LOOSE BOLT! 2014 RT

[Roadster Renovations]

Been having some vibration issues at interstate speeds, so I decided to check tire pressure. (less that 2,000 miles on it at this point). Pressure was a little soft on the rear and the fronts were almost at the minimum. Anyway, being a mechanic I always look for other problems and just about had a coronary when I reached under and found a nut THAT I TOOK OFF WITH MY FINGERS! It was a nylock nut that had never been tightened. It connects to the through bolt on the rear swingarm and holds the bottom of the air shock to the swing arm. If that nut had vibrated off and the bolt worked it's way out, that could have dropped the rear of the bike right onto the tire, possibly stabbing the air shock into the ground as we skidded off the road and went over the cliff. (worse case) If I were you guys I would check to make sure yours was tight. Talked to dealer mechanic and checking for loose bolts is not part of the normal prep when getting a bike ready to sell. So this happened at the factory...what an idiot! I work on vehicles for a living and I never put a bolt or nut back on without tightening it up before I stop for whatever reason. Just the tension that the installer put on that nut with his fingers kept us from a very serious situation. I will post a pic of the culprit if anyone wants. BTW: For some reason the ride is smoother, it shifts more crisply, and less vibration. It is not all gone, but it is better. Imagine that.

 

[Chupaca]

Yikes..!!

glad you checked around. I always do as well cause even I can miss one even after wrenching all my life. Never seen the set up on these machines so can't say if it is a factory or set up deal. Not much space saved in shipping if they colapsed the rear end..but good idea to check...:lecturef_smilie:

 

[ARtraveler]

Thank you for the post. Many of us assume (in error), that the :spyder2: arrives perfect in every way. A timely warning for all. :thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

It's a good thing that you caught it! :2thumbs::clap:

 

[camper1]

...also check your windshield on the 2014 RTs. My windshield collapsed yesterday while riding. It detached from the power arm. ACE hardware hooked me up with a Bolt and locknut, so it's still fully functional. My dealer said that's the second one they've seen. Nothing broken, but whatever bolts, sleeves and screws are used in connecting to the power arm are gone.

 

[flaggerphil]

Is that something the dealer should have found?

 

[Roadster Renovations]

The mechanic I spoke to assured me that there is a prep list and checking bolts are not on the list. I pressed him by saying, "Well, I sure would have noticed it easily up on the lift for the check-out. He said (kind of nervously) that they don't lift them to prep. It is just fluids, etc.. I was not impressed. I know how assembly lines work and I would say that bolt missed at least two quality control inspections not including the knucklehead who started that bolt and then went on break without tightening it up. Any business is only as good as it's worst employee and a multi-million dollar company is no different. So, I told the mechanic that he should check it out for free under the circumstances. He said since I tightened up the bolt it didn't qualify. I told him that I would ride to their parking lot and return the nut to original hand tighteness so he could "find" it. He agreed to that, then later called my wife back and aid that since I missed the 600 mile check-up, he would have to charge us. Going by my manual, the 2014 doesn't need any service for 3,000 miles. It is right there in black and white. This guy obviously doesn't know the guidelines for the '14. Unless it's a typo in the book. And that will open up another can of worms if that is the case. So, I am waiting until the 3,000 mark, then having it serviced like the book says.
Thanks for the headsup on the windshield. I will check mine tomorrow. I had been getting some "loose" noise from it and I tightened up the two upper torx screws and added a 3/8" by 3" piece of vacuum hose split and opened at the bottom center. Not enough to change it's natural position, just a little tension as the hose tries to return to the round position. After I did that most of the noise went away, but not all. I'll bet you where the problem is. Good thing you had an Ace close by. The wife would have had to lean back on ours if it had done that.

 

[rgk]

Thank you. Nylock Nut

Been having some vibration issues at interstate speeds, so I decided to check tire pressure. (less that 2,000 miles on it at this point). Pressure was a little soft on the rear and the fronts were almost at the minimum. Anyway, being a mechanic I always look for other problems and just about had a coronary when I reached under and found a nut THAT I TOOK OFF WITH MY FINGERS! It was a nylock nut that had never been tightened. It connects to the through bolt on the rear swingarm and holds the bottom of the air shock to the swing arm. If that nut had vibrated off and the bolt worked it's way out, that could have dropped the rear of the bike right onto the tire, possibly stabbing the air shock into the ground as we skidded off the road and went over the cliff. (worse case) If I were you guys I would check to make sure yours was tight. Talked to dealer mechanic and checking for loose bolts is not part of the normal prep when getting a bike ready to sell. So this happened at the factory...what an idiot! I work on vehicles for a living and I never put a bolt or nut back on without tightening it up before I stop for whatever reason. Just the tension that the installer put on that nut with his fingers kept us from a very serious situation. I will post a pic of the culprit if anyone wants. BTW: For some reason the ride is smoother, it shifts more crisply, and less vibration. It is not all gone, but it is better. Imagine that.

I would really like to see a photo...

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Sounds like you need a new dealer. If they don't know when the first service is on the 2014 RT what else don't they know? Glad you found the loose bolt before any damage was done.

 

[The-BigDog-30]

Dealers

I've been to three dealers and it's the same story at each one, they have undertrained mechanics and have very little knowledge of the spyder. At some points I think I know more than the mechanic and that's pretty bad. I'm a first time spyder owner since May and I'm not impressed with the service at all. I have had to take mine in for something three times now and each time they don't fix it right or break something else in the process. Brp made great machines but we need good knowledgable mechanics out there to work on them and I think they've fallen way behind in that area.

 

[Roadster Renovations]

I would really like to see a photo...

I will upload one today as soon as I can.

 

[Roadster Renovations]

The nut is on the backside.

 

[autoexacto]

View attachment 92122
The nut is on the backside.

After reading this thread scares the ¨crap¨ out of me. I am in México and shame SH_T happens with regards to undertrained or not all technicians. I have 1000 miles on it on mine and been in the shop for week and a half checking loose ends/issues (frunk light not working, squeaking brakes, left side case does not open well, IPhone/Aux plug disconnecting when riding/movement). Not major issues BUT it does concern that if it happens in the US where lawsuits really works, here I am completely SOL (Sh_t Out of Luck)..I have a tac tac noise on my windshield and today I am checking if one of the brackets is about to break or what. Wish me luck guys but I truly love riding my Y and now specially that my wife feels safe and loves to ride with me....Greetings from Tequila Country!

 

[wis2013rtltd]

Cuznjon had the

same issue on his 14' I believe...