Half-Shaft issue thread

[Jonger1150]

Anyone know what a half-shaft replacement costs out of warranty?

I think someone said both dampers are $5000 out of warranty.

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[telero]

Started looking around for issues to potentially bring up as we approach the 60K mile mark. Started listening for potential half-shaft issues after reading a bit here and on Reddit. Somewhere I think someone mentioned listening for the sounds both while moving and by hand manipulating the wheels when jacked up. I took some video of both and wanted to see if what I'm hearing seems normal, or if this is a potential issue. Thanks.

 

[jrmbadger]

Started looking around for issues to potentially bring up as we approach the 60K mile mark. Started listening for potential half-shaft issues after reading a bit here and on Reddit. Somewhere I think someone mentioned listening for the sounds both while moving and by hand manipulating the wheels when jacked up. I took some video of both and wanted to see if what I'm hearing seems normal, or if this is a potential issue. Thanks.

Sounds kinda like it. I had my half-shafts replaced last year and they are starting to click again. Even if you get them replaced, their lifespan is short.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

Started looking around for issues to potentially bring up as we approach the 60K mile mark. Started listening for potential half-shaft issues after reading a bit here and on Reddit. Somewhere I think someone mentioned listening for the sounds both while moving and by hand manipulating the wheels when jacked up. I took some video of both and wanted to see if what I'm hearing seems normal, or if this is a potential issue. Thanks.

This is what bad half shafts sound like within the vehicle.

I've known something was off with the rear half shafts since November, but it wasn't pronounced enough to be easily replicated beyond the occasional knock between regen/accel. Now it's repeatable under normal driving 95% of the time. It was also easily felt under slow starts, where the front would start to pull the vehicle, but the initial hit of rear motor "bite" between halfshaft slop would give you a perceptible jolt.

Currently, all 4 half shafts are being replaced (under warranty).

I asked Rivian Service if the half shafts are still being iterated on in an attempt to reduce or solve the seemingly high failure rate, and they acknowledged the change in the original supplier, they weren't sure if they were changing the interface hardness etc to resolve the issue.

I asked where the most common failure points were, and it seems to be outer ends of the front half shafts where they interface with the hub assembly, and on the rear, it's the interface with the rear motor disconnects. Which is in line with what a field tech had conveyed when I randomly was chatting with them.

 

[SEPA R1T]

I realize YMMV, but does anyone have a sense of, once you start hearing the tocking, how long the half-shafts will last until complete failure? Is it certainty they will fail?

 

[MountainBikeDude]

I realize YMMV, but does anyone have a sense of, once you start hearing the tocking, how long the half-shafts will last until complete failure? Is it certainty they will fail?

From what I've seen here and elsewhere, most have had it addressed prior to any full failure of the of the half shaft.

There was one owner that had a half shaft come out as he was coming up his driveway. Sounded like the world was coming to an end. I've reached out to the owner to see what the final cause was, as they didn't update the thread.


On the wear of a halfshaft, common sense would say that as it starts to knock and wear, the wear would accelerate as more and more play starts to develop to the point of eventual failure. how long is anyones guess.

I have roughly 25,000kms left on my comprehensive warranty, and Canada has nothing in terms of extended warranties that can be applied to a Rivian. My motors are solid, my batteries are reliable, the interior shows no signs of wear... but the suspension and half shafts swaps are starting to concern me more and more

 

[SEPA R1T]

From what I've seen here and elsewhere, most have had it addressed prior to any full failure of the of the half shaft.

There was one owner that had a half shaft come out as he was coming up his driveway. Sounded like the world was coming to an end. I've reached out to the owner to see what the final cause was, as they didn't update the thread.


On the wear of a halfshaft, common sense would say that as it starts to knock and wear, the wear would accelerate as more and more play starts to develop to the point of eventual failure. how long is anyones guess.

I have roughly 25,000kms left on my comprehensive warranty, and Canada has nothing in terms of extended warranties that can be applied to a Rivian. My motors are solid, my batteries are reliable, the interior shows no signs of wear... but the suspension and half shafts swaps are starting to concern me more and more

Thanks for the info! Kinda what I figured, but thought I'd ask. Would appreciate an update if you do hear back from the guy in the video.

 

[jrmbadger]

Is there a ride height setting that is easier on the half shafts?

Does kneel mode cause early failure?

 

[HaveBlue]

Low ride height is least stressful. Launches are hard on them particularly if the steering isn't straight when you do it. The splines get a little knurled allowing movement which causes the back of the CV to squeak or tock against the hub.

A complete failure is unlikely unless you are abusing it off road. The hub bolts can also loose which is not good.

 

[SEPA R1T]

Low ride height is least stressful. Launches are hard on them particularly if the steering isn't straight when you do it. The splines get a little knurled allowing movement which causes the back of the CV to squeak or tock against the hub.

A complete failure is unlikely unless you are abusing it off road. The hub bolts can also loose which is not good.

Great info, thank you!

 

[HaveBlue]

I don't think they are going to switch away from trakmotive shafts. They are probably the only company that makes something that would fit. I think they could go to a better design with a larger spindle nut and rivian could revise their hub/upright with stronger material that doesn't deform.

 

[Marchin_MTB]

This is what bad half shafts sound like within the vehicle.

I've known something was off with the rear half shafts since November, but it wasn't pronounced enough to be easily replicated beyond the occasional knock between regen/accel. Now it's repeatable under normal driving 95% of the time. It was also easily felt under slow starts, where the front would start to pull the vehicle, but the initial hit of rear motor "bite" between halfshaft slop would give you a perceptible jolt.

Currently, all 4 half shafts are being replaced (under warranty).

I asked Rivian Service if the half shafts are still being iterated on in an attempt to reduce or solve the seemingly high failure rate, and they acknowledged the change in the original supplier, they weren't sure if they were changing the interface hardness etc to resolve the issue.

I asked where the most common failure points were, and it seems to be outer ends of the front half shafts where they interface with the hub assembly, and on the rear, it's the interface with the rear motor disconnects. Which is in line with what a field tech had conveyed when I randomly was chatting with them.

This is one of the best descriptions of the half-shaft symptoms and causes I have seen on here. I always struggle to put this into words.

What this can do is make low speed maneuvering very nonlinear/unpredictable. A few days ago it actually caused me to bump my hitch slightly as I was backing to the trailer. I am on my second set of front half shafts. Just had subframe replacement as well.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

This is one of the best descriptions of the half-shaft symptoms and causes I have seen on here. I always struggle to put this into words.

What this can do is make low speed maneuvering very nonlinear/unpredictable. A few days ago it actually caused me to bump my hitch slightly as I was backing to the trailer. I am on my second set of front half shafts. Just had subframe replacement as well.

To your last comment about reversing, 100% It was like threading the needle anytime I was trying to reverse slowly against a wall trying to predict the initial partial movement, followed by the brakes seemingly lagging their release of the rotors, and then the rear motors overcoming the slop in the rear.

Edit- yes i'm being dramatic in my description of what happens within mere moments, but just trying to describe the feel of it.

Since the repair though, the truck is smooth as butter from pedal tip in etc. I just want it to last

 

[TollKeeper]

Taking my 2024 in for 3 half shaft replacements later this month, as well as blown struts, and leaking air suspension, and a few other odds and ends.

 

[DaveA]

Taking my 2024 in for 3 half shaft replacements later this month, as well as blown struts, and leaking air suspension, and a few other odds and ends.

Hoping to fix all my R1 half-shaft slop problems with a replacement R2.

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