Front Sprocket Failure

[zuni]

Is this happening to mostly 2015 models?

Happening on 2015 and 2016 models in the F3 line. I have only heard of one RT model that has had the issue.

CJ JAX

 

[Highwayman2013]

Had one on an F3 here in Las Vegas. Is this becoming a real problem?

 

[Beachbum]

Torque setting

What is the proper torque setting for the bolt?

 

[Bruce B]

Torque setting

What is the proper torque setting for the bolt?

The torque settings are: 92ft lbs or 125Nm

 

[SpyderF3-s]

Happened to me at 28000 miles

My Spyder is in the shop for this right now for this issue. According to the service manager, this is a common issue. He said that they get one of these a month in. BRP should put out a service bulletin to all dealers to check for this issue when doing any type of service. Lucky for me I was at a stop light when this happened. If I had been on the Interstate who knows what may have happened. I would be interested to know what others mileage is.

 

[Beachbum]

Thank you

Reading your thread has prompted me to check the front sprocket on both my spyder and a friends. I don't have a shop (service) manual yet so I needed the proper torque settings in case I find a problem with either spyder. Thank you for sharing the diagnosis and thank you Bruce for the proper setting. I know you have saved at least two other riders from having the same trouble. I hope you get your spyder back and on the road soon, thanks again.

 

[Roadster Renovations]

I think it is a torque issue with a reduced gear ratio. Weakest part is the front sprocket. Will keep happening until they make a tougher pulley to compensate. Bolt should not come loose unless the splines get some play and start working the bolt, backing it off.

 

[Steamer]

Can you reach the bolt connecting the pully without removing the cover?
Do you need a torque rench to check the tightness or can you just reach under the cover and use an open end reach to check if the bolt is loose. Do you have to loosen the belt?
I have 7000 miles on both 2015 F3se. Thanks

 

[Beachbum]

Steamer, I had to remove the cover and the proper torque setting is 92ft lbs so I set the torque wrench to 70ft lbs to avoid breaking the lock tite bond. I found no movement on two spyders that I checked (one f3s se6 with 11,000 miles and one sm6 with 7,000 miles)

 

[Steamer]

Thanks beachbum. Using a lower setting on the wrench is a VERY good suggestion.
I crawled under the bike and just used an open end wrench just to see if the bolt was loose. The dolt did not move and I gave it a reasonable tug. Wil remove the cover and use a torque wrench via your suggest setting.

 

[SilverSurfer]

2015 Spyder RT-S, 16,000 Miles

Just happened to me in the right-turn lane at a major highway. :-(
Half hour baking in the sun waiting on the tow (which AMA wouldn't cover because I couldn't call from the membership card at the time).

Happy to at least understand what the problem was.

 

[tim1]

The yellow locktite they use is reusable and you can check your torque to 95 lbs.Mine was tite and inside pulley toast. If you remove the bolt, clean it with acetone and use blue locktite and retorque. Chances are you will not be able to slide the pulley off if you loosen the belt, took a 3 jaw puller on mine, but I had red dust. Used the 648 locktite and will keep a eye on it, only 3 bolts to check it. You can google the yellow locktite they use and it is a good read. Stronger than blue and not as strong as red.

 

[Freddy]

If I were going to use Loctite it would be the one developed for this for this sort of application - 660 with 7471 primer and leave for 24hrs after assembly to allow for full cure

http://www.loctite.com.au/3320_AUE_HTML.htm?nodeid=8802627715073

 

[tim1]

if there is a next time, may be 660. we will see in 12k miles.

 

[StickerPatch]

Torque Setting

The torque settings are: 92ft lbs or 125Nm

If this joint is loctited I do not suggest you check torque without a fresh application of loctite. Twisting the nut or bolt will destroy the loctite bond...

 

[Rattlebars]

Left side of the bike below the front sprocket. My collection of metal shavings that should have made up the splines of the sprocket.

