Bad Laser Alignment -- Procedure Not Followed?

[Spyder_Cowgirl]

I have been trying to get my dealer interested in ROLO Laser Alignment ever since it came out. To date, they have basically said they don't have the volume to justify ... and I can sort of see that, their bigger draw in terms of sales and service is the SeaDo line. However, just a few weeks ago, I asked again and was given a flat out no because of a bike that came in from another dealer with MAJOR problems ... allegedly after a ROLO laser alignment. It had:

• The handle bars were not centered.
• The DPS unit was "burned up"... supposedly by the "magnets" used during the alignment procedure.

Huh? I wasn't aware that ROLO used magnets. If it does, how on earth could an alignment have "burned up" the DPS? Better question, how on earth could a trained Spyder tech (supposedly) allowed the DPS to get "burned up". From what my dealer tells me, the Spyder is out of warranty (not sure what year it is) and BRP is not going to cover this repair -- even though the alignment was performed by a CanAm dealership and even though it supposedly was done with the ROLO system (which I thought BRP "recommended" .... they can't require it, but it was given their stamp of approval).

Will not disclose either dealers name ... as I am getting this information third hand, so it's accuracy is somewhat in question.

Wanted some expert opinions on what I am being told ... I was considering having a laser alignment done at the dealer that, supposedly, messed this bike up. Now I am not so sure ... wish I lived closed to Las Vegas; then I know Ann and Joe could get me Squared Away.

Your thoughts are appreciated ..... Ann

 

[Grandpot]

Magnets?

That dealer is full of Bull Feathers. The magnets on the Rolo unit are used to attach the lasers to the front axle hubs. The don't go anywhere near the steering unit. Find another dealer.

 

[SteveLaoyster]

If you look at pictures for the rolo system the magnets are used to hold the lasers on the center of the wheel hub. Lamont has pictures & a video I think. They don't even get close to the DPS & probably wouldn't cause the damage that the dealer is claiming. Time for Bob to illustrate with his BS meter!

 

[Spyder_Cowgirl]

Agree -- BS

If you look at pictures for the rolo system the magnets are used to hold the lasers on the center of the wheel hub. Lamont has pictures & a video I think. They don't even get close to the DPS & probably wouldn't cause the damage that the dealer is claiming. Time for Bob to illustrate with his BS meter!

Agree ... it's BS. But, I am thinking the dealer that DID the alignment must have somehow damaged the DPS and won't own up to it. Why else would the handle bars be noticeably off center? So, I am thinking the "other dealer" I need to find is NOT the one that did this alignment. My dealer has always treated me fairly, has a decent service department, and has gone to bat for me on several warranty issues related to the CB. I am still going to encourage them to get the ROLO system and learn to use it properly ... they may still put me off due to volume (but at least I can try).

Thanks ..... Ann

 

[SpyderAnn01]

They are correct that the handlebars can be crooked but I believe they are full of crap on the magnet/DPS issue. You would be much better off having your alignment done by someone who does a lot of them like we do. We will be at exas Hill Country in October or if you are in the Houston area go see JC Thorne he also knows what he is doing.

 

[ARtraveler]

Agree ... it's BS. But, I am thinking the dealer that DID the alignment must have somehow damaged the DPS and won't own up to it. Why else would the handle bars be noticeably off center? So, I am thinking the "other dealer" I need to find is NOT the one that did this alignment. My dealer has always treated me fairly, has a decent service department, and has gone to bat for me on several warranty issues related to the CB. I am still going to encourage them to get the ROLO system and learn to use it properly ... they may still put me off due to volume (but at least I can try).

Thanks ..... Ann

Welcome to the dealers that like the "old ways" better series.

My dealer will NOT: do ROLO alignments. He likes the 2 x 4 method. The last alignment put the 2011 off so bad that Squared Away said it was the worst they had seen. I am glad they came to AK to visit in 2015.

Also will NOT install tires other than the Kenda OEM. They say that car tires will cause all kinds of issues. Don't want my :spyder2: to blow up. :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:

The smoke & mirrors that is going on with you is kind of on the way out side. I would shop around if there are other dealers available. I cant, because their's is only one in the game in the whole state.

 

[Firefly]

Welcome to the dealers that like the "old ways" better series.

My dealer will NOT: do ROLO alignments. He likes the 2 x 4 method. The last alignment put the 2011 off so bad that Squared Away said it was the worst they had seen. I am glad they came to AK to visit in 2015.

