Spyder Down - bolt/axle swing arm mount moved in frame!! Need BRP contact?

[ingramsail]

Need help on getting a phone number to someone at BRP that really cares not the customer care number. The problem is the bolt/axle at the front of the swing axle has wallowed out the frame mounting holes. Warranty says it's the owner problem, from over tightening the belt. I see the damage at the front of hole not the back, if belt had caused it should the ware be at the back side? Also if the belt was to tight I would have loss rear wheel bearings, 43000 Plus mile and rear bearings still good. This is a RTS SE6 2014.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Need help on getting a phone number to someone at BRP that really cares not the customer care number. The problem is the bolt/axle at the front of the swing axle has wallowed out the frame mounting holes. Warranty says it's the owner problem, from over tightening the belt. I see the damage at the front of hole not the back, if belt had caused it should the ware be at the back side? Also if the belt was to tight I would have loss rear wheel bearings, 43000 Plus mile and rear bearings still good. This is a RTS SE6 2014.

Who do you mean "warranty says"? Have you worked with the dealer? Are you still under warranty?

 

[ingramsail]

Yes ,working with local dealer and brp said no to repair. Brp Customer Care also also said they can't do anything about warranty and you as a customer can not speak to warranty.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Yes ,working with local dealer and brp said no to repair. Brp Customer Care also also said they can't do anything about warranty and you as a customer can not speak to warranty.

So you've had direct contact with customer care? What's the dealer doing, or trying to do? Something sounds fishy.

Can you post a photo so we can see the problem?

 

[JayBros]

Have you yourself replaced any rear tires or adjusted the belt? It would seem to me that if the Spyder was serviced exclusively by a dealer and the frame swing arm bolt holes are worn due to excess belt tension, that's between BRP and the servicing dealer(s) and BRP should stand behind you as the owner. OTOH, if you've done your own tire replacement and belt tensioning that could be a gotcha.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Have you yourself replaced any rear tires or adjusted the belt? It would seem to me that if the Spyder was serviced exclusively by a dealer and the frame swing arm bolt holes are worn due to excess belt tension, that's between BRP and the servicing dealer(s) and BRP should stand behind you as the owner. OTOH, if you've done your own tire replacement and belt tensioning that could be a gotcha.

If belt tension was really the cause I would think it would have caused the transmission shaft and bearings to go first, or the rear wheel bearings maybe. At least that is what history of Spyder failures leads me to think.

My first suspicion is someone at BRP is loathe to acknowledge this failure mode is even possible. It doesn't make sense in my mind.

 

[ingramsail]

This is are third spyder a rss 2010 a 2012 rts and now a rts 2014 and have done all service and tire change on all units. Anyone how knows me knows how much I like my RTS and have bragged about it all over US in are travels. If I get no help from BRP it will be my last and I will be a just another unhappy BRP customer.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

This is are third spyder a rss 2010 a 2012 rts and now a rts 2014 and have done all service and tire change on all units. Anyone how knows me knows how much I like my RTS and have bragged about it all over US in are travels. If I get no help from BRP it will be my last and I will be a just another unhappy BRP customer.
View attachment 155922

Oh dear! That right there may be your problem. You have the Spyder apart in your own garage. Had the dealer disassembled it in his shop the story would probably be different. But I can't say for sure, of course.

How about a close up photo of the worn area? You've really got me wondering.

 

[Chupaca]

Curious

The swing arm has 4 bearings, 2 sleeves and two spacers. My understanding is that the bearing mounts are deformed...?? This is strange because most of the tight belt issues were the rear wheel and the output bearings. True in all cases they are wear items and not covered by warranty but BRP has helped out in the past. Did you get a case number..? if not you need the dealer to open a case that you can work with....:thumbup:

 

[robhowen]

Do you know the fix alternatives?

Do you know what the fix alternatives are and the potential cost if not covered under warranty? You still might not be happy, but you would have a sense of the impact. Don't throw the baby out with the bath water.

