Another cracked windshield arm - 2014 RT Limited

[billy4644]

I remembered reading about cracks & breaks on the center windshield arm so I checked mine tonight and found I was one of the chosen few to have a crack. I'm bringing the bike in tomorrow for the 3000 mile service and I'll notify the dealer then. Other than this I LOVE THE SPYDER !!

 

[StanProff]

I remembered reading about cracks & breaks on the center windshield arm so I checked mine tonight and found I was one of the chosen few to have a crack. I'm bringing the bike in tomorrow for the 3000 mile service and I'll notify the dealer then. Other than this I LOVE THE SPYDER !!

This happened to some a couple of years ago. Haven't heard much about it on the 13 or 14's.

 

[Bob Denman]

:yikes: This is pretty early for the cracks to start developing... :gaah:
Do you ride on "rough" roads? A lot of are trying to prevent the cracking by running with the windshield raised just off of the bottom stops...
It'll be covered, but it's a shame that they haven't fixed this yet. :banghead:

 

[JimFoy]

It happened on my 14 RTLtd. I know it has happened on other 14s.


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[Chupaca]

Sadly..!!

they give up strength for modern design. If it were just a solid piece probably would not crack. Then it my understanding this part is not available alone:wrong: they say it's covered but will it be an improved design or will you be changing it again diwn the road a bit..?? :gaah:

 

[Bob Denman]

...Haven't heard of an improved piece from Canada yet... :shocked:

 

[gypsy_100]

:yikes: This is pretty early for the cracks to start developing... :gaah:
Do you ride on "rough" roads? A lot of are trying to prevent the cracking by running with the windshield raised just off of the bottom stops...
It'll be covered, but it's a shame that they haven't fixed this yet. :banghead:

I always keep the shield raised a little and mine still cracked. No guarantees on anything.

...Haven't heard of an improved piece from Canada yet... :shocked:

Agree. Same part numbers.

 

[billy4644]

:yikes: This is pretty early for the cracks to start developing... :gaah:
Do you ride on "rough" roads? A lot of are trying to prevent the cracking by running with the windshield raised just off of the bottom stops...
It'll be covered, but it's a shame that they haven't fixed this yet. :banghead:

The roads around here have your normal frost heaves and that shouldn't cause any concern ( I would hope )..

 

[3 Wheel Addict]

Maybe when they have to start replacing under warranty they will come up with a stronger design. I know my windshield sure does bounce around a lot, I'm waiting for the day when it cracks or breaks.

 

[Dragonrider]

I have noticed the 2014 is a lot sloppier than my 2010 was...

 

[ThreeWheels]

Maybe when they have to start replacing under warranty they will come up with a stronger design. I know my windshield sure does bounce around a lot, I'm waiting for the day when it cracks or breaks.

They've been replacing these arms since 2010.
My guess...............
BRP is aware of the issue, but there are just so many engineering resources available to fix things and they have higher priorities right now.
After all, which do you think sounds worse when you hear it on the 6:00 news:
1) Another windshield arm breaks on a Can Am Spyder RT.
or
2) And yet another Can Am Spyder goes up in flames.

I'm thinking BRP is putting it's resources trying to prevent the flames.

That's my opinion. I could be wrong.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

ENGINEERING MARVEL

They've been replacing these arms since 2010.
My guess...............
BRP is aware of the issue, but there are just so many engineering resources available to fix things and they have higher priorities right now.
After all, which do you think sounds worse when you hear it on the 6:00 news:
1) Another windshield arm breaks on a Can Am Spyder RT.
or
2) And yet another Can Am Spyder goes up in flames.

I'm thinking BRP is putting it's resources trying to prevent the flames.

That's my opinion. I could be wrong.

:gaah:.........Here's the " Monumentally " difficult fix for the " ARM ".......tell the supplier you ( BRP ) want a new / different sand casting .......one without the triangular reliefs in it.......NO MORE PROBLEMS ........But nobody at BRP can find the damn phone to make the call..........They haven't fixed Murphy Brown's trailer yet either.............end of Rant .....Mikeguyver :thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

Karyl's trailer is a mistake made either during production, shipment, or assembly... It's not likely to be repeated in another unit... (I hope...)
These arms are an issue that all RTs will face. They will ALL break! :gaah:

 

[3 Wheel Addict]

:gaah:.........Here's the " Monumentally " difficult fix for the " ARM ".......tell the supplier you ( BRP ) want a new / different sand casting .......one without the triangular reliefs in it.......NO MORE PROBLEMS ........But nobody at BRP can find the damn phone to make the call..........They haven't fixed Murphy Brown's trailer yet either.............end of Rant .....Mikeguyver :thumbup:

They don't need to change the design just the material. Cast it in a stronger alloy or better yet stainless. I have seen past posts where some have had the fixed and it looks like a low grade aluminum casting. Looks like a job for JThornton to tackle he has awesome skills (and equipment) to make a stronger arm.

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: There are several folks in here working on a solution. :thumbup:
For the BIG money that it takes to replace them; you'd think that BRP would put a couple of guys onto this problem quickly. :gaah:

 

[sddinnh]

11,000 miles and I checked mine the other day - no cracks, but I run the 23" vented windshield which may not put as much pressure on the arm as the taller 25" stock one does. :dontknow:

 

[KX5062]

They don't need to change the design just the material. Cast it in a stronger alloy or better yet stainless. I have seen past posts where some have had the fixed and it looks like a low grade aluminum casting. Looks like a job for JThornton to tackle he has awesome skills (and equipment) to make a stronger arm.

I've said it before, but I don't believe those arms are cast aluminum, they are MIM. Metal injected moldings. Far cheaper to manufacture and not nearly as strong. It is commonly used everywhere now-a-days, including internal firearms parts. Sometimes MIM parts are confused with "pot metal" because of the appearance. Machined billet aluminum, like what a member is doing in another thread, is the way to go for strength and durability.

 

[TonyMac]

Now you guys have me wondering. I've noticed that when I leave work I put the windshield up while I'm on the access road getting onto the highway and the windshield buffets around quite a bit. Going to check it at lunch.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

THIS PROBLEM MATERIAL ????

I've said it before, but I don't believe those arms are cast aluminum, they are MIM. Metal injected moldings. Far cheaper to manufacture and not nearly as strong. It is commonly used everywhere now-a-days, including internal firearms parts. Sometimes MIM parts are confused with "pot metal" because of the appearance. Machined billet aluminum, like what a member is doing in another thread, is the way to go for strength and durability.

.....I gather you have more knowledge about this process than probably anyone else here........I have suggested that ....if BRP didn't have the triangular reliefs in the ARM ....the part would probably be strong enough to do it's intended function........I would like your opinion.? ? ?.............Mikeguyver :thumbup:

 

[KX5062]

Doubtful. MIM is a process whereby powered metal is pressed together in a mold with a binding agent. It is relatively strong, but to my knowledge would not tolerate vibration all that well, which seems to be the case here. Cast aluminum, machined, or even certain types of plastics would be better, just not cheaper and/or easy to mass produce.