kind of roller failure, which led me to the removal of mine. It sure killed all the vibrations, but the risk to that very expensive belt is also ever present.

[AY4B]

FFDB4C3E-9A1A-480E-880C-D09D8DBC8B84.jpg

[treva]

I was noticed the damage on the belt while hooking up my trailer after SITH. Felt under the side and the roller was gone. What was left dug into my belt. I'm having second thoughts about even having a belt tentioner.

I have removed the vibration dampers from both our RT & F3-S. Originally I had the front & rear sprockets [pulleys] belt clearance on both machines absolutely perfect & almost no vibration. I decided to fit the dampers to try & eliminate the little vibs I had. I've spent untold hours moving the dampers on both bikes so that the rollers were precisely at right angles to the belt with the same over hang of the roller either side of the belt. I then ride it for a good distance & the last 200mts dead straight before I stop. Check the belt, & find the belt tight up against the rear sprocket flange, & tight up against the outer or inner flange on the front sprocket. I kid you not, the clearance was adjusted & checked at least 50-60 times. I don't give up easily & persisted TILL IT ALMOST DID MY HEAD IN.
I finally came to my senses & removed both dampers. I've found once these belts have been run out of alignment for some distance, they are very difficult to get back into line. After a lot of belt alignment procedures on both bikes, I finally have the belt clearances back to normal, with little vibration.
The dampers I purchased were NOT BRP.

[MeudtPG]

How long and how many miles before this failure? Thanks

FFDB4C3E-9A1A-480E-880C-D09D8DBC8B84.jpg

[Nobodyjj]

But whose were they, inquiring minds need to know. It is a nothing burger if the source isn’t identified.

[PMK]

Sorry to read this and see the photo. Ideally you decide on what is best and have no further concerns.

[spyder01]

Did you hear any warning noise?

[h0gr1der]

But whose were they, inquiring minds need to know. It is a nothing burger if the source isn’t identified.

The picture shows it wasn't OEM, as it has a metal arm. There are several out there constructed like this. I made my mind to delete due to a situation like Treva above, but on top of it all I kept smelling burning rubber (the dampener was aligned properly with no damage to the belt), which went away when I pulled the dampener. Not speaking against dampeners, they are in my "Best Improvement for a Buck" category, but in my mind I figured why risk it?

[AY4B]

It is a RR Damper Purchased in January of 2018 with 20,000 miles on it. It was one of the first things I bought for my new F3L. I did not hear any noise but my Spyder has a loud RLS exaust and I am an aggressive ryder that is hard of hearing. Doc is sending me another roller because it is still within the 2 year warranty. Also I was offered a Spider extras Damper at half price which I will get. I asked Doc what is the life of his roller supposed to be, hes said 25,000. I would recommend having it changed at 10,000-15,000 IMO.It looked like the barring froze up which caused the failure. I guess it can be taken apart and lubed but replacing it would be better or go without one. I did also have my front sprocket replace the first of this year due to red dust.

[AY4B]

My dealer did give me a 10% discount on the new belt. All you need to remove to replace it is the 2 side panels and the side bracket that holds the rear passenger floorboard. I removed the lower shock bolt to loosen the belt when it is jacked up a little.

[AY4B]

Looking back I had something happen that caused a bad vibration after Lamonsters Pie Run at Spyders in the Ozarks. I have felt minor vibration since and was wondering where it was coming from. I also noticed my missing belt guard is broken, probably from the pieces flying off the damper. I need to go back in to remove whats left.

[AY4B]

When that happened I also lost my DPS for a while. Dont ask me why, It started to work again after ryding around the hotel parking lot. Harvey Clark was sitting on his spyder and we were trying to figure out what just happened.

[LifeLongRider]

All you need to remove to replace it is the 2 side panels and the side bracket that holds the rear passenger floorboard. I removed the lower shock bolt to loosen the belt when it is jacked up a little.

Good information When you removed the left rear footrest support bracket and jacked the rear end up to remove the lower shock bolt was there any misalignment of the bolt holes getting it reassembled?

[AY4B]

Good information When you removed the left rear footrest support bracket and jacked the ��rear end up to remove the lower shock bolt was there any misalignment of the bolt holes getting it reassembled?

There are 3 bolts on the inside, 2 of which are used to mount the belt damper and one on the side. The 2 frame pipes do move around some and the lower one needs a little play to get it out. Putting it back together is not hard. There's one more smaller bolt that has a nut on the back side you need to remove as well.

[AY4B]

The shock bolt needs to be aligned using the jack. Just play with the jack up and down to take the weight off the bolt or align it. Not hard. Once it’s out just jack it up a little more till your belt loosens up enough to slide it off. Same procedure as when you remove the wheel. You just don’t need to mess with the wheel or belt adjustment bolts.

[treva]

FFDB4C3E-9A1A-480E-880C-D09D8DBC8B84.jpg

That roller mounting bolt looks like it's loose. Did you find it that way on inspection? If so, that's the problem.

[AY4B]

That roller mounting bolt looks like it's loose. Did you find it that way on inspection? If so, that's the problem.

Yes it was just hanging. the head off the bolt you see threw the hole.The other side has a loose spacer then a washer then the main bearing with a metal collar then the outer nut.

[AY4B]

F4CB3E65-47F5-42B9-89B5-B324A7AEEA20.jpg

[AY4B]

The warranty was just 2 years as opposed to a Spider extras is warrantied for life.

[h0gr1der]

My opinion only, but as I see it a major issue with most of the dampeners I looked at was the small roller. If you look at an automotive style serpentine belt tensioner, you will see a much larger roller. Of course due to limited space, the small size is required to fit in there. But that little roller is going a gazzilion revs per hour. If there was a way to increase the diameter of the roller it would reduce the wear on the bearings.

[YIRYDE]

It is a RR Damper Purchased in January of 2018 with 20,000 miles on it. It was one of the first things I bought for my new F3L. I did not hear any noise but my Spyder has a loud RLS exaust and I am an aggressive ryder that is hard of hearing. Doc is sending me another roller because it is still within the 2 year warranty. Also I was offered a Spider extras Damper at half price which I will get. I asked Doc what is the life of his roller supposed to be, hes said 25,000. I would recommend having it changed at 10,000-15,000 IMO.It looked like the barring froze up which caused the failure. I guess it can be taken apart and lubed but replacing it would be better or go without one. I did also have my front sprocket replace the first of this year due to red dust.

Did Doc offer a reimbursement for the belt? If not, he should at least offer to pay for half.