Rob

 

[Bob Denman]

You could ask the dealer if they'd be willing to look for a repair under a "Special Accommodation" basis...
If they value your business: they might have some pull with BRP, and be able to help you out.
Good luck! :thumbup:

 

[UtahPete]

Who do you mean "warranty says"? Have you worked with the dealer? Are you still under warranty?

Which warranty do you have and when does it expire? If it's not a B.E.S.T. warranty, then you can't expect BRP to honor it, right?

 

[ingramsail]

The dealership took it apart, and said swing arm mounts were the problem. I will go back tomorrow and take some measurements, also take some pictures. best warranty

 

[ingramsail]

If I get no help from BRP I will bring the basket case home and repair it right.

 

[DGoebel]

ingramsail, Just a curiosity kinda question, Did you tow a trailer with the '14 or buy it used? Could it have been rear ended and repaired before you bought it and the damage was from an impact to the rear tire/swing arm assembly? Maybe someone else could pitch in with any experience with that kind of failure/damage/wear when you post the pictures.

 

[KX5062]

Need help on getting a phone number to someone at BRP that really cares not the customer care number. The problem is the bolt/axle at the front of the swing axle has wallowed out the frame mounting holes. Warranty says it's the owner problem, from over tightening the belt. I see the damage at the front of hole not the back, if belt had caused it should the ware be at the back side? Also if the belt was to tight I would have loss rear wheel bearings, 43000 Plus mile and rear bearings still good. This is a RTS SE6 2014.

I'm sorry and I'm not trying to be thick, (maybe I don't speak Texican good enough) but I'm not understanding your problem. Are you referring to the pivot bolt on the swing arm?

 

[ingramsail]

Yes, it where the bolt mounts the swing to the frame. This is my 3rd spyder and it was new .

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Something's not adding up. Here's a pic from the '14 RT service manual that shows how it's assembled.

A bolt goes into both ends of the axle where the #1 is pointing. There are two bearings on each arm with a spacer between them. The entire axle stack up should be clamped tight together by the bolts on each end. The swing arm rotates on the bearings. Therefore there can be no relative movement between the axle and the frame. See just below the #4. The parts diagram shows a sleeve around the spacer. See #91 below. I don't know what the purpose of it is. If, as you're saying, the hole in the frame is elongated then that means the axle had to be rotating inside the sleeve welded in the frame. That can only happen if the bearings at one end were frozen, or the sleeve #91 was frozen to the swing arm and axle, such that when the swing arm rotated it rotated the bearing.



The tension of the drive belt has zero to do with the relation of the axle to the frame. Make the dealer have BRP explain very clearly how the belt tension would cause the hole in the frame to be elongated if everything was assembled correctly. They cannot.

If the hole in the thin metal of the frame is elongated that means the entire assembly, including the sleeve through the frame, was rotating. That can happen only if the sleeve through the frame was not welded to the frame. That would be an obvious manufacturing defect. That's why I would like to see a picture of the problem. There's no way if everything was assembled properly at the factory that there can be an elongated hole in the frame.

I think BRP owes you a new frame. Hold onto this problem like a dog on a bone until BRP comes through. Make the dealer carry the battle for you.

 

[ingramsail]

Will BRP still says it my Problem, their engineers say it can only happen if the belt is to tight. I'm tired of not being able to call to anyone in warranty or engineering and. customer care at brp only has 2 words (I'm sorry). As of tomorrow I will paid for work the tec as done and pickup this basket case and repair it myself! This will be the last time I buy or brag about a BRP product, there are other fun ride out there.

 

[ARtraveler]

Will BRP still says it my Problem, their engineers say it can only happen if the belt is to tight. I'm tired of not being able to call to anyone in warranty or engineering and. customer care at brp only has 2 words (I'm sorry). As of tomorrow I will paid for work the tec as done and pickup this basket case and repair it myself! This will be the last time I buy or brag about a BRP product, there are other fun ride out there.

Sorry to hear about your troubles. It does sound like you have been left holding the bag. There is a lot of competition these days.