Stuttering while accelerating and clicking noise on road trip.

[Mantou]

Clicking noise while steering wheel is fully turned is getting checked in two weeks.

Currently on a road trip and yesterday noticed the car stuttering while accelerating. Thought it was a pavement issue. But today while driving it became more pronounced and lasted about a second.

Don't see any errors or warnings but this is worrying. Whether it is a safety issue or getting stranded 700+ miles from home.

Anyone experience similar and what was the issue once serviced? I've already submitted a new ticket to Rivian and waiting for a response.

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[Dave Cundiff]

@Mantou, you might get more replies if you defined "stuttering" and gave more context.

Is "stuttering" a noise, or a characteristic of acceleration? What were the circumstances when you first noticed it? Does it happen predictably (if so, what seem to be the factors?) or unpredictably?

I'm not likely to be the one who helps you, but the folks who know these phenomena will likely want more to go on....

Very best wishes!

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

Is it like a power surging in the motors? Is it present both with acceleration and Regen?

 

[VSG]

Sounds like bad spark plugs. Better get that fixed.

 

[Mantou]

It felt like the tires couldn't grip the road or were skipping. Then had it last for about 2 seconds accelerating from a red light.

Anyway never experienced it again on the 700 mile back home. Told service the dates and they'll check the logs.

I wonder if it had anything to do with going 70-90 mph from Phoenix to Los Angeles in 80-100 degree weather. Not that it should?

The clicking noise remains.

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

shouldn't have anything to do with driving fast. I can tell you that when you accelerate hard you will feel a slipping feeling which is normal. That is traction control limiting power to prevent wheel spin. Its very aggressive when stability control is fully on and will not allow any wheel spin. Reduced allows some wheel spin.

Could the clicking noise be the air suspension?

 

[Mantou]

Rivian service checked it out today and when I dropped off said it's usually three possible minor issues they could fix by the end of day.

Well end of day came and they don't know what it is. Suggested I leave it there for a few days for them to troubleshoot.

I've been searching on YouTube for similar sounds with the wheel fully turned and some say it could be the drive shaft, a loose stabilizer link, etc. Rivian assured me they check the CV joints as per their guide.

The stuttering/wheel slip hasn't happened since the one day on my trip sim clueless what it could be.

Will update once I know more.

 

[atebit]

it's usually three possible minor issues

Ah! Ah! Ah!

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

It sounds like something is binding. One good way to text the axle/half shafts is to drive in circles with the wheel turned all the way and also do this in reverse.

Do this in a safe place such as an empty parking lot. This puts maximum stress on the inner/outer CV joints. If your hearing a lot of noises when your doing this you have one or more bad half shafts. The Rivian does not have sway/stabilizer bars because it has kinetic roll control.

Sway bar links will usually present as clunking over bumps. Very noticable over speed bumps. Even though Rivian doesn't have sway bar I suppose it wouldn't hurt for them to check everything is torqued to spec on your front end.

 

[Mantou]

I'm dropping the car off on Wednesday and the service center manager reached out to me to ask what he could do to make the experience better. I said I'd take a Rivian loaner or Uber credit but didn't want a rent-a-car. I asked to drive a R1T as a loaner while they keep my R1S to diagnose and troubleshoot the issue and he promised me that could be arranged.

I also mentioned asking these forums, reddit, and YouTube videos to try to figure out what the issue could be. He said they'll thoroughly check and let me know what they find. I'm curious what they'll ultimately come up with.

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

Please come back and let us know what happens

 

[Mantou]

Turns out it is the CV joint making the clicking noises. They just received the replacements and are installing them. Then sending the old one back to Rivian to troubleshoot.

There is no leak or damage to the boot or assembly.

This is what I initially thought it was based on YouTube videos of the clicking while wheel is fully turned. I'm glad the wheel didn't pop off on my 2000 mile road trip last month, because it seriously concerned me being stranded two states away.

 

[Wilsonos]

CV joint won’t make a wheel fall off so you’re safe.

 

[Mantou]

Well they replaced the CV joints in the front and the clicking is still there. I suggested it might be in the back? They're keeping the vehicle to troubleshoot more. Thank god I have this R1T loaner. It's a good replacement in the meantime so I'm in no rush to get my car back. I want Rivan to fix for my sake as well as knowing what the issue is if anyone else experiences it.

I'd also be open to a replacement 2025 R1S though.

 

[Mantou]

Wanted to update this thread.

Rivian kept my car a total of three weeks to troubleshoot and provided an R1T loaner I wanted. I like the truck but realized I like the R1S much more.

They replaced the CV joints in front within the first week but the clicking continued. Then they kept it another week to troubleshoot.

It was finally resolved after replacing the control arms on the front wheels.

I found six bolts in my frunk during pickup that I handed over to the service agent. After getting home I looked under the vehicle and thought they were not screwed in.

Talked to service and they send a mobile tech the next day who said they'd be back the following day with the correct bolts.

The next day a different service tech arrived and told me the holes on the wheel capsules were for alignment purposes and not missing screws. But then realized the bolts were missing from the frunk then proceeded to screw six new bolts in.

All in all it worked out even if there was some confusion. ?

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