Gen 1 R1T Quad Subframe Replacement Results

[variableresults]

So, like many I had the snaps and pops when turning my wheel on my 2022 R1T. I took it in and they ended up doing the Gen2 cast aluminum subframe retrofit, new half-shafts and dampers, new air pump, new jounce lines (if you have squeeky squeeky in your suspension, there's a TSB for that), and a number of other things. It took a couple visits, unfortunately, since the SC wasn't exactly on top of the work and failed to complete some tickets.

Now that I have it back, though, it's like it's a new truck. I'm not sure if this is how the R1Ts came off the line in 2022 (mine has 55k miles and I got it used), but now the truck is tight and responsive and no longer feels like it's barely out of control on corners and over bumps. "Dialed in" is the feel I get from it, and that's even with 20" Nitto Ridge Grapplers. I took it for a drive on Hwy 1 last Thursday to really break it in and it was brilliant. On sport mode it feels like driving a car, not a truck. And the suspension is much quieter.

All that said, I get the sense that Rivian is trying to avoid an expensive recall for the 2022 trucks that have the welded subframe. Watching Sandy Monroe, it's pretty obvious that a lot of the welds are not up to par, as evidenced by pops and snaps coming from the subframes as they wear in. Even though Rivian was adamant that it was safe to drive when I asked, I do wonder if there could've been a point where that changed. I know they were trying to get the truck released, but it seems like they would've done a lot better had they simply waited until they had the tooling to do the front cast aluminum subframe. I didn't have a price on my warranty work, but I would guess they did around 10-20k of work.

Seeing that, I often wonder how Rivian will stay in business if they don't reduce these SC visits.

On a side note, my 2024 R1T Dual loaner made me love my 2022 Quad even more. I don't know what they changed on the Duals, but the accelerator is so vague and slow with the throttle response compared to my Quad, even with the Quad in All-Purpose and Conserve. Like you have to mash the pedal down and then wait a second for it to decide to take off. And the one I had, with only 5k miles, had more rattles in the cabin than what I sent mine in for.

Which is good for the pocket book since I want to drive my Quad into the ground over the next ten years.

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[Ilovejunebugs]

My 22 r1t had the new front subframe installed July 2024. Going for half shafts, hubs and jounce lines in a few weeks.
After the subframe replacement it felt like a new truck.

 

[Egen]

So, like many I had the snaps and pops when turning my wheel on my 2022 R1T. I took it in and they ended up doing the Gen2 cast aluminum subframe retrofit, new half-shafts and dampers, new air pump, new jounce lines (if you have squeeky squeeky in your suspension, there's a TSB for that), and a number of other things. It took a couple visits, unfortunately, since the SC wasn't exactly on top of the work and failed to complete some tickets.

Now that I have it back, though, it's like it's a new truck. I'm not sure if this is how the R1Ts came off the line in 2022 (mine has 55k miles and I got it used), but now the truck is tight and responsive and no longer feels like it's barely out of control on corners and over bumps. "Dialed in" is the feel I get from it, and that's even with 20" Nitto Ridge Grapplers. I took it for a drive on Hwy 1 last Thursday to really break it in and it was brilliant. On sport mode it feels like driving a car, not a truck. And the suspension is much quieter.

All that said, I get the sense that Rivian is trying to avoid an expensive recall for the 2022 trucks that have the welded subframe. Watching Sandy Monroe, it's pretty obvious that a lot of the welds are not up to par, as evidenced by pops and snaps coming from the subframes as they wear in. Even though Rivian was adamant that it was safe to drive when I asked, I do wonder if there could've been a point where that changed. I know they were trying to get the truck released, but it seems like they would've done a lot better had they simply waited until they had the tooling to do the front cast aluminum subframe. I didn't have a price on my warranty work, but I would guess they did around 10-20k of work.

Seeing that, I often wonder how Rivian will stay in business if they don't reduce these SC visits.

On a side note, my 2024 R1T Dual loaner made me love my 2022 Quad even more. I don't know what they changed on the Duals, but the accelerator is so vague and slow with the throttle response compared to my Quad, even with the Quad in All-Purpose and Conserve. Like you have to mash the pedal down and then wait a second for it to decide to take off. And the one I had, with only 5k miles, had more rattles in the cabin than what I sent mine in for.

Which is good for the pocket book since I want to drive my Quad into the ground over the next ten years.

Do you have the TSB number by chance?

 

[NoICE]

This is Rivian's TSB for the front jounce lines:

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2024/MC-11006035-0001.pdf

 

[elektrode]

I got the Gen2 front subframe replaced. Somewhat exaggerated take, but basically my truck drives straight now.

 

[Egen]

This is Rivian's TSB for the front jounce lines:

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2024/MC-11006035-0001.pdf

Thank you

 

[Joe Hoffman]

I've got the clicks when turning at slow speed. I'm scheduled to drop it off this Tuesday to have that resolved. I think it's new 1/2 shafts, not sure. But I'd rather replace the whole front end and get the improved solution that so many talk about.
What do I need to do to convince Rivian to do that whole replacment on mine?

 

[MidnightRivian]

I've got the clicks when turning at slow speed. I'm scheduled to drop it off this Tuesday to have that resolved. I think it's new 1/2 shafts, not sure. But I'd rather replace the whole front end and get the improved solution that so many talk about.
What do I need to do to convince Rivian to do that whole replacment on mine?

I had to go a couple times to get all my issues resolved. The best thing that worked for me was being patient with Rivian and going with their initial solution / fix and then asking for a senior technician ride along the second time if issues persist to make sure we are all on the same page.

 

[Paduraru]

On mine, the subframe thing didn't happen after three separate visits, almost one month in service and a bunch of parts replaced. They forced me to take it home, so now I have a 20k miles truck that sounds like a 20 year old truck (especially at low speed )

 

[Jonger1150]

Welded subframes were online 2022s and maybe 2023?

My 2024 Dual Motor doesn't seem to have those issues.

 

[variableresults]

Welded subframes were online 2022s and maybe 2023?

My 2024 Dual Motor doesn't seem to have those issues.

I think the switch was late 2022. Definitely by 2024.

 

[variableresults]

On mine, the subframe thing didn't happen after three separate visits, almost one month in service and a bunch of parts replaced. They forced me to take it home, so now I have a 20k miles truck that sounds like a 20 year old truck (especially at low speed )

If you still have clicks and pops, I would escalate that to the service phone number and let them know. It’s clearly not normal or they wouldn’t be swapping out subframes and other suspension components.

 

[zefram47]

The cast subframe came in early 2023, IIRC, and my Feb 2023 built truck has one. It's not a Gen2 thing.

 

[HaveBlue]

I had the jounce lines replaced because of clunks over speed bumps and approaches. All gone but the drive shafts creak when coming to a stop or leaving one. That started after a full send one day getting on the shortest freeway on ramps in existence of literally one car length.

 

[BourboNole]

August 22 delivery and I've had my front half-shafts replaced 3 times and my rears once in 20k miles. Most recently I had the awful low speed creaking when starting and stopping. Prior to that I had chattering under heavy acceleration that took multiple visit to eliminate. I have never noticed any pops when turning my wheels, but I guess I need to listen for it. My concern is it seems something is off that is causing my truck to eat half shafts. I drive hard, but usually in low or standard, and I almost never drive in high. I wonder if the new subframe might place the motors a bit differently and stop this regular consumption of what I have to assume is an expensive part to replace once my warranty ends.

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