Swing Arm Link to Air Suspension not connected!

[budvoss]

I have a couple hundred miles on new 22 RT, a couple of times the air suspension caution has come on. So I read the manual and checked the air pressure - it was 0 psi. So I pumped in 50 psi and the next day the same thing happened. No pressure. I found the air valve leaking, so I repaired it and now it holds pressure.

After riding again, this time with wife, the light came on again. This time air pressure was good. What could be causing this?

Edit: I read some reply posts and did some checking of the shock, and I saw the short link that went to the rear swing arm and up to the valve was disconnected at the swing arm. Here is a picture. Hopefully, after I fix this, it may stop the suspension light on the dash from coming on after riding a couple of miles. You can see the link in upper left corner. Maybe some one with more knowledge can tell me if I'm on the right track?
Thanks all

 

[trikermutha]

Check your swing arm switch. Make sure the dealer has that hooked up.

 

[budvoss]

Check your swing arm switch. Make sure the dealer has that hooked up.

Thanks, I will check that. Glad you reset my memory to the swing arm... I will edit my post.

Thank you

 

[Peter Aawen]

You are definitely on the right track! hyea:

That link is to connect the swing arm to the height sensor, and many dealer/techs forget to hook that up when they assemble the Spyders during pre-delivery; but without that connected, your automatic suspension (ACS) isn't ever going to work properly!! :banghead:

Now that you've hooked it up, you at least stand a chance that the ACS will work, before, you had absofreakinlutey NO Chance that it'd ever work properly! :lecturef_smilie:

 

[budvoss]

You are definitely on the right track! hyea:

That link is to connect the swing arm to the height sensor, and many dealer/techs forget to hook that up when they assemble the Spyders during pre-delivery; but without that connected, your automatic suspension (ACS) isn't ever going to work properly!! :banghead:

Now that you've hooked it up, you at least stand a chance that the ACS will work, before, you had absofreakinlutey NO Chance that it'd ever work properly! :lecturef_smilie:

Thank you very much

 

[Peteoz]

You are definitely on the right track! hyea:

That link is to connect the swing arm to the height sensor, and many dealer/techs forget to hook that up when they assemble the Spyders during pre-delivery; but without that connected, your automatic suspension (ACS) isn't ever going to work properly!! :banghead:

Now that you've hooked it up, you at least stand a chance that the ACS will work, before, you had absofreakinlutey NO Chance that it'd ever work properly! :lecturef_smilie:

I am amazed at the number of times that this particular issue is raised, Peter. I can’t imagine the connection is done at the factory due to its inconsistency, so you have to assume that some dealers really don’t take much care during their onsite assembly. Mind you, I don’t think that would come as a surprise to members.

Pete.

 

[jtoro1]

That connection is part of the setup, so I'd say that's incompetence by the person putting it together! That has happened many times. Can you imagine - you paid good money for that setup!

 

[PMK]

Budvoss, the new style Spyders are shipped from Canada with some of the rear suspension fasteners removed allowing a better fit in the shipping crate.

When shipped, the lower shock bolt, as shown in your photo will not be installed. The follow up link that you found missing the bolt is also not installed for shipping.

Unfortunately, some dealers have failed to correctly assemble Spyders for delivery. This in the case of rear suspension, has seen lower shock bolts where the nut was not tightened and the bolt backed out, others did not have the crush spacer installed, which prevents correct tightening of the shock bolt AND the structural support for the shock bolt.

The bolt you did find missing, does control the rear suspension air ride. It is also an item the dealer was expected to correctly install and tighten prior to delivery.

 

[Mikey]

Just for kicks, while you're on the floor putting a bolt in that connection, I would check that shock bolt that PMK's talking about!!! And check the lug nuts and back axle nut, they are all part of the assembly parts, what else did they forget to tighten!!! Good Luck!!

 

[PMK]

Just for kicks, while you're on the floor putting a bolt in that connection, I would check that shock bolt that PMK's talking about!!! And check the lug nuts and back axle nut, they are all part of the assembly parts, what else did they forget to tighten!!! Good Luck!!

While I agree, it would be best to verify the lower shock bolt and applicable spacers, crush sleeve, washers and nut are assembled correctly, not everyone has the means or desire to jack up their new Spyder and verify it was done properly.

