| Author | Message | ||
     Loucksgl |
Just stripped out the drain bolt on my 08 Uly tonight thanks to a torque spec listed in the riders manual of 26 - 29 ft lbs or 35 - 39 Nm. Page 82 Para #7. Don't do it! Dropped bike at dealer this morning and called Buell Cust Service. They are replacing the swing arm. Said this isn't new. Great, great service from Buell. I can't Believe it.!! (Message edited by loucksgl on September 12, 2007) | ||
| Jb2607 |
Have they recommended a new torque spec if this situation is known to them (Buell service)? | ||
| Loucksgl |
Jb2607 No. When I told them that the torque specs were incorrect in their manuals the tech wasn't excited. He said "I thought they straightened that out last year." I gave him the page number and para number. He looked at it and went "Yep, OK. We're authorizing you a new swing arm". End of story. Seems the techs at the dealership kknew about it too. I think everyone works within their own "box" and things fall thru the cracks. | ||
| Marks3tbillet |
Gary: Thanks for posting this. I just did my first oil change and didn't use the torque in the manual because of your post. I always torque by the book too. Mark | ||
| Luvz2ride |
Same thing just happened to me (stripped oil drain on swingarm). 07 CityX with ~ 1000 miles. Followed my $65 manual step-by-step. Already getting the run-around from the dealer service department ("You did it, your problem"). Service manager is out. Going to call Buell when I find the number. Can you tell me who you spoke to at Buell so I can avoid as much run-around as possible? Anybody else experience this? | ||
| Blake |
Call customer service at (414) 343-8400. | ||
| Loucksgl |
Luvz2ride -- Oh man; I haven't been over here on this page in ages. Sorry to hear about the drain plug strip. The errant torque info in the manuals is insidious to those who follow the written word. I'd use 16 foot pounds. Thats Harley and BMW torques on drain plugs. I think Ducati also. The Buell folks are great and I don't think anyone will have a problem getting drain plug issues handled. Handled my issue "RIGHT NOW" and dealer was great too. It appears to be a well known issue. Amazing the incorrect torque info still exists. Dealers have not received any owner manual "inserts" to direct concern toward the misprinted torque values. I know I questioned the higher torque in my own mind; but I figured I'm not going to claim I know more than the engineer. So strip it I did. ARGGGGG! | ||
| Loucksgl |
Just a note: The Transmission drain plug torque is incorrect also. Careful! | ||
| Gorillastrippitts |
I just bought xb12x 2008. Tomorrow will be my first ride (1st day over 45 F), and I am going to change the oil between 100 and 200 miles. My question is, does the service manual have the correct torques? I have not bought a service manual yet. --- thanks. | ||
| Loucksgl |
Gorillastrippitts Hey man. Just torque it to 16 to 18 ft pounds and you'll be fine. Don't use the Buell Service or Riders manual for torques. | ||
| Trapper |
I wish I had read this sooner! I have a 2006 XB12X and was using the 2006 Buell Service Manual that I bought at the dealer, to properly change my oil. On page 1-14 it says: ...2. Apply Loctite 565 Thread Sealant, install plug and tighten to 29-34 ft-lbs (40-46 Nm). I attempted to do that and prior to my torque wrench clicking it started to get tight and just turned and turned and turned then got real easy to turn....SHIT!!!! From what I read here I guess I should call Buell Customer Service? | ||
| Cheddarheads4erik |
Yup, there's the phone # Blake posted in another thread... | ||
| Blake |
Call customer service at (414) 343-8400. | ||
| Odinbueller |
Any fine thread fastener or drain plug going into aluminum should not be torqued past 18 ft. lbs. Just from my own experience. Chris | ||
| Road_kill |
Yep, me to! 2008 ULY at my 5k mile oil change. I wish I read this thread first. I thought the torque values in the manual were a bit high so I set my torque wrench to 20 ft-lbs. Stripped it clean. We'll see what the dealer says tomorrow. Ugh! I still love my ULY - just a bad day. Road Kill | ||
| Alchemy |
It is not inspiring that this problem which existed from day one on the 2006 Uly is still biting 2008 Uly owners. Maybe the factory should add a caution sticker or apply a sticker to the owner's manual to alert the owners to this potential problem. Or include an errata sheet with new owner documents. Two years is sufficient time to get a good resolution developed for current production products. | ||
| Road_kill |
