Zbros, I'm done doing your R&D

[icr]

I ordered a zbros 36" front end for my 13 pro with exits. After dropping the A arms and my stock spindles off for powder coating it was announced on here by another customer that the stock spindles need to be ground down for clearance. I didn't want to grind and redo the powder on my spindles so I bought Zbros spindles after being reassured they would work without grinding. (I needed a set of stock spindles for another sled anyway).

After my Zbros spindles arrived I tried bolting them on with no luck. The top spindle bolt isn't long enough to get a nut on it with the Zbros spindle. The 13 arms bottom shock mount is a bolt that threads into the A arm, there's no nut. The Zbros arm is a through bolt with nut design.

So now I have an $1800 front end that doesn't work. It's fixed easily enough with a trip to the hardware store but for the asking price I feel Zbros should include the needed hardware changes, or at least notify the customer that additional parts will be needed. So I'm sorry Zbros, we had a good run ($4k+ in the last year) but I'm moving on to a company that doesn't make its customers pay to be on the research team.

comparison shot

 

[ak]

I had good luck going thru Boston racing, it came complete with the proper hardware and bushing for the shocks so they would mount up correctly.

Best of luck to you hopefully they get it right.

 

[adam5187]

Cory at boston racing sent me the pics of where to grind the spindles and answered all the questions I had to make it a smooth install. I am really looking forward to trying them. Also those stock spindles powder coated black look really nice!

 

[R_8_N]

Did ya tell them you ordered the arms for the stock spindle when ya ordered the zbros ones? Im guessing they have a ball joint with longer threads just for that one....either way bummer. Always love getting boxes from them....just got rear shocks today!

 

[skibreeze]

Did ya tell them you ordered the arms for the stock spindle when ya ordered the zbros ones? Im guessing they have a ball joint with longer threads just for that one....either way bummer. Always love getting boxes from them....just got rear shocks today!

That shouldn't matter, since the spindle is different, they should provide the longer hardware with the spindle.

 

[R_8_N]

That shouldn't matter, since the spindle is different, they should provide the longer hardware with the spindle.

Ya you're probably right. Rather than just calling them and telling them to ship the part they forgot to throw in it makes more sence to get on a forum and bash them. Zbroz is one of the most top notch after market products out there.

 

[Ski-Dont89]

ya i was a little pissed when i heard about this too. now i have to take a die grinder to my freshly pow coated spindles...oh well...at least its on the inside of the spindle out of sight...i will just touch it up with a paint marker and it shouldnt be noticable

 

[icr]

Ya you're probably right. Rather than just calling them and telling them to ship the part they forgot to throw in it makes more sence to get on a forum and bash them. Zbroz is one of the most top notch after market products out there.

My dealer called them, the guy who answered blamed it on the fab guy who wasn't there and offered no solutions. If three separate problems with an $1800 front suspension that all keep it from working is your idea of 'top notch' then we'll have to agree to disagree.

 

[B00nd0ck3r4lif]

the guy who answered blamed it on the fab guy who wasn't there and offered no solutions.

When the day comes that I own a business I will tell all my employees that if I ever hear them telling a customer that "the guy in the back screwed it up" I will tell that employee to pack their crap and go find another job.

Customer service is almost a lost art these days. If they would have gone just a little bit out of their way and made it right they would have kept a good customer.

 

[skibreeze]

It's ok to tell them that somebody screwed up, what was missed is him saying, "I will make it right".

 

[Snodawg]

It's ok to tell them that somebody screwed up, what was missed is him saying, "I will make it right".

No, it's OK to say WE screwed up, not Jack in the corner screwed up. Then make it right.

 

[Sleds R Fun]

Z bros

I've also had bad luck with z bros. nitro shocks improperly valved and sprung! They did send new springs no questions asked. However when asked if shocks were valved for sway bar in or removed, no one could answer question. Polaris pro the a arms were different length. They were out so bad the steering would have needed adjustment! The arms were returned without any problems.

 

[FCR112]

Zbroz is one of the most top notch after market products out there.

I would not agree with this statement regarding the early season release on the PRO RMK A arms the last 2 seasons.

IMO It's time the tapdancing ended

 

[B00nd0ck3r4lif]

No, it's OK to say WE screwed up, not Jack in the corner screwed up. Then make it right.

Exactly! Whoever answers the phone at the company shouldn't care who screwed up. You need to own up on behalf of your company and make it right.

Blaming the guy in the back is like going to a restaurant and knowing full well your waitress forgot to put your order in and then she blames it on "the guys in the kitchen" and we all know thats a BS story. Name one person that is satisfied with that excuse!!! I know I sure as hell am not. I want the person to look me in the eye and own the screw up then tell me they are going to do their best to re gain my trust and business.

 

[phatty]

I would not agree with this statement regarding the early season release on the PRO RMK A arms the last 2 seasons.

IMO It's time the tapdancing ended

What tapdancing? There was a problem with the initial arms last year, they admitted it and fixed it and took care of their customers too? How does that not represent a great company? A lesser company would have just said sorry and stuck it to the customers.

We all get recalls and updates on our sleds all the time. there were some clearance issues with the narrow kit on some spindles and zbroz sent out a flyer to help notifiy customers that if you have the clearance issue, this is how you take care of it. But I guess a "top notch" company just says nothing and denies a problem?

 

[Zbroz Racing]

R&D

Lets be clear here so everyone that is pissed off which it sounds like one guy or maybe two can understand.
-First there was a recall on arms and they were replaced or repaired for (Free) thats called warranty, replacement. Explain to me how thats not doing the right thing?
-Second we should all understand that the pro 13 Pro RMK has a bunch of little changes that are causing some small issues. Longer than spec shocks for there 36" kit but still close enough to use. (13s=16.600" Zbroz shocks=16.375") When a longer shock is installed it allows for more droop angle and the spindle hits, They sent out a install update but probably missed some people but to help all those out who didn't get it I will attach the instructions.
-Third the older upper a arm ball joints fit the Zbroz spindle just fine and again small changes are always causing problems. We are just into November of fist year with the 2013 machines it will take some time to figure out every little detail.
-Fourth bench racing is lame. Personal note.

 

[Hawkster]

All he wanted was the parts to be in the box , What was the $$$$ ? and a stupid little part that he might have to turn around and drive to god knows where to get it ? They could of said it'll be in the mail today . Problem solved .

 

[MNIQR]

The hardware should be an additional adder option right at the time of purchase. A lot of people are hours from a dealer for parts they find out they need last minute after receiving the arms and starting the install.

 

[R_8_N]

Sounds like your dealer kinda chit the bed too. Still don't understand why you yourself didn't call them and tell them what you wanted. You would of probably gotten it resolved and together by now. I'm sure you do your own work....I've been reading your posts over 10 years now .....so why would you have your dealer place the order? I understand your frustrations though...

 

[icr]

We are just into November of first year with the 2013 machines it will take some time to figure out every little detail.
-Fourth bench racing is lame. Personal note.

I think every little detail should have been figured out before the product was shipped, hence the title of the thread.