New ball joints on 2013 RT - world of difference

**sunshinelady** · 03-14-2013, 07:16 PM

I had the new ball joints installed last saturday on my 2013 RT-S just because it was recommended for all the 2013 bikes. I didn't think I had a handling problem. I didn't swerve into the other lane, or jerk suddenly as I read on this site that some riders experienced. Well after riding my spyder now all I can say is that there is a world of difference. I did have a handling problem! The ride is smooth now on the curves and turning is so easy. I can take my hands off the handlebars and it will still go straight. I evidently was constantly correcting the steering thinking that was normal for the spyders.

Both my ball joints were very bad and stiff when the technician showed me the used parts.

So glad I had read this site and knew to take my spyder in and have it repaired without waiting for the official recall notice from BRP to be mailed to me.

**SpyderAnn01** · 03-14-2013, 08:10 PM

and I'm glad you got new ball joints. Enjoy your improved ride.

**Jeriatric** · 03-14-2013, 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by sunshinelady

I had the new ball joints installed last saturday on my 2013 RT-S just because it was recommended for all the 2013 bikes. I didn't think I had a handling problem. I didn't swerve into the other lane, or jerk suddenly as I read on this site that some riders experienced. Well after riding my spyder now all I can say is that there is a world of difference. I did have a handling problem! The ride is smooth now on the curves and turning is so easy. I can take my hands off the handlebars and it will still go straight. I evidently was constantly correcting the steering thinking that was normal for the spyders.

Both my ball joints were very bad and stiff when the technician showed me the used parts.

So glad I had read this site and knew to take my spyder in and have it repaired without waiting for the official recall notice from BRP to be mailed to me.

Smart move on your part

**ARtraveler** · 03-14-2013, 09:07 PM

Thank you for posting another success story on the 2013's.

**Big Arm** · 03-14-2013, 09:31 PM

and also

**The Wanderer** · 03-14-2013, 09:48 PM

I agree with Sunshinelady on the ball joints. I am new to the Spyder and didn't know what "bad steering" felt like, but I had my ball joints replaced on Saturday as well and its like night and day. Especially in curves the handling is 100% better.

**Bob Denman** · 03-15-2013, 05:49 AM

This points out another issue; everybody has a different "pain threshold" Some folks were screaming over this issue; yet you never noticed.

This can be a reminder to everybody (mee too!) that even if we don't see an issue; it doesn't mean that there's nothing to it.

**shrubs** · 03-15-2013, 08:08 AM

Always great to read the success stories on these!

**spyder-dude** · 03-15-2013, 08:24 PM

I took an ST-S out today at my dealer for a test drive....Needless to say I have over 40k miles between my two spyders. The first sharp turn on the ST-S I thought I was jet skiiing across a lake......it steered so bad. Boy it scared the crap out of me! I then had the mechanic take it for a ride and noticed his troubles as well. Come to find out it didnt have the new ball joints put on it yet. Can't wait to try it once it has the new ball joints put on it.

**Osros** · 03-15-2013, 08:42 PM

I just had my ball joint service done today. I did not notice any issues before and now it still seems the same all seems well. I will have to see if a longer ride will reveal any difference I can't tell now. But I'm glad it's done.

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**jschw80141** · 03-15-2013, 08:51 PM

ImageUploadedByTapatalk 21363398682.566074.jpgmine just came in

**can-am sam** · 03-15-2013, 10:36 PM

After having my 2013 RT Limited held "hostage" at the dealers for 3 weeks, it was released last week with new ball joints. Now it steers straight with no handling problems.

**Chupaca** · 03-15-2013, 10:42 PM

That this little glitch is coming to pass. Now lets get on to the ryding and grins and smerks and look back not..!! Enjoy the new handling..

**Bandit** · 03-16-2013, 01:27 AM

and

So glad that all of the problems with the "13's" seem to be corrected. Time to Ryde!!

**cpdblegl** · 03-16-2013, 03:24 PM

New ball joints installed, rode home from the dealership this morning. 65+ up I-5 and felt in control at all times! Tech did an allignment but said it was not needed, dead-zero. He even gased it up!, as he had put 20+ miles on it making sure that the 'fix' was as advertised. Come on sunshine!!!

