WARNING Windshield on Spyder RT

[Questions]

I've read many warnings on the two side brackets that hold the windshield on a Spyder RT. These posts talk about these brackets cracking or developing hairline cracks. Well, yesterday while operating my 2012 Spyder RT, I encountered a few minor pot holes in the road. My windshield was in the down position and I was travelling about 20 MPH as I was descending down a hill. All of a sudden my windshield fell forward and rested on the two side wind deflectors. I pulled over in a lot to see what had happened. I saw the BOTTOM bracket had broke in half. This is the bracket that raises and lowers the windshield. I drove directly to my dealer about 5 miles away. The service manager came out and looked at it. He told me this was the second Spyder he had seen where that lower bracket had snapped. Here is the kicker. This bracket is NOT a separate part. He said the whole windshield unit has to be replaced at a cost of about $600.00. BRP does NOT sell this bracket as a separate part.... Lucky for me may warrantee has about three more months left on my Spyder. The service manager said he hopes BRP has changed the design of this "white metal bracket"....... Has anyone else encountered this problem.....???

 

[Chupaca]

Yeah..!!

there have been several posts and threads about this problem. The fact you can not get the arm alone makes it that much worse. Can't understand why they can't get their suppliers to get them extra arms if this is becoming a common problem. I do remember one of those posters repairing it but admitting it was not pretty but worked. Maybe one of the sponsors could make some..JT's Machine Shop perhaps, at $600.00 to replace it they could be hand made one by one and still make it worth while...:thumbup:

 

[ARtraveler]

Agree, the brackets should be available separately. Why a whole windshield unit?

Since this is a known issue, all the more reason to have replacement brackets.

opcorn:opcorn:

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I think that most of the problems have been with the bottom bracket and not the side ones. That was what happened to mine. After yours is replaced try to ride with it about 1" up from the lowest position.

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: Keep it off of the bottom stops... it may not help; but it also can't hurt! :thumbup:
And BRP desperately needs to upgrade that center strut; they're just not holding up... :gaah:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

MIKEGUYVER TO THE RESCUE ...........................................YEA

Since I now own an RT one of my first concerns was the windshield MIDDLE BRACKET failure issue .....I have examined this piece and it would actually not be too difficult to re-create in steel.....................What the BRP design engineers did to make this a bit difficult is the sleeve inside the bottom of the bracket at the base where it attaches to the body of the Spyder...( DON'T ANYONE DARE ASK ME FOR PICS ON THIS )...this sleeve is hexagonal (?) in shape to match the shaft that rotates that moves the bracket...that moves the windshield up & down.....If that sleeve can be obtained or re-created any decent welder could make the BRACKET.........even me :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:.........Mike :2excited: :gaah:....While I was taking a shower and DEE was reading this Thread , I thought of another possibility.....since I haven't dis-assembled this part of my RT I don't know exactly how the BRACKET works ...so it's possible the an entire new shaft can be changed into the mix ....not just the " HEX " sleeve ......we'll see..........I need to go for a ride :2excited::shemademe_smilie:

 

[Cruzr Joe]

Since I now own an RT one of my first concerns was the windshield MIDDLE BRACKET failure issue .....I have examined this piece and it would actually not be too difficult to re-create in steel.....................What the BRP design engineers did to make this a bit difficult is the sleeve inside the bottom of the bracket at the base where it attaches to the body of the Spyder...( DON'T ANYONE DARE ASK ME FOR PICS ON THIS )...this sleeve is hexigonical (?) in shape to match the shaft that rotates that moves the bracket...that moves the windshield up & down.....If that sleeve can be obtained or re-created any decent welder could make the BRACKET.........even me :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:.........Mike :2excited:

Can you send me a picture of what you are talking about??

Anonymous

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

JUST FOR THAT

Can you send me a picture of what you are talking about??

Anonymous

:gaah: :yikes: :lecturef_smilie:....I'm not happy.....................and if I make this ......guess who is not going to get one :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:Mikeguyver

 

[prmurat]

I was thinking of having it made in nylon... After it broke on my -11. Now I have a -14 and i can see that it should break soon: it still has the same lateral movement.

 

[BaldEagle]

coincidence?

:agree: Keep it off of the bottom stops... it may not help; but it also can't hurt! :thumbup:
And BRP desperately needs to upgrade that center strut; they're just not holding up... :gaah:

Is it me Bob or does that windshield piece look remarkably like a Bajaron Heim Link? Ideas......hmmm:doorag:

 

[Woodsrider]

If everyone that has had a failure made a complaint to NTSB (at least the US folks), you might see a fix from BRP and a recall. It's a safety issue, coming off at 70+ would be 'surprising' to say the least.

 

[bluestratos]

For those out of warranty the bracket can be repaired at home as eluded to above. I fixed a friends and it has held for over a year. It breaks near the middle so the repair is easy and done right you will not notice the repair.

 

[ChicoFowler]

windshield issue

On long trips, especially super-highway, I ride with the windshield all the way up. Some may say this cuts into the gas mileage, but driving 7+ hours, I like to buffet the wind.....just got my 2014 Limited at Spyder Fest and taking a 3000 mile trip in July. Hopefully won't have any issues, but if I do, I'll be sure to post and complain to BRP.

 

[missouriboy]

...hexigonical (?)...

...hexagonal...

You're Welcome. :thumbup:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

EVEN SPELL CHECK DOESN'T ALWAYS HELP

...hexagonal...

You're Welcome. :thumbup:

....THANKS :yes::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes:......Mikeguyver :thumbup:


The correction has been made :2excited::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::clap::bowdown:

 

[Bob Denman]

If everyone that has had a failure made a complaint to NTSB (at least the US folks), you might see a fix from BRP and a recall. It's a safety issue, coming off at 70+ would be 'surprising' to say the least.

Actually; it's more of a very expensive annoyance, than it is a surprise. It seems to take a really decent "jolt", at an inopportune time to finish it off. :yikes:
It then just drops down lower, and leaves you wondering where all of the wind is coming from. :shocked: nojoke

 

[ulflyer]

Can't offer you a fix, but for those who ride with their WS down, glue a rubber piece on the bottom where the middle arm woujld rest in order to absorb some of the shocks like the OP described. Costs nothing and just might save you $600.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

finding the part / s

Can't offer you a fix, but for those who ride with their WS down, glue a rubber piece on the bottom where the middle arm woujld rest in order to absorb some of the shocks like the OP described. Costs nothing and just might save you $600.

Where is everyone coming up with the $ 600 figure.......I went to a parts seller and checked their " FICHE " and they don't list a number or price for the center section.......Mikeguyver :thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

It's the entire mechanism for raising and lowering the windshield... :yikes:
I believe that Dave (And Teddy!), was able to replace his... He had the entire unit apart at one time, when his busted.

 

[Doc - Riverside]

Windshield Assembly

Where is everyone coming up with the $ 600 figure.......I went to a parts seller and checked their " FICHE " and they don't list a number or price for the center section.......Mikeguyver :thumbup:

From section 09 (Body and Console). Item 25 is the assembly, It can only be bought as an assembly which includes item 26 thru 32 as shown in the bottom right hand corner.
Item 25 is $603.99.