treewhacker
Expert
I was looking at my RX1 yesterday and noticed one of my spindles is bent backwards a little. It is noticeable in my steering also. I haven't hit anything at all, anyone else experience this problem?
Bent Spindle....
- Thread starter treewhacker
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hauler
Veteran
Ive bent two, but one was my fault, oppps. The other was just aggressive riding.......
treewhacker
Expert
What about warranty? I don't think we should have to pay for replacing spindles when they're not abused. Does anyone agree with me on this?
Pinball Wizzard
Pro
Bent spindle
You may think that you didn't hit any thing, it does not take much of a collision to bend spindles when you consider the amount of moving mass that an rx1 has. I have bent the same spindle twice, once when I bumped over the top of a rock and when I bumped a log uder the snow. Didn't hardly even feel either one, but it bent the spindle , rolled a-arms down and bent the bolts holding spindle to a-arms the first time, had to staighten the parts (back ordered). I'm sure the were weaker the second time and had to straighten again. These are probably the weak link in the front end but doesn't s somthing have to be :?: :roll:
You may think that you didn't hit any thing, it does not take much of a collision to bend spindles when you consider the amount of moving mass that an rx1 has. I have bent the same spindle twice, once when I bumped over the top of a rock and when I bumped a log uder the snow. Didn't hardly even feel either one, but it bent the spindle , rolled a-arms down and bent the bolts holding spindle to a-arms the first time, had to staighten the parts (back ordered). I'm sure the were weaker the second time and had to straighten again. These are probably the weak link in the front end but doesn't s somthing have to be :?: :roll:
RobX-1
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What exactly is the spindle? I thought it was the end of the sway bar that was inserted into the sway bar links but after reading this thread, I think it might be something else.
treewhacker
Expert
The spindle is the hardened steel shaft that connects your ski's to your steering. They turn your ski's. They are inside the aluminum outer housing running down to the ski's, your A-Arms are connected to them.
I still say I haven't abused them and they shouldn't have bent. If you buy a pickup, go out on a four wheel drive road and bend the front end under normal use where your wheels are out of allignment, would you foot the bill? No....Warranty better cover it. I say if you can't hit moguls on a trail without bending the spindles, Yamaha should fix it.
I still say I haven't abused them and they shouldn't have bent. If you buy a pickup, go out on a four wheel drive road and bend the front end under normal use where your wheels are out of allignment, would you foot the bill? No....Warranty better cover it. I say if you can't hit moguls on a trail without bending the spindles, Yamaha should fix it.
LazyBastard
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If they were hardened, they would snap instead of bend. Gotta remember that its better to have a weak point far out there instead of the force pulling right through and ultimately cracking your bulkhead.
I've noticed a couple of shorties around here with the
A-arms cracking around the bushings where they are
welded. Dealers know about this but nothing has been
done by Yamaha Canada to rectify or warranty :?: :?:
TB
A-arms cracking around the bushings where they are
welded. Dealers know about this but nothing has been
done by Yamaha Canada to rectify or warranty :?: :?:
TB
treewhacker
Expert
I still say NOTHING should bend unless you crash into something. If it does, Yamaha should fix it. It would be different if I actually hit something, but we shouldn't be afraid to run fast through the bumps for fear of bending spindles. Everyone I have talked to about it agrees. That's my opinion. Other than that and the oil puking out when tipped on left side, I love this machine.
Gilbey
Expert
I don't think he re-registered, but Chris Berry had the same issue. Nothing done that should have screwed anything up, but bent the spindle. Yammie's response to it all was that it was made to bend prior to the bulkhead cracking....same thing that LB stated. I believe that Yammie did not cover this, however, I believe that his insurance picked it up. If I remember correctly, it wasn't the cheapest fix out there, but I would be more concerned about getting the parts on order, I know it was back ordered for some time.
Frostbite
TY 4 Stroke God
I have waited to chime in on this until after everyone else put in their two cents. Yes, I agree with you Treewhacker. I have personally straightened my spindles three times this winter. It' seems like the slightest bump can bends these bugers. The spindles are the main reason I am thinking seriously about buying the extended warranty. I think Yamaha should address the problem but I doubt they will. If they make the spindle harder then the bulheads will crack even more easily. There has to be a well thought out fix to this problem.
I think part of it is different mounting position for the lower A arms. Connecting much lower on the spindle closer to the ski mounts. Look at the A/C spindles. They have been building these things for years and their lower mount for the A arms is very low and the thickness of the spindle is continuous top to bottom.
I believe Yamaha picked a very, very poor component with the spindle to try to save some weight. The diameter at the top of the spindle is much thicker than bottom where they are bending. Keep one diameter throughout the length of the casting and the point at which these things are bending is eliminated. Also, the composition of the material used in the spindle is much softer than it needs to be. If I can bend them back with my tiny bench mounted arbor press, then think about how easily a machine which weights 700 lbs. add a 200 lb. rider and any speed and the amount of momentum and ft. lbs. of energy exerted on these spindles can be incredible. Even a sharp edged bump in the trail can bend them. Come on Yamaha. Face this issue head on and make us all proud. They faced the carb. float bowl problem and I'd say less than 5% of riders experienced it. How about facing a problem experienced by a much wider variety of folks (and give me a rear heat exchanger too it is Easter). Powder Blue
I think part of it is different mounting position for the lower A arms. Connecting much lower on the spindle closer to the ski mounts. Look at the A/C spindles. They have been building these things for years and their lower mount for the A arms is very low and the thickness of the spindle is continuous top to bottom.
I believe Yamaha picked a very, very poor component with the spindle to try to save some weight. The diameter at the top of the spindle is much thicker than bottom where they are bending. Keep one diameter throughout the length of the casting and the point at which these things are bending is eliminated. Also, the composition of the material used in the spindle is much softer than it needs to be. If I can bend them back with my tiny bench mounted arbor press, then think about how easily a machine which weights 700 lbs. add a 200 lb. rider and any speed and the amount of momentum and ft. lbs. of energy exerted on these spindles can be incredible. Even a sharp edged bump in the trail can bend them. Come on Yamaha. Face this issue head on and make us all proud. They faced the carb. float bowl problem and I'd say less than 5% of riders experienced it. How about facing a problem experienced by a much wider variety of folks (and give me a rear heat exchanger too it is Easter). Powder Blue
I know how you feel about flying down the trail and then you bump something and right away start think about if you bent the spindle. I have tap the skis a couple of times but I do not think thay are bent. Will have a closer look at them when I put the RX-1 to bed in a couple of weeks. I agree that it should be looked at if it does not take very much to bend. I also think that treewhacker should change his name if he is going to complain to Yamaha 
. Maybe treelover? :lol:
. Maybe treelover? :lol:
treewhacker
Expert
Good post Powderblue. Thanks for backing me on it. If enough of us make an issue of it to our dealers and Yamaha, they might do something. I'm sure they wouldn't want any bad advertising going around, but you know what, a lot of Yamaha customers read this stuff we're posting here and the complaints about the spindles could hurt them. I'm not out to hurt Yamaha, I just want them to do what's right. You shouldn't have to buy the extended warranty to fix a forseen problem, or one that you are already having. That's rediculous. Come on YAMAHA, do the right thing and fix these flimsy spindles before word spreads further about them.
treewhacker will the extened warranty cover the spindles for the length of the warranty. Have not looked at the details of extened warranty because I always thought of it as another money grab. Always felt that Yamaha has built a pretty good sled and the extended warranty would be a waste of money but if they will cover every nut and bolt for the extended time then it might be worth the investment. It also depends on how long you will own the sled if the extended warranty is worth it.
Frostbite
TY 4 Stroke God
I have personally called Yamaha three times on this issue alone. Not to bitch but to inform. The first time theyeven suggested I turn in a warranty claim throught my delaer and they would take care of me. Guess what, they did! I got new bolts and a "sterring knuckle"free of charge. I still have bent ones I have straightened on my sled today. Powder Blue
