Soft handling issues on 2013 Spyders has a fix-please read

[Lamonster]

BRP has found that some vehicles have been produced using front suspension lower arm ball joints with too high friction that may affect the dynamic driving performance and the customer satisfaction.
BRP has issued Tuesday a warranty campaign for 2013 spyder models affected by this problem.
This bulletin is now available for all dealers.

The solution is very simple. BRP is asking dealers to replace suspension lower arm ball joints on both sides under warranty.
This will help dealers to solve the issue with currently registered spyders. For customers who have not noticed a soft driving behavior, BRP still recommends getting the new ball joints installed.
It's a repair that can be achieve in less than an hour and will provide peace of mine and customer satisfaction.

Starting February 28, 2013; BRP will auto-ship a significant quantity of ball joints to dealers to speed the process. The priorities will be registered units and seasonality.
Finally, for customers looking to purchase new 2013 Spyders, dealers will most likely replace ball joints at PDI when assembling the bikes so this will not be an issue for them.

 

[ARtraveler]

Thank you for posting the information from BRP. :thumbup:

 

[Spydered]

Soft handling issues

Thanks for posting Lamont. Now maybe I will get a delivery date.

 

[GuitarPlayer]

My dealer told me essentially the same thing today. I'm glad BRP figured out what was causing the issue.

Tony

 

[daveinva]

Just to confirm: is this a separate issue from the mis-alignment issues, or is this the problem that was causing the mis-alignment issues?

 

[Lamonster]

Just to confirm: is this a separate issue from the mis-alignment issues, or is this the problem that was causing the mis-alignment issues?

This is separate and some of the alinement issues may have to do with the ball joint and not the alinement at all. It's hard to say as this point but for sure all the lower ball joints should be replaced and hopefully that will solve the problem for those who are having it.

 

[StanProff]

Good news for all!

 

[Bob Denman]

Thanks Lamont, for getting the info out to all of us! :2thumbs:
This confirms what was reported earlier... :clap: Thanks Weapon!

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?49163-2013-steering-fix

 

[ivanlee]

This is separate and some of the alinement issues may have to do with the ball joint and not the alinement at all. It's hard to say as this point but for sure all the lower ball joints should be replaced and hopefully that will solve the problem for those who are having it.

Are they going to do alignment after installing new ball joints. :dontknow:
:dontknow:

 

[Lamonster]

Are they going to do alignment after installing new ball joints. :dontknow:
:dontknow:

It's not required but can be done if needed.

 

[BikerDoc]

Seems like another example of BRP's improved responsiveness....

 

[arntufun]

Are they going to do alignment after installing new ball joints. :dontknow:
:dontknow:

Thats a very tricky but excellent question.


If your Spyder was aligned properly from the factory with good ball joints than no you would not need to have it aligned again.

But it is my understanding they are not correct from the factory, so technically your original alignment could be off even when these new ball joints are installed .

It could be off from the factory because it was originally aligned using bad ball joints. I'm not saying it is....... but it's possible.

 

[Bob Denman]

Or at the very least; insist that they check it for you! :thumbup:

 

[cyclelover63]

I work at an auto dealership,and any tie rod replacement INCLUDES setting toe...That way you can't be blamed for tire wear later on..Good customer service also!

 

[NancysToy]

I work at an auto dealership,and any tie rod replacement INCLUDES setting toe...That way you can't be blamed for tire wear later on..Good customer service also!

Ball joints aren't the same as tie-rods, and normally replacement doesn't change the alignment.

 

[Chupaca]

At last..!!

:agree: Good to know that now all can move on to selling the 2013's with the knowledge that all is right in the world of spyder ryding.. Thanks Lamont and Weapon...:thumbup:

 

[ThreeWheels]

Ball joints aren't the same as tie-rods, and normally replacement doesn't change the alignment.

Good point.

I wonder if we will get reports of continued wandering after the ball joints are replaced.
Only time will tell.
Still, this is a good example of BRP standing behind their product.

 

[arntufun]

Ball joints aren't the same as tie-rods, and normally replacement doesn't change the alignment.

"Normally" speaking you are correct.

If the Spyder was originally aligned with bad ball joints would you agree this would not fall under "normally" ????

 

[NancysToy]

"Normally" speaking you are correct.

If the Spyder was originally aligned with bad ball joints would you agree this would not fall under "normally" ????

No, it would still depend on the original alignment...unless the original ball joints were too loose. These are too tight, so they should be well centered and replacement should not affect alignment. That is a separate issue.

 

[MouthPiece]

I guess my question is why would this phenomena, i.e., wandering only when you reach 60 mph and higher, and not speeds lower than 60 mph based on "the ball joint"?

I'm asking this question for information purposes only, and not as a "doubter" that this is the fix.


Chris