CJ JAX

Trust you gut folks, sometimes you get a feeling that something is not quite right. Take a second to check it out. Jumping around on either RT or F3s or F3t left me questioning if I could feel something or it was imagination. Yesterday the splines on the front sprocket had finally worn enough that it spun on the shaft. Less than 9,000 miles. Not happy but the timing could have been worse, much worse. Had I been trying to pass on a two lane road or make a left turn across traffic when it failed I would have been left hanging. It is something worth keeping an eye on. Take a small flashlight and peek behind the cover that is in front of the rear sprocket. There is a small pan underneath that filing will collect on. Additionally since the shavings have become "charged" they stick to other metal parts and will even stand up in the tray. A one minute check could give you an idea if you have a problem or need a closer examination. The failure also explained why my belt kept creeping and needing adjustment.
Now the waiting game. No dealer appointments until a week from tomorrow and they won't order parts until they see it and verify with BRP that it is warranty. Wonder if this is a part or build issue. This was the first F3s delivered in FL. I only have 9k on it and I know others have more. Curious.

CJ JAX

I was confused too because the Original Post says "in front of the rear sprocket."

 

[007james]

Happening on 2015 and 2016 models in the F3 line. I have only heard of one RT model that has had the issue.

CJ JAX

My 2016 RT Limited Sprocket failed at 21,500 miles. Just got it back from the Shop a week ago. It was there 2 months before the Dealer repaired it under Waurentee. I lost most of my Summer on the Spyder, but I bought a Harley Heritage to ride diring the uncertain down time. Always wanted a Harley, so the Spyder failure motivated me to buy one. Owning my 2nd Spyder RT has taught me to always keep a spare ride in the garage!

 

[stmike 1800]

My 2016 RT Limited Sprocket failed at 21,500 miles. Just got it back from the Shop a week ago. It was there 2 months before the Dealer repaired it under Waurentee. I lost most of my Summer on the Spyder, but I bought a Harley Heritage to ride diring the uncertain down time. Always wanted a Harley, so the Spyder failure motivated me to buy one. Owning my 2nd Spyder RT has taught me to always keep a spare ride in the garage!

That is just sad ,two months of down time . Some heads need to roll ,ether at the dealer or BRP .

 

[007james]

That is just sad ,two months of down time . Some heads need to roll ,ether at the dealer or BRP .

Yes, it was sad, but the Dealer was already 6 weeks out in service Bookings when I dropped it off because the whining and grinding noise was so bad, I thought I had problems in either the Clutch or Tranny. The Dealer first thought they would have to remove the engine, but eventually found the Sproket failure. At the very last few days before I got the Spyder back, I did email BRP, and complained. They reviewed my Case, and awarded me 4 extra months on my Factory Waurentee for my 2 months down time and stress. So, all in all, the Moral of the story is, as most Spyder Owners outside of Canada know, we must have the Patience of Job to Buy, Own, and retain a Spyder, and even upgrade to a new one as I did. The facts are, Spyders are high maintence Technical Vehcles, and the Dealer Networks are scarce, and BRP Factory Certified Techs are even scarcer! But let’s face it,...we need them more than they need us, or the few of us that complain, at least. I just had my Spyder Dealer put new tires and brake pads on my Harley! So, looks like they still own my business,...and like it! HaHa

 

[fantabstic]

Front Sprocket failure.

I have under 8000 mile on my 2015 F3S. Heard a weird noise too and took bike into Sun sorts in Ft. Myers. I told them about the red dust by the front sprocket and they said all belt driven bikes have that. Where does red oxide come from from a black belt? They said it was my belt tensioner and replaced it. I still had the noise of the sprocket (grinding like a bad bearing) when I decelerated. They said that noise is common with the spyder and I told them that if I heard that kind of noise before I would not have purchased it in the first place! I asked for the Service Manager, as you can not talk directly to the technician. He rode it and put it back in the shop. They had to heat up the sprocket to get it off and the splines were damaged, as well as the shaft. See attached pictures. Three things to think about...if you see red oxide by the front sprocket bring in you bike. Two..Ask for a service manager if you don't agree with what you are hearing. Three...buy the extended service warranty. Costs so far is over $2,500 and that does not include what they may find when they take out the shaft. I will keep you posted. I am 2 weeks without a bike now and it looks like another 2 weeks for sure.:gaah: