Anyone got this/figured out the Steering Assembly Play? Is this normal, or is there a fix?

[LesC]

My 2015 Spyder RT-S with 13k miles on it has about 3/8” play at the end of the hand grips. When I had it apart I checked for this slop on the steering shaft. It isn’t there. It is all up top below the ignition switch. I tried searching for this with negative results. Is this normal on this model? Anyone else had this problem and figured it out. Thanks for reading.

 

[safecracker]

Shaun Smoak did a video a few years ago about the excessive play with the handle bars. Do a you tube search. Good luck.

 

[rjinaz86323]

One of the things that will cause this is pushing on the bars to move the Spyder around. I have a bad seat and armrest on mine, as they work great for pushing.

 

[LesC]

Eventually, I will have to remove everything up top to get to the rubber bushing or clamp assembly that holds this all together to see what is wearing out. I found Shaun Smoakʼs videos but not the steering play video yet. The first two owners had this Spyder for ten years and only rode it 9600 miles, possibly they were pushing it around a lot. They certainly were not riding it.

 

[Peter Aawen]

I think you're worrying needlessly. Just about all Spyders I've seen have some play at the handlebar ends, and for most, that's normal.

Maybe you should check a few other Spyders, various models (they've all got pretty much the same steering gear/linkages, so the modrl shouldn't make a big difference!) and see if they've got some play too, or if they've got as much play as yours? Heck, I'd even suggest that go to your nearest dealer and check all their 'on display' &/or demo Spyders to see how much play their brand new machines have - yours might not be as bad as you think, or anything to worry about!

Just Sayin' - or as I reckon I might've seen here somewhere before, maybe it's time to...

Ride More, Worry Less!

 

[LesC]

I think you're worrying needlessly. Just about all Spyders I've seen have some play at the handlebar ends, and for most, that's normal.

Maybe you should check a few other Spyders, various models (they've all got pretty much the same steering gear/linkages, so the modrl shouldn't make a big difference!) and see if they've got some play too, or if they've got as much play as yours? Heck, I'd even suggest that go to your nearest dealer and check all their 'on display' &/or demo Spyders to see how much play their brand new machines have - yours might not be as bad as you think, or anything to worry about!

Just Sayin' - or as I reckon I might've seen here somewhere before, maybe it's time to...

Ride More, Worry Less!

Yes, I have been checking other Spyders. Mostly years 2023 with 56,000 miles - no play.
2012 with 34k - no play. 2026 5k mikes no play.
When I brought it home last fall it had apx. 1/8” at the handle bar end. 4,000 miles later it has doubled in play. That is what is concerning.
Now for a little experience history of mine.
During the Riders Training Course in Crossville, Tennessee last September, the Ryker I was riding handlebars went about 35° out of straight during the maneuvers. I finished the course with the handlebars pointing to the left when the front wheels were straight. So you might say I have a little bit of experience with CanAm products oddities. I am proactive when it comes to motorcycle maintenance and repairs. I’ve been doing this stuff since 1970. I’m heading out on another 1500 miles trip this weekend. I’ve put 4,000 miles on it in 2 months of riding. I do have more than a few hundred thousand miles on Honda GoldWings since 1987 and do all my own repairs and maintenance. I’ve never been stranded but once. A brand new Sears Dis Hard battery failed on the second day of use. Today in my garages I have 8 motorcycles of various brands. New to me is the CanAm Spyders, so I ask questions and I buy and read manuals.
Thanks for the advice though.

Oh yes, I did mention that it is not linkage slop. All the play is in the steering head. The steering column is not moving at all for approximately 4° of center steering head movement. Realize what that kind of play can do in a curve or when hitting a bump. I’m going to ride it, diagnose it and fix it before it fails and sends me over the edge of the road. I ride the Appalachian mountains a lot. What is that old saying, oh yes, better to be safe than sorry!

 

[BajaRon]

Are you sure the problem isn't in the lower steering collum universal joints? This is where we have found all of the excessive steering play. Though 3/8" isn't that bad. There will always be a bit of play in the assembly.

I suppose it might be possible for the spline in the upper steering collum shaft to wear. But we've never experienced this.

 

[LesC]

Are you sure the problem isn't in the lower steering collum universal joints? This is where we have found all of the excessive steering play. Though 3/8" isn't that bad. There will always be a bit of play in the assembly.

I suppose it might be possible for the spline in the upper steering collum shaft to wear. But we've never experienced this.

View attachment 255401View attachment 255402

Thanks, here is what I’ve found. It’s higher in the steering assembly. I went and looked at the BRP Catalog and found this. From the diagram I cannot see if bolts are used through the tabs off the steering head, although there is a cushion item# 74, which comes with item#73. All for $110. I am going to look from the underside with a lighted inspection mirror. Possibly, with my small hands, I can reach up in there and check for tightness.
That dead space can be annoying.
I have completed the Ultra Sway Bar install and the HCM filter from Baja Ron, thank you! I’ll be putting all this into service on my trip to Ohio tomorrow.

- -

 

[LesC]

With my hand on the highest point on the steering column, I can move the handlebars left and right with zero steering column movement. All the play is at the top and does not transfer to the column. Looking in from the top side thru the plastic I can see the top moving without any movement at that spring assembly, which is at the juncture between the column and the handlebar head assembly. When I get back from Ohio, in about a week, I’ll disassemble the handlebar assembly.
Is there a way to post videos on this forum?