2023 R1S Quad, solutions for highway speed steering wheel shake (not alignment or tire balance)?

[Smeek]

I brought my R1S in for service last year for this (among other things), and they weren't able to fix it. It really felt like they gaslighted me about this specific issue, essentially saying it was within spec (boston service center). The steering wheel shakes significantly above 60 mph and absurdly at 80 mph. They tried an alignment, which did not fix it (shocker). It's to the point where i do not enjoy getting on the highway with this truck.

The exact problem has also persisted with a different set of wheels/tires (winter set that came mounted and road force balanced from Tire Rack). So i don't think it is as simple as one of the wheels not being properly balanced. And like i said, they already tried an alignment. So i'm trying to see if there are any other solutions out there that you guys have come across.

I have never had this level of steering wheel shaking at highway speeds in other cars. I have two other EVs currently. an Audi e-tron GT and Audi Q8 e-tron. Neither of them have this issue. So it's really obvious when i get back into the Rivian and get on the highway.

I have been out of the loop for the last year with all Rivian related stuff. I'm hoping i've missed something during that time because when i first got the truck i remember reading this was not an uncommon problem.

have other members been successful in getting this fixed?

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[MidnightRivian]

Can you confirm if you have the heavier steering wheel that was part of a campaign in 2023 to help with steering wheel shake?

After the steering wheel replacement, find the best daytime / head technician at Discount Tire and have them road force balance your tires into the teens and you should have a much better experience.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10238719-0001.pdf

Road force balancing is a tire balancing method that simulates the weight of the vehicle on the tire as it rolls down the road, applying up to 1,200 pounds of pressure.

This process helps identify and resolve hidden vibrations caused by imbalances that a standard balance might miss.

While there isn't a single "perfect" road force number, most shops aim for values below 15-20 lbs, with anything over 40 lbs considered unacceptable

You can check out the most recent Discount Tire Promotions plus local install options are available with having access to one of the best balancer on the market.

Discount Tire Current Promotions for Rivian Tires.

Discount tire is trained to work on Rivians and typically most stores have pucks to help lift your vehicle.

You can also schedule an appointment to make it easier to take care of installing your tires or doing tire rotations / balancing using the below link to make appointments.

Discount Tire Create Appointment Link for Install, Maintenance or to purchase Tire Protection Plan

I love Hunter Road Force balancer pretty much available at most discount tires and most bays have now been converted. I remember the days when only 1 or 2 machines were road force balancer. Rivian uses a similar road force balancer to try to get the tires down into the teens for the least amount of steering wheel vibrations / body / seat vibrations. Also make sure if you have done the heavier steering wheel replacement to help cut down on steering wheel shake.

Benefits of Road Force Balancing - Similar balancer Rivian uses.

This post and future posts may contain links to affiliate website, and we may receive a commission for any purchase made by you on the affiliate website. Our affiliates include GoAFFpro, CJ Publishing and Shareasale.

 

[NY_Rob]

People have had front drive assemblies replaced as a last ditch effort, and in many cases that did the trick. If Rivian is unwilling to do that for you, tell them you are requesting a buy-back. It's unacceptable for a $100K vehicle to have irreparable wheel shake at any (street legal) speed.

 

[Smeek]

Can you confirm if you have the heavier steering wheel that was part of a campaign in 2023 to help with steering wheel shake?

After the steering wheel replacement, find the best daytime / head technician at Discount Tire and have them road force balance your tires into the teens and you should have a much better experience.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10238719-0001.pdf

Road force balancing is a tire balancing method that simulates the weight of the vehicle on the tire as it rolls down the road, applying up to 1,200 pounds of pressure.

This process helps identify and resolve hidden vibrations caused by imbalances that a standard balance might miss.

While there isn't a single "perfect" road force number, most shops aim for values below 15-20 lbs, with anything over 40 lbs considered unacceptable

You can check out the most recent Discount Tire Promotions plus local install options are available with having access to one of the best balancer on the market.

Discount Tire Current Promotions for Rivian Tires.

Discount tire is trained to work on Rivians and typically most stores have pucks to help lift your vehicle.

You can also schedule an appointment to make it easier to take care of installing your tires or doing tire rotations / balancing using the below link to make appointments.

Discount Tire Create Appointment Link for Install, Maintenance or to purchase Tire Protection Plan

I love Hunter Road Force balancer pretty much available at most discount tires and most bays have now been converted. I remember the days when only 1 or 2 machines were road force balancer. Rivian uses a similar road force balancer to try to get the tires down into the teens for the least amount of steering wheel vibrations / body / seat vibrations. Also make sure if you have done the heavier steering wheel replacement to help cut down on steering wheel shake.