I told the dealer my stripped drain plug story and is genuinely interested in helping anyway he can. He will seek authorization to get a new swingarm in-house and schedule the repair to best fit my schedule with the quickest turnaround - while I wait!?! Says if everything is ready, 2-3 hours. Generally, this dealer seems keen on insuring the Buell experience is positive. There have been a few trying moments like this one and I've only had the bike 4 months (4800 miles). 1. tank emblems blistered (0 miles). 2. luggage latch broke (150 miles) 3. clutch cable hanger broke, melted clutch cable (1800 miles). 4. poor fuel mileage so reset AFV (at 2100 miles) result +5mpg. 5. stripped oil drain plug (4800 miles) And I still absolutely love this bike!! Just thought I'd pass along a "so far so good" dealer story since I've seen a few postings that highlight THE DARK SIDE. Road Kill | ||
| Alchemy |
Road kill, That is really good dealer support by my experience. While you wait is great stuff! | ||
| Road_kill |
A follow-up on my stripped out oil drain plug. I just got my bike fixed at the dealer this Saturday. We scheduled an appointment for 9am Saturday. They were prepared, courteous, and friendly. They replaced the swingarm, oil filter and filled with oil in 2.5 hours - just as they estimated. All under warranty - free of charge. I am now back on the road and I am very pleased with the service. I can only hope others have this good of Buell experience in the future. Road Kill | ||
| Frostymug |
Road_Kill, Have you had any problems such as leaks from where the oil lines connect to the arm. Did the Buell rep or dealer give you a torque setting to use in the future? Got any advise for a guy in the same situation? | ||
| Crazyoldman |
Hey Roadkill, I just got off the phone with customer service,they said they wouldn't cover the stripped oil drain plug issue. The Tech there said since I worked on the bike instead of the Dealership it's not covered, what a crock. | ||
| Crazyoldman |
I just wanted to say the dealership sounds like they will not honor the warranty. My bike only has 942 miles on it. It's a 2007 xb12r. | ||
| Frostymug |
Hey Crazyoldman, do you have the name of the customer service rep you spoke with? I'm in the same situation as you and got the same explanation from Chris at Buell customer service, I wrote about my experience here> http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/384 2/305911.html?1220408982 (Message edited by frostymug on September 08, 2008) | ||
| Court |
>>>After 15 minutes of him belittling me and basically beating me up over the phone his final words were "You caused the problem, then it's your problem not Buell's." He also refused to let me speak to his Manager. That's a tough pill to swallow. How did he belittle you? Why did you tolerate that for 15 minutes? Why, if you broke it, should Buell pay to fix it? Do you have a case number or date/time you called? I'm really open minded and want to hear your thoughts. Court | ||
| Frostymug |
How did he belittle you? Here is a sample: “If I did what you did I wouldn’t have even called” I took that to mean that I’m not competent enough to change the oil or use a torque wrench. Why did you tolerate that for 15 minutes? I was trying to save $400 + Why, if you broke it, should Buell pay to fix it? That’s exactly what he said. Do you work for Buell customer service? The torque wrench was set on 1 lb over the minimum (27 FT lbs) printed in the owners manual. I believe the threads were damaged at the factory, but of course I can’t prove it. Do you have a case number or date/time you called? Yes. (Message edited by frostymug on September 08, 2008) | ||
| Crazyoldman |
hey frostymug, my drain plug stripped at 22ft.lbs. i spoke with matt and susie, matt didn't say much, when i called back i got susie and she asked the tech and he told her you broke it you fix it. | ||
| Crazyoldman |
I think my next call is to the Attorney General!!! | ||
| Crazyoldman |
Hey Court, my case number is 902129. The phone number I called is 414.343.8400 | ||
| Court |
Do you work for Buell customer service? No, but I'm bright, have tons of common sense and a lot of experience. I think your position has merit, but to learn that I need to ask questions. It's kind of the opposite of what folks call "jumping to conclusions". A perfect example would be something like that Attorney General comment. I've had more success in my life than I'd have ever imagined by being honest, asking questions listening closely and acting like an adult. I don't always prevail but I'd put my record up against anyone's. Drop me a note with all your contact information, let's see what we can do. Court | ||
| Crazyoldman |
Court, Why should I keep getting the run around. They are flat out telling me it's my fault. Customer service will not authorize the repair. The Attorney General is just one of the resources I have to get the repair authorized. If I had not been following the owners manual torque specs it would have never happened. It says 29-34ft.lbs. it stripped at 22. |
