Howdy all, I thought I would try to start a thread on Official and un-official problems to help inform others that have not heard about them yet.

This is what I have found out from my dealer:
Rear axle hub nut may come lose and may result in the destruction of the rear axle bearings.
Rear brake line may be routed too close to the exhaust and cause a burn through.
Carb may experience "icing" in cold weather.

Stuff I have heard from the ATV BBS:
Problems with the front ball joints.
Front brake grommet coming lose, or breaking?

These problems are supposedly only on DS's built in 1999. Mine was built in '99, but I don't seem to have any of these problems.

Has anyone had any of these problems or other problems?

I am going to put blue Lock-Tight on the little nut that holds the axle hub. The front ball joints are a common item available at part stores and are supposed to be very tough units according to my automotive mechanic friend. I have not seen any problems with the front brakes and my rear brake line was properly routed.

I guess the case is like any bike, ATV or other vehicle, even when new, inspect it for potential problems. When new, inspect it before, during and after every ride for the first few rides. After break in, pre-ride inspections are always suggested.

I have sent a request for more information on all of these problems from Bombardier about a week ago, but as yet, I haven't received a reply.

Does anyone have a direct e-mail address for Bombardier? I had to submit the request through a web browser form.

Thanks,
CRT_Leech

 

Sorry you had problems with your bike. Most DS owners have been through this. There is a page for problems on our web site. Click on Mods then known problems.

New DS Riders: Read through all of the old posts here, and check out the web sites! You will find potential problems listed.

 

Well, I had my rear axle hub come lose on me this weekend, which spoiled the days ride. I was talking to some people about the bike, which happens a lot, and he asked if he could sit on it. I said sure and I told him to hop up and down, bounce side to side to see how the suspension was. When he did this I noticed a clunking sound. I had him do it again while I looked for the problem. Knowing about the potential problems I immediately checked the axle hub retainer. Sure enough, the whole trailing arm had about a third of an inch or side to side movement. Luckily, I had checked for slop before riding and there wasn't anything noticeable. I had only ridden for about a half an hour, so hopefully no damage was done. One of the other riders there was an ex racer for the dealer that I bought it at. He called them with his cell phone and asked his friends in the service department. They didn't really know what was wrong and wanted me to bring it in.

I got it home and was looking at it yesterday. Turns out, the axle hub retainer, turns counterclockwise and moves away from the carrier to tighten it! You can remove the nut and bolt, slide a phillips head screwdriver in the bolt hole and use that to tighten the retainer. Then you put the nut and bolt back and tighten them up.

Yea, I have been to the sight and read about the problems, but I haven't really seen any answers. Also, some of the descriptions are vague:

Where is this brake grommet located?
What are the specific problems with the front ball joints?

What are the fixes to these problems?

Thanks for any help,
CRT_Leech