Benefits of Road Force Balancing - Similar balancer Rivian uses.

thanks for this info. but do you think they really do that much better of a job than tire rack? never had an issue with TR in 15 years.

they did not change the steering wheel. said it was normal. Thank you for posting the TSB. that's great! Is this something Rivian can send a mobile tech to fix?

 

[MidnightRivian]

thanks for this info. but do you think they really do that much better of a job than tire rack? never had an issue with TR in 15 years.

they did not change the steering wheel. said it was normal. Thank you for posting the TSB. that's great! Is this something Rivian can send a mobile tech to fix?

The TSB says mobile but I would double check with Rivian support if that is the case and if your VIN / date / build qualifies.

Here is a good thread on F-150 lightning forums about getting Discount Tire to use the matching capabability when performing road force balancing. Maybe bring this up to a manager at Rivian or Discount Tire and see if they can perform this for you as well.

https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...-t-ev-tires-released.17945/page-6#post-537897

I have found that discount tire is not using their Hunter Road Force balancers properly. The machine is capable of road force MATCHING, but the process is time consuming and the guys don’t like doing it. Road force matching indexes the tire to the wheel and requires the bead to be broken and the tire repositioned on the wheel before final balancing with weights. Basically the spin is done twice, first to index the tire with the wheel, then again to balance the now ideal combo.
Done properly the weight required to balance is little to none. Twice I’ve caught them skipping the matching step and just balancing on the first spin. It’s not right, but nobody is paying attention and calling them out on it. I had to call the manager out and confront him, and he then personally did my tires properly.

The first spin actually gives them a prediction of the improvement indexing the tire to wheel will achieve. And they just skip it. The young guys are not actually trained on full use of the machine.
It’s pathetic. Huge difference when done right.

 

[RivAW]

Can you confirm if you have the heavier steering wheel that was part of a campaign in 2023 to help with steering wheel shake?

After the steering wheel replacement, find the best daytime / head technician at Discount Tire and have them road force balance your tires into the teens and you should have a much better experience.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10238719-0001.pdf

Road force balancing is a tire balancing method that simulates the weight of the vehicle on the tire as it rolls down the road, applying up to 1,200 pounds of pressure.

This process helps identify and resolve hidden vibrations caused by imbalances that a standard balance might miss.

While there isn't a single "perfect" road force number, most shops aim for values below 15-20 lbs, with anything over 40 lbs considered unacceptable

You can check out the most recent Discount Tire Promotions plus local install options are available with having access to one of the best balancer on the market.

Discount Tire Current Promotions for Rivian Tires.

Discount tire is trained to work on Rivians and typically most stores have pucks to help lift your vehicle.

You can also schedule an appointment to make it easier to take care of installing your tires or doing tire rotations / balancing using the below link to make appointments.

Discount Tire Create Appointment Link for Install, Maintenance or to purchase Tire Protection Plan

I love Hunter Road Force balancer pretty much available at most discount tires and most bays have now been converted. I remember the days when only 1 or 2 machines were road force balancer. Rivian uses a similar road force balancer to try to get the tires down into the teens for the least amount of steering wheel vibrations / body / seat vibrations. Also make sure if you have done the heavier steering wheel replacement to help cut down on steering wheel shake.

Benefits of Road Force Balancing - Similar balancer Rivian uses.

This post and future posts may contain links to affiliate website, and we may receive a commission for any purchase made by you on the affiliate website. Our affiliates include GoAFFpro, CJ Publishing and Shareasale.

This!!
And if this doesn't fix it, Op should suggest to Rivian that they are likely within the MA Lemon Law period and will make a claim and force a buy-back if they can't fix it. The Chelsea, MA service center is excellent (IMO). OP should be able to get a tech to come for a quick ride with to demonstrate/witness the steering wheel shake being described at which point it will be difficult for them to brush off and say it's "within spec".....unless in the off chance OP is just being over-sensitive.

 

[Smeek]

This!!
And if this doesn't fix it, Op should suggest to Rivian that they are likely within the MA Lemon Law period and will make a claim and force a buy-back if they can't fix it. The Chelsea, MA service center is excellent (IMO). OP should be able to get a tech to come for a quick ride with to demonstrate/witness the steering wheel shake being described at which point it will be difficult for them to brush off and say it's "within spec".....unless in the off chance OP is just being over-sensitive.

I don't like using my phone while driving but i found a video on reddit of the same issue. mine looks identical and gets much worse at 75 mph.

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