2022 RT-L - is jacking using the rear shock mount safe?

[SLICE]

So it's time for a new rear tire and was wondering if I can jack the trike using the rear shock mount.

Still getting my bearings on these spYders.

 

[chipveres]

We like our forum members and want to see them all healthy. Please buy, borrow or steal a real motorcycle jack. It is immeasurably more stable than an auto jack. Ask me how I know.

AFTERTHOUGHT: If you do decide to jack under the rear shock, remember to chock the front wheels. The parking brake only affects the rear wheel, and the transmission doesn't engage a gear until it sees oil pressure.

 

[DGoebel]

I've used a $100 Harbor Freight or Northern Tools Pittsburgh ATV Lift and 3 basic jackstands to stabilize when it's up in the air. Very Solid work platform. And if you want to do your own Baja Ron Sway bar, a homemade wooden platform that fits on top of the ATV lift for the extra height needed.

 

[2dogs]

So it's time for a new rear tire and was wondering if I can jack the trike using the rear shock mount.

Still getting my bearings on these spYders.

Yes SLICE you can. Use a short piece of 2x6 cut short enough to fit snugly between the swing arms. Works perfect.

 

[larryd]

If your replacing the rear tire and don't want to change the belt adjustment most of us remove the lower shock bolt and let the swing arm swing down...lets the tension off the belt and after removing the axle bolt and the leveling rod for the air ride and the brake caliber, the rear wheel just rolls out...

I often jack my Spyder up on that lower shock bolt when doing the rear brake pads...BUT NOT WHEN DOING THE REAR TIRE...

larryd

 

[Peteoz]

So it appears a few of you lift under the rear shock without issue. But be aware that the CanAm service manuals do say NOT to lift under the rear shock-

.....
3. Lift rear of vehicle by the frame until rear wheel is off the ground.
NOTICE - Do not lift under rear shock absorber. Always lift by the frame. Refer to illustration.
.....

Pete

 

[DaniBoy]

BajaRon told me NEVER to lift there. He says that bolt is too skinny to support that kind of weight. I guess he’s had to fight several bent ones out. Not fun.

 

[spyderdave]

IMO, you can lift the rear of your Spyder using the shock/coilover flanges IF, you don't contact the shock itself; BajaRon is correct, that bolt is to small (and soft) to use as a lift point. I lift mine all the time with an automotive floorjack; I'm just very careful as to where the jack is positioned.

 

[SLICE]

I ended up buying a Harbor Freight motorcycle jack/lift

 

[jlhoug]

I use my floor jack and a piece of 2x4 across the rear shock mounting brackets. works for me, no problems. Been doing it this way for several years.

 

[2dogs]

Do you think that shock bolt takes any more pressure when you put a jack under it and lift 1/2 the spyder, than when you hit a chuck hole at 55 MPH?

 

[Peteoz]

Do you think that shock bolt takes any more pressure when you put a jack under it and lift 1/2 the spyder, than when you hit a chuck hole at 55 MPH?

I wouldn’t have a clue, 2dogs, but there must be SOME reason that BRP tell you not to do it.

Pete

 

[Peter Aawen]

I wouldn’t have a clue, 2dogs, but there must be SOME reason that BRP tell you not to do it.

Pete

It's all to do with where the weight of the Spyder ends up & how it's being transferred to the ground as well as how much leverage the swing arm has & exactly how/where the weight of the cantilevered rear end is transferred into & thru the frame & supported - on the road, with the rear wheel on the ground, the shock bolt isn't really doing a heap or carrying all that much load; by design, the Spyder's load is effectively spread out pretty evenly over all the wheels, with the leverage & the cantilever design meaning that only a fraction of the total load is ever being put thru that bolt; and the shock bolt is also protected to a large degree from any sudden 'shock loads' caused by hitting chuck holes etc at any speed by the shock & coil assembly anyway, reducing that 'fraction of the total load' the bolt is carrying even more. :lecturef_smilie:

BUT, lifting the rear wheel into the air with a jack under the shock bolt and all of a sudden IT IS carrying at least half if not somewhat more of the entire load of the Spyder in a way that it was never designed to... :shocked:

Just Sayin' :cheers:

 

[safecracker]

I have used the shock bolt location for 12 years. I have never had a problem. I have removed the rear shock multiple times. No issue. I know the manual says not to do it. Again I have never had an issue. Bruce