Grease front end

[JCSMOKE]

speaking of grease when i rock the bike sideways [turned off] i hear a noticeable grunt type of squeek, like a rubber bushing somewhere. could this be a grease fitting that needs grease or just a dry bushing?:dontknow:

I tried this myself and got the same result, after listening closer I realized it was me making the noise. :yikes:

 

[GeoffCee]

I drill 1" holes above the grease fitting, took care of problem.
Makes you wonder how the dealer does it, maybe they
Don't.:shocked:

You gotta photo of what you did? Access holes sounds like a neat idea to me, better than convoluted grease gun applicators with 24 inches of hose attached. Sheesh, another BRP problem to overcome. Do we buy these machines to ride or are they a step on the way to an applied engineering degree? (That's a rhetorical question, it doesn't require an answer). :f_spider:

 

[Mr. White]

The schedule calls for lube at 600 miles, then every 12K or two years, but I don't think that is adequate. I would recommend every 6,000 miles...or even at every oil change, like I do for mine.

Thanks, Scotty. I watched the tech do my 600 and 3,000 and do not remember seeing him do any greasing on anything. I will make sure it is done at my 6K oil change. Everyone brags on him as one of the best and he may have done it when I was getting coffee or out on the sales floor, but not when I was present. I plan on switching to Amsoil 10-40 synthetic at 6K. This is when I went full synthetic on my other scoots. Works for me.

:spyder2:

 

[Bob Denman]

It looks as if this gets added to the "To-Do" list for Tuesday's trip to the dealer...:thumbup: Thanks for bringing it to my attention!

 

[ulflyer]

Can't find any grease fittings

Does anyone have a pic that shows where the fittings are? Just came in from looking at my RT SE and danged if I can see anything that looks like grease fittings. I see the steering arm, upper & lower ball joints, and they have a nut with clip on the bottoms. Thats only three.....wheres a fourth?

I have to gease my tractors and mowers and such so I am familiar with fittings.

 

[Rayelljay]

I read about greasing the front end and the associated problems.
Newbee questions:
When should this be done....?
What type of grease do you recommend....?
Should the suspension be unloaded....?
Anything peculiar to look for....?
Mine is a '11 RS SM.
Ray

 

[NancysToy]

I read about greasing the front end and the associated problems.
Newbee questions:
When should this be done....?
What type of grease do you recommend....?
Should the suspension be unloaded....?
Anything peculiar to look for....?
Mine is a '11 RS SM.
Ray

The maintenance schedule calls for greasing the suspension arm bushings at 600 miles, and every 12,000 thereafter. I recommend doing it more frequently...at least every 6,000 miles.

BRP specifies their waterproof, synthetic grease. If another waterproof, synthetic grease is substituted, be sure and flush the fittings thoroughly with the new grease, and inspect and lube again at the next oil change. Different formulations of greases are often incompatible, and can cause the grease to liquify or and fail if mixed.

I recommend unloading the suspension, but I don't think BRP specifies it.

Things to look for: If old grease does not come out of the bushing when the new grease is applied, there is a problem that needs to be corrected. Could be a bad fit of the gun on the grease fitting, a plugged fitting, hardened grease in the bushing, or a failed bushing.

 

[AMTJIM]

So you're using that Can-Am XP-S suspension grease?

 

[NancysToy]

So you're using that Can-Am XP-S suspension grease?

I was, but I have switched to Mobil 1 Synthetic Grease, mostly because I don't have to ride 32 miles to purchase it. I purged the bushings and grease them frequently, and have had no problems. The Mobil 1 is made for suspension components.

 

[ulflyer]

Does the RT SE have grease fittings too?

As mentioned in my previous entry, I can't see any fittings on mine.
Does RS and RT both have them?

 

[sandrunr1]

Yep!!!

I really hope you are kidding. Wearing out the front bushings for lack of grease does not take long, and it is a sure way to end up with an ill handling Spyder, and prematurely and unevenly worn tires. :lecturef_smilie:

Of course Im kidding. Smile, you may be on camera.

 

[NancysToy]

As mentioned in my previous entry, I can't see any fittings on mine.
Does RS and RT both have them?

All Spyders have these fittings.

 

[Bad Dog6]

Synthetic Grease

Scotty
For all of the folks that got an AMSOIL membership, They also have some "State of the Art" Synthetic greases. Keep that in mind when it comes to, "Buy Grease" Time.

 

[NancysToy]

Does anyone have a pic that shows where the fittings are? Just came in from looking at my RT SE and danged if I can see anything that looks like grease fittings. I see the steering arm, upper & lower ball joints, and they have a nut with clip on the bottoms. Thats only three.....wheres a fourth?

I have to grease my tractors and mowers and such so I am familiar with fittings.

Look at the wide end of the A-arms.

 

[ulflyer]

Good Grief, I was looking and feeling all over the joints around the wheels as thats where one usually finds grease fittings. Never got down and peered way inside that critter; being somewhat super senior, "getting down" is not one of my favorite functions. This might be something I'll let the shop do, although I'm still a do-it-yourselfer for routine maint. Did the oil/filter bit yesterday and it took 2 hrs.

Thanks Scotty.

 

[NancysToy]

Good Grief, I was looking and feeling all over the joints around the wheels as thats where one usually finds grease fittings. Never got down and peered way inside that critter; being somewhat super senior, "getting down" is not one of my favorite functions. This might be something I'll let the shop do, although I'm still a do-it-yourselfer for routine maint. Did the oil/filter bit yesterday and it took 2 hrs.

Thanks Scotty.

I figured you were looking at the wrong end of the A-arms.

 

[Trickie Dick]

Look at the wide end of the A-arms.

View attachment 34500

I only count 2 on each side. You mentioned in an earlier post there were 4 on each side. Am I missing something:dontknow:

 

[billybovine]

Quote I only count 2 on each side. You mentioned in an earlier post there were 4 on each side. Am I missing something:dontknow:

2 on the upper and 2 on the lower.

 

[Neez]

I greased the suspension yesterday. Following Helipit's advice, I bought a pistol grip gun and, yes, it certainly helps. Another thing I did was to exchange my 2 joined gun regular flex hoses for 2 hoses of the slender variety, joined together with a 1/8 NPT coupling.I find that these changes help ease an awkward chore.

 

[Sarge707]

Thanks, Scotty. I watched the tech do my 600 and 3,000 and do not remember seeing him do any greasing on anything. I will make sure it is done at my 6K oil change. Everyone brags on him as one of the best and he may have done it when I was getting coffee or out on the sales floor, but not when I was present. I plan on switching to Amsoil 10-40 synthetic at 6K. This is when I went full synthetic on my other scoots. Works for me.

:spyder2:

Using a grease gun is not a Favorite thing for People or Techs to do because your hands get smelly and greasy?
If they have been greased you should see grease left over on the nipples and hopefully some under the fitting where there is a area for excess grease to vent! :spyder2: