Master Thread: Suspension Sounds - What is and isn't normal?

[jebinc]

Hello all. Hoping to get some thoughts on my G1 2022 R1T suspension noise -

I hear clanking (sounds like a loose shock or linkage) on the driver’s side rear (I think). It is most noticeable when on a washboard road surfaces - even more so when the suspension is set on the firmer settings (not soft), or when passing through certain dips. What would likely be the cause and Rivian response/fix? I still trying to get an appointment as the app shows none available.

Anyone?

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[Schroederhc]

Best guess, damper upgrade & joust lines is where I'd start

 

[jebinc]

Best guess, damper upgrade & joust lines is where I'd start

Thank you. The SC did mention they would check the dampers and the old sheet metal sub frames. To this old guy, it has the sound of a loose shock or trailing link.

 

[WattTruckMatt]

I’m currently chasing down a clunk coming from the rear driver side. Of course it only appears randomly on the horrible roads in my area. I wasn’t able to recreate it at my last service center visit.

The half shaft has very minimal play. I sprayed some silicone lubricant on the various suspension bushings. We’ll see if that helps.

It sounds like a trailing link to me as well, unless something is loose and moving around above the “skid plates” back there. Thought the compressor was moving around before. Now I believe it’s suspension-related.

 

[jebinc]

I’m currently chasing down a clunk coming from the rear driver side. Of course it only appears randomly on the horrible roads in my area. I wasn’t able to recreate it at my last service center visit.

The half shaft has very minimal play. I sprayed some silicone lubricant on the various suspension bushings. We’ll see if that helps.

It sounds like a trailing link to me as well, unless something is loose and moving around above the “skid plates” back there. Thought the compressor was moving around before. Now I believe it’s suspension-related.

Same. Mine is currently at the service center. They did find a loose brake line bracket and retorqued everything. Still troubleshooting, including clucking in the front driver's side that they found.

 

[Jonger1150]

My clunking (Half-shaft) is reduced with colder weather. Mid 40's this morning and I barely heard it.

 

[jmtreetop]

My clunking (Half-shaft) is reduced with colder weather. Mid 40's this morning and I barely heard it.

Mine does the same and comes and goes depending on the day. I’ve noticed it less in the winter time.

 

[MarkoS]

I got my G2 R1S a month ago. For the first 2000 miles, it was all good. But now I do hear clearly some suspension noise, like clicking or like having a bunch of pots in the trunk. It can be heard the most in a cobblestone environment with a driving speed of around 20-30 mph.

My amateur eye found nothing suspicious in the areas around the wheels. It all still looks new and fresh.

 

[jebinc]

I got my G2 R1S a month ago. For the first 2000 miles, it was all good. But now I do hear clearly some suspension noise, like clicking or like having a bunch of pots in the trunk. It can be heard the most in a cobblestone environment with a driving speed of around 20-30 mph.

My amateur eye found nothing suspicious in the areas around the wheels. It all still looks new and fresh.

Probably dampers. Just had mine replaced.

 

[MarkoS]

Probably dampers. Just had mine replaced.

On a Gen2 vehicle?

 

[Jonger1150]

I got my G2 R1S a month ago. For the first 2000 miles, it was all good. But now I do hear clearly some suspension noise, like clicking or like having a bunch of pots in the trunk. It can be heard the most in a cobblestone environment with a driving speed of around 20-30 mph.

My amateur eye found nothing suspicious in the areas around the wheels. It all still looks new and fresh.

There are three noises.

Dampers - Clunking (pots and pans)-Fixable (plead with service center)

Half-Shafts (cobblestone tapping) Not Fixable (no solution)

Jounce Lines (chirps) Fixable (Ask SC)

 

[MarkoS]

There are three noises.

Dampers - Clunking (pots and pans) <------ ---------- Fixable (plead with service center)
Half-Shafts (cobblestone tapping) <---------------- Not Fixable (no solution)
Jounce Lines (chirps) <--------------------------Fixable (Ask SC)

Thank you!

Is this so common in cars so new? Not even 5k miles.

can it be a software thing as it seems less noisy in soft setting

 

[Jonger1150]

Thank you!

Is this so common in cars so new? Not even 5k miles.

can it be a software thing as it seems less noisy in soft setting

Part replacement. The jounce lines and dampers have a new part to replace those. The half-shaft has no solution or fix. Talk to the service center. But..... all the vehicles make those noises, so they're not always jumping up and down to do it.

 

[MarkoS]

Part replacement. The jounce lines and dampers have a new part to replace those. The half-shaft has no solution or fix. Talk to the service center. But..... all the vehicles make those noises, so they're not always jumping up and down to do it.

What happens if they do nothing? I mean besides the noise, will it create a safety hazard?
With time would it get worse?

 

[danen1973]

Every week there are new posts about someone hearing noises from their suspension and/or front-end. I wanted to create a master thread to organize this so we can compare notes and help each other. I know some of those sounds are normal and some abnormal, so hopefully we can figure out which is which.

What noises are normal?

• Air suspension - some air noise when raising and lowering vehicle
• Hydraulic roll control - fluid moving through the system
• Dampers - compression makes a thump sound
• Friction brakes - creaking noise as the brakes compress/release
• Jounce - thump, hiss sound as suspension travels/compress
• Air compressor - motor and air hissing noise
• HVAC - motor whines, vibrates floor, seat, steering wheel (Gen1)

What noises are NOT normal?

• Half-shaft
  • rattle, creak sounds
  • fix: replace half-shaft
• Subframe
  • thunk, clunk, creak sounds
  • fix: typically fixed by replacing older welded subframes with cast ones
• Hubs
  • creak, clunk, thunk sounds
  • fix: typically fixed by replacing hubs
• Dampers
  • clunk, thunk sounds
    fix: typically fixed by replacing dampers
• Jounce
  • squeak, chirp sounds
  • fix: replace jounce assembly as they can get over extended and wear over time
• Bolts/Washers in the front end
  • creak, tick sounds
  • fix: torque to specs, replace washers
• Drive unit
  • creak, grind, rattle sounds
  • fix: typical fix is to replace the drive unit
• CV Boot/Joint
  • click, creak sounds
  • fix: typically fixed by replacing/repairing cv boot or replacing entire joint

This list is not exhaustive. What am I missing?

My truck is a 2023 QM Gen1 and it sounds terrible. It has 6k miles and it has been doing this from day one. SC looked at it 2 times and they said it it normal.
See/hear the attached. Using headphones helps hearing it better.
It's

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