Also will NOT install tires other than the Kenda OEM. They say that car tires will cause all kinds of issues. Don't want my :spyder2: to blow up. :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:

The smoke & mirrors that is going on with you is kind of on the way out side. I would shop around if there are other dealers available. I cant, because their's is only one in the game in the whole state.

The stock Kenda tires are absolute CRAP. There is no sense in using them and a properly sized car tire will work fine and far outperform the Kenda. With over 100K between three Spyders and most of it using NON-OEM tires.. I can tell you that car tires are NOT going to cause issues as long as you use the correct size.

 

[Chupaca]

Grasping at straws....

Seems your dealer will say anything to not have to incorporate the Rolo system of alignment..:banghead: sad really they actually could bring in business..:lecturef_smilie:
As for the bars off makes me wonder if the aligned the rear wheel first and reset with buds when done....:dontknow:

 

[BajaRon]

I'm afraid the meter is pegging the needle here. On the wrong side of the scale!

 

[BajaRon]

The stock Kenda tires are absolute CRAP. There is no sense in using them and a properly sized car tire will work fine and far outperform the Kenda. With over 100K between three Spyders and most of it using NON-OEM tires.. I can tell you that car tires are NOT going to cause issues as long as you use the correct size.

I have to agree. Though I might use a slightly less strenuous description for the Kenda's. It is a fact that you are generally going to pay more for an inferior, more problematic tire when you mount a Kenda. Still, I support the theory that everyone should be free to do what they want with their ride. But when all you have to consider are the facts. It's very hard to justify Kenda's twice... hyea:

 

[ARtraveler]

The stock Kenda tires are absolute CRAP. There is no sense in using them and a properly sized car tire will work fine and far outperform the Kenda. With over 100K between three Spyders and most of it using NON-OEM tires.. I can tell you that car tires are NOT going to cause issues as long as you use the correct size.

I know that well. They got me where they want me. I cannot do mechanical stuff on my Spyder. I have to have the dealer install the tires. There, it is Kenda or nothing. My nearest other dealer is now in the lower 48 and about 1500 miles away. :thumbup::thumbup:

Anyone want a couple spyders cheap? :roflblack:

 

[PMK]

Time out on the lynch mob mentality.

Think about it. If the dealer did accomplish a ROLO alignment and thought they did it properly. Convinced the customer it was done correctly, and with all the hype about ROLO being the best, most people would be proud to have just gotten a ROLO Laser alignment.

Like so many things, it ain't the arrow, it's the Indian. The best tools in untrained or careless hands still do crappy work.

As for destroying the DPS unit, has anyone considered that since it is an electrically assisted power steering unit, possibly the tech that did not properly align the Spyder, and it was noted the handlebars were not true when rolling straight ahead, maybe they never centered the electronic sensor in the steering system, and because of this, the proud owner was holding constant pressure into the power steering unit to prevent it from turning back to electronic center.

In simple terms, if mechanical center and electronic center are not matched with BUDS, the steering unit may be under a constant load and destroyed itself. Possibly those magnets are electromagnets inside the DPS itself, not the hub mounts for the alignment tools.

 

[jcthorne]

There are some bits of truth here and the rest is stories passed down the line growing bigger tales.....

Yes, it does take some know how to use the alignment tools. Its not a just hook it up and the computer tells you what to change like on a Hunter alignment machine. There are angles and dimensions to understand what you are doing. Those that do a lot of these have very precise procedures to follow to get consistent results.

I also know there are more than one Spyder dealer in Texas that has purchased the ROLO tools and gave up trying to do alignments for customers bikes due to difficulty with the results they obtained.

The magnets and dps burning up part is what happens when these stories get passed on down the line. Yes there are magnets on the tools that hold the lasers square to hubs but they are much too far away from the DPS to have any effect. More likely the DPS settings and steering center were not correctly set during the alignment procedure. Plenty of room for error if you do not know what you are doing.

 

[Cruzr Joe]

If you are anywhere close to Hot Springs Arkansas, I would suggest that you let Spyderpops do your Lazer Alignment, he has the Proper equipment and experience.