The other guy that posted here that had the followup link not connected, pretty sure his lower shock bolt partially fell out. Fortunately he was not riding it at the time. It was inside his enclosed trailer being taken on a vacation.

 

[budvoss]

Fixed up the disconnected link and checked as much as I could while on the lift. Went out on a 50 mile ride and no check light for suspension.

Thanks for all the help guys.

 

[FrogmanDave]

Fixed up the disconnected link and checked as much as I could while on the lift.

I'm sure Peter will chime in here, but if I recall correctly your Spyder needs to be hooked up to BUDS now to have the ride height properly calibrated after installation of the link.

 

[DGoebel]

And if all that wasn't done properly on initial setup, is the headlight aim set correctly. Just got back from my first real late night ride and had waaay too many folks flash their brights at me. Went through the Maintenance manual headlight aiming and on low beam they were about a foot high at the 10m mark. I probably really Pi***ed off the folks I was following.

 

[Peteoz]

I'm sure Peter will chime in here, but if I recall correctly your Spyder needs to be hooked up to BUDS now to have the ride height properly calibrated after installation of the link.

I’m not sure that is required on the 20+ RT models, Dave and David G. I get on the RT and the bag adjusts… my wife then gets on and the bag adjusts again. The headlights remain in the correct height position against the far wall as recommended in the workshop manual, and my ‘21 RT was definitely not calibrated to my weight at purchase. Perhaps the 20+ with its LED lighting has an inbuilt headlight leveller of some kind - of course, I do NOT know that for a fact?! :dontknow:

Pete

 

[DGoebel]

PeteAus () my ''18 also has the automated ACS and does a bit of adjusting when my wife get's on or off, but somehow my '18's headlights were aimed so high, I couldn't see the flat low beam cut off line on the road at night, it seemed like when I put my high beams on the view down the road didn't change (the lighting appeared the same). After several turns down using the manual's aiming measurements, we took it out tonight and now it has properly aimed lights. Are the '20+ lights not adjustable by the bright brass adjusters under the side covers? I've never seen a 20+ headlight removal, but I assume they must have some adjusters somewhere?

 

[FrogmanDave]

I’m not sure that is required on the 20+ RT models, Dave and David G. I get on the RT and the bag adjusts…..my wife then gets on and the bag adjusts again. The headlights remain in the correct height position against the far wall as recommended in the workshop manual, and my ‘21 RT was definitely not calibrated to my weight at purchase. Perhaps the 20+ with its LED lighting has an inbuilt headlight leveller of some kind…….of course, I do NOT know that for a fact:dontknow:

Pete

Yes but it needs to be calibrated to begin with. With no weight on it, etc. The system needs to know where to start to keep it level.

 

[Peteoz]

Yes but it needs to be calibrated to begin with. With no weight on it, etc. The system needs to know where to start to keep it level.

Ahhhhhh. Gotcha, Dave :thumbup: . My arm was connected when I received my RT, so I would have to assume they calibrated it at the same time.:thumbup:

Pete

 

[budvoss]

Yes but it needs to be calibrated to begin with. With no weight on it, etc. The system needs to know where to start to keep it level.

Heck, I don't dare take it back to the dealer I bought it from. The fella that put my ride together said it was his first time to build one. I about spit out my drink when he told me that! Turns out they fired their two long time mechanics and they did not tell me why. I'm getting so I can't trust any shop anymore. Heck, I have a '21 F250 diesel, and I always have the dealer do the oil change. Had to make a quick trip and dealer did not have time to get the oil changed, so I ended up doing it myself. I drained 26 quarts out of an engine that only holds 13! I have to say I was shocked and pissed at same time... I talked with the service manger at Ford and got the same ol' runaround that I was expecting. No more dealer oil changes for me!

 

[Dusterdude]

Can someone tell me what the fastener size is for the lower link? Mine isn't attached either.

 

[Snoking1127]

Can someone tell me what the fastener size is for the lower link? Mine isn't attached either.

Hex. Flange Screw M6 X 20, Scotch Grip
P/N 207562034 $1.99

https://www.partspitstoponline.com/oemparts/a/cam/60229b4d87a86610e0b194e7/suspension-rear-shocks