**capt.jim** · 03-18-2013, 09:29 PM

Had my balljoints replaced also, steers much easier now. I didn't have the alignment checked but it seems OK now.

**hobbicam** · 05-22-2013, 10:15 PM

Originally Posted by capt.jim

Had my balljoints replaced also, steers much easier now. I didn't have the alignment checked but it seems OK now.

Hey guys, I just picked up a 2013 RT-S yesterday.. I came from a Spyder GS so I notice it right away when I drove off the lot at 7pm from Reno's Powersport in Kansas City. Started online search and found this forum yesterday.. joined and learning alot.

I took the bike back to them this afternoon staying well under 45mph the whole time since it was getting scary above that, but they did not think there was an issue. Since I came off and still have another 08 GS that does not feel like this, is this the new steering feature or upgrade? Would the ball-joint issue cause the loosy goosy feeling in the steering like shown in my video I made this afternoon after I came back from Reno's.. or is this something by design? If it is by design, that means I will have to relearn and not sure if I feel comfortable letting my wife ride this. We traded on of our GS in for this for her, but I am not comfortable with the loose steering that seems to wave around and gets much worst at higher speed.

Others that have seen the video have said there was too much give, any way for me to tighten it up myself?

Thanks all,
Hobbicam

**harrypottar** · 05-23-2013, 05:45 AM

,

looking at the video that's just looks plain wrong and un safe. Apart from the wiggle in the handle bars the steering looks like it as too much play in it. Can the dealer confirm that they fitted the new ball joint? Do you have another dealer you can drive too for a second opinion?

Did you test ride any other RT before you traded to compare? Do they have another RT on the showroom floor?

Hopefully one of the techs like Nancy's Toy will comment, just looking at it as an RT rider it doesn't look right.

harry

**GuitarPlayer** · 05-23-2013, 06:22 AM

My 2013 RT-Ltd does not have this behavior. My handlebars do not "wiggle" at all. I would definitely take it back to the dealer and make them fix it. That doesn't look safe at all.

Tony

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**Jeriatric** · 05-23-2013, 07:06 AM

Originally Posted by hobbicam

Hey guys, I just picked up a 2013 RT-S yesterday.. I came from a Spyder GS so I notice it right away when I drove off the lot at 7pm from Reno's Powersport in Kansas City. Started online search and found this forum yesterday.. joined and learning alot.

I took the bike back to them this afternoon staying well under 45mph the whole time since it was getting scary above that, but they did not think there was an issue. Since I came off and still have another 08 GS that does not feel like this, is this the new steering feature or upgrade? Would the ball-joint issue cause the loosy goosy feeling in the steering like shown in my video I made this afternoon after I came back from Reno's.. or is this something by design? If it is by design, that means I will have to relearn and not sure if I feel comfortable letting my wife ride this. We traded on of our GS in for this for her, but I am not comfortable with the loose steering that seems to wave around and gets much worst at higher speed.

Others that have seen the video have said there was too much give, any way for me to tighten it up myself?

Thanks all,
Hobbicam

Typical for some dealers. Call BRP customer service. Don't have a # for you but it should be in your owners manual.

Good luck!

**spyder3** · 05-23-2013, 07:12 AM

Why are dealers still shipping the 13's without replacing the ball joints

**NancysToy** · 05-23-2013, 07:37 AM

Originally Posted by spyder3

Why are dealers still shipping the 13's without replacing the ball joints

Spyders produced after the problem was found and corrected don't need replacement ball joints. They were installed at the factory.

**Jeriatric** · 05-23-2013, 07:41 AM

Originally Posted by spyder3

Why are dealers still shipping the 13's without replacing the ball joints

If you meant Selling? I wondered the same thing.

**spyder3** · 05-23-2013, 07:41 AM

Originally Posted by NancysToy

Spyders produced after the problem was found and corrected don't need replacement ball joints. They were installed at the factory.

Yup, i get that scotty....but it seems like some newer people on here are having issues on recently purchased ones. Of course, I don't know the timeline of their actual purchase...

**spyder3** · 05-23-2013, 07:45 AM

Originally Posted by Jerbear

If you meant Selling? I wondered the same thing.

Yes, i meant selling by the dealers.

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