Cruzr Joe

 

[Bfromla]

PLEASE

I have been trying to get my dealer interested in ROLO Laser Alignment ever since it came out. To date, they have basically said they don't have the volume to justify ... and I can sort of see that, their bigger draw in terms of sales and service is the SeaDo line. However, just a few weeks ago, I asked again and was given a flat out no because of a bike that came in from another dealer with MAJOR problems ... allegedly after a ROLO laser alignment. It had:

• The handle bars were not centered.
• The DPS unit was "burned up"... supposedly by the "magnets" used during the alignment procedure.

Huh? I wasn't aware that ROLO used magnets. If it does, how on earth could an alignment have "burned up" the DPS? Better question, how on earth could a trained Spyder tech (supposedly) allowed the DPS to get "burned up". From what my dealer tells me, the Spyder is out of warranty (not sure what year it is) and BRP is not going to cover this repair -- even though the alignment was performed by a CanAm dealership and even though it supposedly was done with the ROLO system (which I thought BRP "recommended" .... they can't require it, but it was given their stamp of approval).

Will not disclose either dealers name ... as I am getting this information third hand, so it's accuracy is somewhat in question.

Wanted some expert opinions on what I am being told ... I was considering having a laser alignment done at the dealer that, supposedly, messed this bike up. Now I am not so sure ... wish I lived closed to Las Vegas; then I know Ann and Joe could get me Squared Away.

Your thoughts are appreciated ..... Ann

:hun::yikes::dontknow::barf: PLEASE name your dealer so I can AVOID them for any issues I may have if I'm ever in your area
Im not as worried about the other dealer that "may" have messed up but your dealer did just by what they told you! The rest of post have you covered & Squared away will be in your area soon enough get with them by ALL means:firstplace: & find you a reputable dealer or service person that will take care of you rather than the rectal smoke inflater nojoke

 

[2Paw]

That dealer is full of Bull Feathers. The magnets on the Rolo unit are used to attach the lasers to the front axle hubs. The don't go anywhere near the steering unit. Find another dealer.

While the dealer may be full of it, if you knew where Bowie, TX was you might not be so quick to say "find another dealer". A guy told me once that the only thing on the way to Bowie was Bowie, it's not quite that bad, but finding another dealer might not be so easy.

 

[Spyder_Cowgirl]

More likely the DPS settings and steering center were not correctly set during the alignment procedure. Plenty of room for error if you do not know what you are doing.

In simple terms, if mechanical center and electronic center are not matched with BUDS, the steering unit may be under a constant load and destroyed itself. Possibly those magnets are electromagnets inside the DPS itself, not the hub mounts for the alignment tools.

Based on the above two quotes .... I am thinking that an improperly completed alignment and improper reset of center in BUDS is actually what took the DPS out. Possible? If so, then the correct statement from the dealer would have been something like .... "The alignment was not completed properly and, as a result, the DPS was damaged." I am about 300 to 350 miles from the next alignment location for Squared Away, same to Spyderpops, and also jcthorne in Houston ... so it is not a simple days ride (not for me, anyway).

The owner of the bike with the poorly done alignment is still screwed, however, because BRP will not cover the repair ... even though the alignment that (possibly) took the DPS unit out was done with "recommended" equipment at a BRP dealership.

All the best .... Ann

 

[Bfromla]

Any update?

:dontknow::dontknow::dontknow::shocked:opcornlease




& thx

 

[Spyder_Cowgirl]

Update -- Sort Of

:dontknow::dontknow::dontknow::shocked:opcornlease


& thx

I will not name my dealer as I do not throw people (or dealers) under the bus when I don't believe they are at fault or wrong. They are only going on information that they know -- the handle bars were not centered and the DPS was shot when the owner brought the spyder to them. The "last thing" done was a laser alignment; so what are they to think? Not knowing much, if anything, about the ROLO system, their statement was speculation that it was the ROLO system that did the damage .... when, in fact, it was more likely the tech doing the alignment that did the damage. Dealer protecting dealer? Maybe ... but I don't put much weight to that.

Similarly, I will not name the dealer that did the alignment -- I can't, I don't know who it is. I can only say they are in Oklahoma; last I checked at the Spyder Comfort site, there were two in OK (and I don't know which one it is).

As stated previously -- my dealer has always treated me fairly (from service to sale) and they have a decent service department. In addition, they have been a great advocate any time I have run into a warranty issue with either my 2012RT or the, current, 2016RT. So, no, I will NOT speak ill of them ... they don't deserve it.

Sorry to disappoint you .... Ann