Clunking noise?

[Dennis Wick]

I've had my R1T now for only 3+ months. I noticed today it has started making a clunking noise when I accelerate or regen when in "conservative" mode. Only happens on initial take off and when the truck is slowing down to a stop. No clunking noise while normal traveling.

When traveling in "all purpose" mode there is no noise at all. it sounds like its coming from underneath the truck.

I also tried testing for noise in "sport" mode, there is some once and a while but not constant like in conservative mode.

Anyone have any knowledge or heard as to why? Other than that the truck has been perfect.

thanks, Dennis

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[DaveA]

Mine does it in all modes. It’s like the tick/tock of the half shafts but worse with greater torque on the half shafts at speed. Yours must be worse in front than rear. SC will probably just grease shafts in front and send you on your way. That’s what it sounds like Austin SC is going to do after they test drove it with me. ?. I’ll find out next week.

 

[Dennis Wick]

David,
that's interesting, I would be happy to hear the results b/f I start a service ticket. I hope you will post the remedy?
question...did yours out of the blue start making that noise?
Or has it been an issue since new?
thanks

 

[amos0077]

Mine does it in all modes as well. I just picked mine up from the Austin SC last night, they basically told me some noises are expected on these vehicles. The loaner i had for 4 days was making the same clunking noises, but quieter.

 

[joelster]

I've had my R1T now for only 3+ months. I noticed today it has started making a clunking noise when I accelerate or regen when in "conservative" mode. Only happens on initial take off and when the truck is slowing down to a stop. No clunking noise while normal traveling.

When traveling in "all purpose" mode there is no noise at all. it sounds like its coming from underneath the truck.

I also tried testing for noise in "sport" mode, there is some once and a while but not constant like in conservative mode.

Anyone have any knowledge or heard as to why? Other than that the truck has been perfect.

thanks, Dennis

What you are experiencing is the dreaded Driveline 'Tock'. There are many threads on this. You may only hear it in conserve mode now but soon, you will hear it in all modes. Rivian has a fix for it which involves lifting the truck to extend the drivelines and injecting lubricant into the driveline splines. It does work but the general consensus is that this is a temporary fix. Mine was fixed in July (maybe?) and has been fine ever since.

It is not dangerous but do submit a ticket and get it fixed.

 

[DaveA]

David,
that's interesting, I would be happy to hear the results b/f I start a service ticket. I hope you will post the remedy?
question...did yours out of the blue start making that noise?
Or has it been an issue since new?
thanks

The minor tick/tock has been present on all 3 R1Ts I have driven with low miles…The clunk is new after about 3k miles and hoping regreasing the splines etc mentioned above does the trick to quiet it down.

 

[BPN]

So I experience the same noise and submitted a ticket. Truck was taken into Costa Mesa SC on 2/7. Was told they would just re-lubricate the halfshafts. Got the truck back 2/10, still makes the same noises but maybe more quiet. Looks like it’s confirmed, rivian doesn’t really have a fix, just a ban-aid for this

 

[CD4Complex]

The minor tick/tock has been present on all 3 R1Ts I have driven with low miles…The clunk is new after about 3k miles and hoping regreasing the splines etc mentioned above does the trick to quiet it down.

Yes, this was a known issue and many vehicles went in for a simple, 10 minute fix. The torque on the front suspension was the case for the inter I heard of, and mine. It started around 3k miles, and the fix was torquey and greases. No issue in the 2k miles since then. The threads were labelled ‘tock ’ or ‘clunk’, from memory.

 

[DaveA]

Yes, this was a known issue and many vehicles went in for a simple, 10 minute fix. The torque on the front suspension was the case for the inter I heard of, and mine. It started around 3k miles, and the fix was torquey and greases. No issue in the 2k miles since then. The threads were labelled ‘tock ’ or ‘clunk’, from memory.

They replaced one half shaft that had excessive play and regreased and torqued all others….still have tick/tock…clunk is lessened. Was told now after they test drove it is normal. ?‍. Glad it’s a long warranty on drivetrain.

 

[CascadianApe]

Mine got the same axle spline "fix" and has actually gotten A LOT worse. Mine crunches when on uneven terrain. It feels like bolts are loose or the battery pack is moving around.

It almost feels like they keep torquing one time use stretch bolts. If you've had the spline lube fix it will come back in time. Mine showed back up within 3 weeks and now my car clunks way worse. You can feel it in the pedals and steering wheel. We've stopped driving it and it's now a paper weight till it's service in March. Bellevue SC told me I'd have to pay for the tow if it gets towed in even though the steering geometry changes while you're driving. I've got a 2023 Tacoma and it makes zero of these noises and clunks. The same went for my 2002 Sequoia.

None of the clunking is normal!

 

[HumanGenome]

My service tech was saying this is a common issue most likely due to a missing axel bolt in the 21" tires

 

[R1Tom]

Mine got the same axle spline "fix" and has actually gotten A LOT worse. Mine crunches when on uneven terrain. It feels like bolts are loose or the battery pack is moving around.

It almost feels like they keep torquing one time use stretch bolts. If you've had the spline lube fix it will come back in time. Mine showed back up within 3 weeks and now my car clunks way worse. You can feel it in the pedals and steering wheel. We've stopped driving it and it's now a paper weight till it's service in March. Bellevue SC told me I'd have to pay for the tow if it gets towed in even though the steering geometry changes while you're driving. I've got a 2023 Tacoma and it makes zero of these noises and clunks. The same went for my 2002 Sequoia.

None of the clunking is normal!

As I start reading some of these posts I have to look to see if I wrote it as it mirrors mine so much.

The battery pack moving is another thought I had.

Rivian has to have figured out the source.

A proper selective teardown would be able to narrow it down and isolate it.

Not shitting on Rivian. Love my R1. Love Rivian. All brands have issues.

 

[bael]

Beyond some of the "standard" noises - some videos make it hard for me to compare and I haven't ridden in other trucks - a few months ago I had some hard clunks. I was hoping it wasn't issues getting much worse. In my case, I had used my compressor hose and didn't try to wedge it back in the bag and had tossed in the GT. I stopped after a few times and had noticed that the hose was sliding around. Positioned it differently and didn't hear that clunk anymore. Not that this is what OP had - more of an "on edge" with the various sounds and wanting to make sure don't have a larger problem, but shouldn't rule out other sources.

 

[MidnightRivian]

My service tech was saying this is a common issue most likely due to a missing axel bolt in the 21" tires

Why would the 21" have a missing axle bolt?

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

My service tech was saying this is a common issue most likely due to a missing axel bolt in the 21" tires

This is not the cause for most people. My truck has been to the SC multiple times for the CV shaft clunk and also had a mobile tech visit and I personally watched them remove the center caps and check the torque. They're "there" on my truck, and I still have the clunk.

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