Snapped the Heim Joint on my 2013 RT-S

[stewartj239]

I was on my way to work this AM making a left hand, 1st year turn on to the highway. I heard a loud crack, the Spyder dropped about an inch and I knew right away that it was the Heim Joint. I was able to get it back home safely by taking it very easy in the turns. Rather than have the dealer fix it under warranty with the same low quality part, I'm ordering the chromoly units from BajaRon. I've already added the BajaRon sway bar, so I hope that this makes the handling even better.

 

[AeroPilot]

What popped? The poly link holding the heim ball?

I was on my way to work this AM making a left hand, 1st year turn on to the highway. I heard a loud crack, the Spyder dropped about an inch and I knew right away that it was the Heim Joint. I was able to get it back home safely by taking it very easy in the turns. Rather than have the dealer fix it under warranty with the same low quality part, I'm ordering the chromoly units from BajaRon. I've already added the BajaRon sway bar, so I hope that this makes the handling even better.

What popped? The poly link holding the heim ball?

 

[ThreeWheels]

I was on my way to work this AM making a left hand, 1st year turn on to the highway. I heard a loud crack, the Spyder dropped about an inch and I knew right away that it was the Heim Joint. I was able to get it back home safely by taking it very easy in the turns. Rather than have the dealer fix it under warranty with the same low quality part, I'm ordering the chromoly units from BajaRon. I've already added the BajaRon sway bar, so I hope that this makes the handling even better.

I don't think adding the RonLinks makes the handling any better, but it will surely make the RonBar/RonLink installation more reliable.
Bravo on your choice.

 

[grumpybob]

That stinks! Hope you get back on the road quickly.

 

[billybovine]

What number?

Please let us know what number it is? It would be nice to know if the breaking links are number 4's without a paint dot like the warranty campaign states or if the part is under designed. Others have reported breaking links but when asked about the number never seem to reply.

 

[Gsmoth9504]

Please let us know what number it is? It would be nice to know if the breaking links are number 4's without a paint dot like the warranty campaign states or if the part is under designed. Others have reported breaking links but when asked about the number never seem to reply.

My 2013 RT Limited had a broken link replaced last Saturday. It was a "4" without a white dot. One end had broken completely. A new link and the BajaRon swaybar makes my bike drive/ride completely different. It's a pleasure to ride it now...no wandering!

 

[Bob Denman]

I don't think adding the RonLinks makes the handling any better, but it will surely make the RonBar/RonLink installation more reliable.
Bravo on your choice.

:agree: :2thumbs:

 

[stewartj239]

What popped? The poly link holding the heim ball?

Yes, that is what broke. The plastic that goes around the ball completely snapped off and is gone!

 

[BajaRon]

Yes, that is what broke. The plastic that goes around the ball completely snapped off and is gone!

This is the most common break point from what I can tell (bottom of the link). Some have broken in the middle but that seems rare. You would think the top portion would break just as often.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I am happy to say that my heim link did not break. :clap:But I think it may have melted. :roflblack:

 

[Chupaca]

Have to agree..!!

I installed the new Bajaron hiem joints and the handling is the same. Clearance is better..mine did not break but no need to wait till they do..!! :thumbup:

 

[kaykinder]

This is the piece that broke on us while driving the tail of the dragon in the smokey mountains TN August 8th. (It was still safe to drive only leaned a bit in the turns) We were told this piece was recalled just a few days ago and was replaced under warranty. The nearest can am repair shop went out of their way to get it done quickly while we waited - we were back on the road fast.

I am still a happy spyder rider!

 

[stewartj239]

View attachment 73541

This is the piece that broke on us while driving the tail of the dragon in the smokey mountains TN August 8th. (It was still safe to drive only leaned a bit in the turns) We were told this piece was recalled just a few days ago and was replaced under warranty. The nearest can am repair shop went out of their way to get it done quickly while we waited - we were back on the road fast.

I am still a happy spyder rider!

That is exactly where mine broke. The dealer said they'd fix it, but I don't trust that part now. It is made of plastic and quite frankly looks to be under-engineered.

 

[Magdave]

That is exactly where mine broke. The dealer said they'd fix it, but I don't trust that part now. It is made of plastic and quite frankly looks to be under-engineered.

BahaRon's

 

[Bob Ledford]

Got warm

I am happy to say that my heim link did not break. :clap:But I think it may have melted. :roflblack:

SpyderAnn you can get away with that expression now that you are the winner as the best melt down rider of 2013 so far this year.
:bbqh

 

[TexAmRider]

Heim Link and new shocks

I didn't have a heim joint break, but my dealer did call me last week to bring mine in for replacement. My spyder was serviced this past Saturday, and along with the heim links, they installed some new BRP shocks. The dealer told me the new shocks were stronger an tighter than the original ones. Turns out the bike handles so much better. The new shocks made a big difference. I told the dealer we would talk more about the installation of Ron's sway bar and Heim joints when I come in for my 4600 mile check up. I'll ride for a while and give the new shocks a good break in, to see how they hold up.

 

[stewartj239]

BahaRon's
View attachment 73547

I got the new BajaRon heim joints today. This is a great photo posted by Magdave. They are so much stronger than the stockers. I hope to get them installed tomorrow night and will post some comparison photos.

 

[stewartj239]

Just to give everyone an update, I did get the new BajaRon chromoly heim joints installed about a week ago. It was a very simple procedure and took well under 45 minutes to perform. The old link that I broke does appear to be #4 as seen in the one photo. The other photo gives a look at where the OEM link broke. It appears to be a molding problem as the outer part of it is literally hollow and the inner part looks like the inside of a Nestle Crunch bar. I did return them to my dealer as they said BRP would be interested in the lot / date info.