Ball joint problem on new RT

[Big Mac]

Hi all

My wife's Spyder RT Ltd has only done 644 miles, but she seems to already be on her second major problem (after the Gear Position Sensor failing last month)!

I took the right mudguard off last week in order to install some TricLed farkles. While it was off, I somewhat idly tried rocking the wheel by placing my hand on top of the tyre and moving it in and out. I was a little surprised to find some play, so I mentioned it to a friend of mine (Ed) who is a motorbike mechanic. He did the same test, and said the play suggested that the wheel bearing was bad.

He then tried another test (front jacked up so wheel off ground, hands on top and bottom of tyre, rocking wheel in and out). With that test, he could again detect some play. However, when he removed the plastic cap which covered the wheel nut and placed a finger against the bearing, he rocked the wheel again and could tell there was in fact no play in that bearing.

However, when he placed fingers either side of the rubber boot around the top ball joint and again rocked the wheel, it was clear that the play was there.

So he removed the bolt holding the top ball joint in place and pulled the ball joint upwards until it was free. He then showed me how loose the shaft below the ball was - MUCH looser than it should be, in his experience.

Just for a comparison really, I then asked Ed to check out the left wheel also, even though I had not been able to feel any play on that one using my initial test (wheel on ground, hand on top of tyre, rocking wheel in and out).

He agreed with me on that test, but then proceeded with his other test (wheel off ground, hands on top and bottom of tyre, rocking wheel in and out). With that test, he could detect some play - though not as bad as the right hand wheel.

He then removed the top ball joint and found that it too was very loose! In fact, as we moved the ball's shaft around, we could feel scraping - as if maybe the plastic cage around the ball has disintegrated?

Ed feels that the ball joints could totally disintegrate at any time and has recommended we do not ryde the bike!

My research shows that there was a Service Bulletin for the 2013 model's ball joints. Could there still be a problem? I've had a quick scan of the forums and cannot see any mention of ball joint problems on the latest model, not least after just 644 miles!

Any suggestions or comments would be most welcome.

 

[JayBros]

Get thee to thy dealer; use his shillings to fix.

 

[Chupaca]

:agree: that new with that mileage I would have the dealer deal with it. Did he check the torque on those mounting nuts? Have not heard or seen any issues like this on the new models. :thumbup:

 

[Big Mac]

Sadly, the dealer is 280 miles away - and I'd have to pay the transport both ways even though it's a dangerous fault on a barely-used vehicle!

 

[Bob Denman]

What about a closer dealer? This is a warranty issue...

EDIT: After noting your location; realize that your options may be limited.
1.Could you call the dealer, and see if they'll order the parts for you?
2.Could you and/or Ed install the part?
If not; is there another qualified shop nearby?
3. Could your dealer arrange for a re-imbursement for your costs from BRP?

 

[billybovine]

The 2013 ball joint problem was too tight making it hard to steer. Opposite to the problem you are experiencing.

 

[Big Mac]

Thanks for your suggestions, Bob.

The closest official dealer is still 150 miles away, unfortunately. I think there are now only 4 in the whole of the UK! With so few official dealers, I might ask if they ever authorise other competent motorcycle repair shops (e.g. the one my mate Ed works at) to handle straightforward warranty work such as this?

Ed is certainly confident he could install the parts, though it needs some special tools AND apparently quite a lot of dismantling.

I've had no suggestion from my dealer that BRP might reimburse transport costs - or repair costs if Ed were to do it, for example - though he plans to speak to them about my problem tomorrow. Who knows, maybe they'll say that Spyders are meant to have play in the ball joints?

 

[Big Mac]

As daft as it sounded when I wrote it, it's looking like my last statement above might be true!

My dealer (OHG Quads) has been very sympathetic - even offering transport for the bike - but for comparison they first sent me a brand new Spyder ball joint. And blow me down if that doesn't have a very loose shaft too!

I have been doing a lot of reading about ball joints, confirming what I was told - that they are usually quite difficult, or even impossible, to move by hand. But these Spyder ones move very easily. So maybe our ball joints are acting normally after all. Presumably the play which we felt in the various tests is a result of the Spyder's ball joints being routinely sloppy, and thus is not something to be worried about?