Transmission Bearing Replacement - anyone had one done?

[solidgranite]

I've got a 2012 RT SE5, and apparently I have a bad transmission bearing. Has anyone ever had to have one replaced by a Can Am dealer? I think I'm looking at $1200+... No one around here works on Spyders except the Can Am dealer, 40 miles away. Any advice or suggestions?

 

[JayBros]

If the 40 miles is to Honda Can-Am Seadoo of Winston Salem you couldn't have a better tech that I know of in NC do the job.

 

[solidgranite]

If the 40 miles is to Honda Can-Am Seadoo of Winston Salem you couldn't have a better tech that I know of in NC do the job.

Unfortunately my Can Am dealer is in Chesapeake, VA...they have a good service team, but they are expensive! I imagine they'll fine a list of "other issues" they'll claim need to be handled at once. I'm sticking to my guns, and just having the bearing issue repaired.

 

[JayBros]

If they're really "good" they may be expensive but, OTOH, since they're getting into the transmission there may be things that they know should be replaced and those that do not need to be swapped out. Age and mileage on your Spyder might be an issue with such items as vacuum lines.

 

[BajaRon]

I am assuming that you are talking about the output shaft bearing? That was a common failure on Spyders running the recommended belt tension. Unfortunately, anything that requires dissassembly of the transmission is going to be pretty expensive. If you need the work done. I recommend what I think the others are saying. Concentrate on getting a good job and not so much on the cost. If it is done right, you will probably soon forget about the cost. If not, you may remember it forever!

Good luck!

 

[solidgranite]

If they're really "good" they may be expensive but, OTOH, since they're getting into the transmission there may be things that they know should be replaced and those that do not need to be swapped out. Age and mileage on your Spyder might be an issue with such items as vacuum lines.

They are good mechanics, but my concern is that they'll "find" a half dozen more things that "need to be repaired", which will drive the bill into the atmosphere. The bike is a 2012 model with 60,000 miles on it, but has been carefully kept up for the 4 years I've owned it. I have very limited resources, and I don't want to see a $1200 bill turn into a $2000+ bill !!!

 

[solidgranite]

I am assuming that you are talking about the output shaft bearing? That was a common failure on Spyders running the recommended belt tension. Unfortunately, anything that requires dissassembly of the transmission is going to be pretty expensive. If you need the work done. I recommend what I think the others are saying. Concentrate on getting a good job and not so much on the cost. If it is done right, you will probably soon forget about the cost. If not, you may remember it forever!

Good luck!

My concern is that they'll "find" more things that "need to be repaired right away", and the $1200 bill will turn into $2000+. I'm at their mercy because there's no competition for Can Ams anywhere near here, and "regular" bike shops won't touch a Spyder because they require special manuals, tools and knowledge. I can barely afford the $1200 bill for the bearing repair, so I'll have to be clear that they STOP when that's done.

 

[Mikey]

They are good mechanics, but my concern is that they'll "find" a half dozen more things that "need to be repaired", which will drive the bill into the atmosphere. The bike is a 2012 model with 60,000 miles on it, but has been carefully kept up for the 4 years I've owned it. I have very limited resources, and I don't want to see a $1200 bill turn into a $2000+ bill !!!

Then you better tell them up front that nothing else gets done with out your ok, that's it, then you decide if it makes sense when they call you!!! That way there will not be a $2000 dollar bill at the end!!!

 

[BajaRon]

My concern is that they'll "find" more things that "need to be repaired right away", and the $1200 bill will turn into $2000+. I'm at their mercy because there's no competition for Can Ams anywhere near here, and "regular" bike shops won't touch a Spyder because they require special manuals, tools and knowledge. I can barely afford the $1200 bill for the bearing repair, so I'll have to be clear that they STOP when that's done.

If they do not get your approval for additional work, ie., additional costs, then they are risking doing so at their own expense as you have no legal obligation to pay beyond what you originally agree to. The problem will be, that you'll end up with a pile of parts if you have them stop mid stream. Or, worse, you'll end up with a completely assembled unit for the agreed upon price, that is still non-functional.

 

[KX5062]

Honestly a Spyder is just a motorcycle with an extra wheel. The early Spyder drivetrain is just an Aprilia engine/transmission adapted into the Spyder. A top notch independent motorcycle shop/mechanic with a shop manual can do the job and it will be much cheaper than a dealer due to a lower overhead.

 

[solidgranite]

Honestly a Spyder is just a motorcycle with an extra wheel. The early Spyder drivetrain is just an Aprilia engine/transmission adapted into the Spyder. A top notch independent motorcycle shop/mechanic with a shop manual can do the job and it will be much cheaper than a dealer due to a lower overhead.

That's good to hear! I'll ask some of HD riding buds for suggestions of good motorcycle mechanics. I'm the only Spyder rider in our group (maybe in the whole area). Most of the guys ride Harleys, and many work on their own bikes. Maybe they'll know a mechanic willing and able to work on my Can Am.

 

[Freddy]

What are the symptoms of this bearing failure?

 

[KX5062]

What are the symptoms of this bearing failure?

https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?140941-Grumbling-Noise-When-Coming-to-a-Stop

Here's his original thread.

 

[solidgranite]

What are the symptoms of this bearing failure?

The only symptom is the grumbling noise it makes when I back off the throttle all the way, and when I'm coasting to a stop. There are no performance issues. The bike shifts up and down perfectly. It was the Can Am dealer who suggested that it might be a transmission bearing, requiring a VERY expensive repair jon.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

The only symptom is the grumbling noise it makes when I back off the throttle all the way, and when I'm coasting to a stop. There are no performance issues. The bike shifts up and down perfectly. It was the Can Am dealer who suggested that it might be a transmission bearing, requiring a VERY expensive repair jon.

I would want to be PRESENT when they get that far in the dis-mantling process .... Sorry but I don't trust folks who suggest very expensive repairs using the " it might be this " principle .... jmho ... good luck ... Mike :thumbup: