Clunking sound from front end.

[PaythePiper]

Mine 100% has this. It only surfaced after installing 27 last night. I am hearing it on both left and right sides

2023 R1S 9,400mi, was parked for 7 days.

Is this safe to drive? I have a camping trip planned next week. ? Service appointment booked for December 4.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/UQonU4Y6x8o4Si4C8

Any tips or keywords or tips I can tell the service center?

Service appt in 4 months? Holy smokes…

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[tk21]

lol what 2018 model?

The one with the blinker fluid TSB

 

[OKRivian]

Before I dropped my R1T off last week I was able to confirm that this sound was coming from both the driver and passenger sides on my truck. Not just the driver's side as has been commonly reported.

Fortunately, the OKC service center determined there was excessive play in both front halfshafts and replaced both of them. My truck is now as quiet as it ever has been. Really hoping this issue is gone for good.

Next will be the dampers but I'm very satisfied for now.

 

[Frisbee]

For those of you with this problem I would suggest the following. Jack the driver’s side front tire off the ground and rotate it to the left and then to the right several times while having someone video it. Most likely it will sound like a traditional driveshaft which has a universal joint that is wearing out. Lots of play and noise. Then move the tire in and out both vertically and laterally again videoing. Most likely there will be considerable play and it will sound like a tin can with marbles. Repeat this process with the passenger side tire. Send the videos to Rivian. When the service center simply drives the vehicle around the block it does not evidence the problem to the degree this process does as the torque typically takes the play out of the drive components. Mine had bad drive units and half-shafts. The new and improved washer repairs did nothing but result in the LE QM R1T spending unnecessary time at the SC.

 

[DTown3011]

For those of you with this problem I would suggest the following. Jack the driver’s side front tire off the ground and rotate it to the left and then to the right several times while having someone video it. Most likely it will sound like a traditional driveshaft which has a universal joint that is wearing out. Lots of play and noise. Then move the tire in and out both vertically and laterally again videoing. Most likely there will be considerable play and it will sound like a tin can with marbles. Repeat this process with the passenger side tire. Send the videos to Rivian. When the service center simply drives the vehicle around the block it does not evidence the problem to the degree this process does as the torque typically takes the play out of the drive components. Mine had bad drive units and half-shafts. The new and improved washer repairs did nothing but result in the LE QM R1T spending unnecessary time at the SC.

The new washer repairs quieted my vehicle for about 48 hours and now the clunking is back on the front drivers side - likely more prevalent than it was before. Prior, it was really only at low speed or stops/starts that I noticed the noise but now it's virtually at any speed and certainly at stops/starts. It's less loud, but it's absolutely there and was not fixed. Whats the fix here? I'm tired of driving my very expensive vehicle around hearing it click and clunk all the time.

 

[DTown3011]

I mentioned the TSB to Rivian (upcoming service appt in Oct) and they briefly said that TSB is for 2018 models or something way older than mine. I reiterated that I’ve been reading the bolt + washer is fixing the issue regardless on VINs not included in that TSB. I guess we’ll see what they say. I’m not backing down. We shouldn’t spend upwards of $100k on a vehicle to have to deal with a clunking sound all the time.

Couldn't agree more.

 

[DaveA]

The new washer repairs quieted my vehicle for about 48 hours and now the clunking is back on the front drivers side - likely more prevalent than it was before. Prior, it was really only at low speed or stops/starts that I noticed the noise but now it's virtually at any speed and certainly at stops/starts. It's less loud, but it's absolutely there and was not fixed. Whats the fix here? I'm tired of driving my very expensive vehicle around hearing it click and clunk all the time.

I’ve had shafts, hubs, and two washer treatments. I’d say it’s motor play if all that has been done. I’ve been living with it but it’s certainly annoying.

 

[DTown3011]

I’ve had shafts, hubs, and two washer treatments. I’d say it’s motor play if all that has been done. I’ve been living with it but it’s certainly annoying.

I've just had the washer treatments...nothing else.

 

[DaveA]

I've just had the washer treatments...nothing else.

Only thing that did for me was get rid of the clicking noises at low speed getting on/off accelerator. Occasional clunking never left.

I'm also thinking it may not be the shafts/motor, etc at all but rather play in the shock tower.

 

[Jonger1150]

This is probably most gen 1 Rivians that do this.

I believe the half-shafts are responsible. Not sure if the dampers have any impact or not.

 

[Jonger1150]

The new washer repairs quieted my vehicle for about 48 hours and now the clunking is back on the front drivers side - likely more prevalent than it was before. Prior, it was really only at low speed or stops/starts that I noticed the noise but now it's virtually at any speed and certainly at stops/starts. It's less loud, but it's absolutely there and was not fixed. Whats the fix here? I'm tired of driving my very expensive vehicle around hearing it click and clunk all the time.

There is definitely a design flaw with the suspension.

 

[R1Tom]

There are several different noises the front ends can make.

Play in splines between half shaft and hub. Results in creaking. Most noticeable at low speed on off throttle. I would notice it in drive thrus since noise would bounce off walls.

Play in slip joints integral to half shafts. Most likely a clunk on bumps I think.

Air spring / dampener internal noises. Clunks while driving.

Loose panels underneath. Clunks.

Kinetic roll system. Squeaks due to fluid cavitation my guess.

Mine has been cured of all the spline woes. Mine used to clunk on every start and stop. And creak. New subframe...ting washers...and a new half shaft....and all the drivetrain related clunks are gone.

All that is left is on larger movements of front suspension I hear some clunking completely independent of throttle application. I believe it to be internal air spring dampener at this point. It isn't bad...might live with it. Not sure yet. If it gets worse then for sure will pursue prior to warranty expiration.

 

[jmtreetop]

I had my R1S at the Denver SC today to address clunking for the 4th or 5th time. The tech rode around with me for an hour and I was able to reproduce the cluncking although he indicated that it was normal per the current design. I asked to ride in another Gen1 and it sounded the same. Unless corporate pushes out a fix he said there isn’t anything they can do. I left disappointed once again.

 

[DaveA]

There are several different noises the front ends can make.

Play in splines between half shaft and hub. Results in creaking. Most noticeable at low speed on off throttle. I would notice it in drive thrus since noise would bounce off walls.

Play in slip joints integral to half shafts. Most likely a clunk on bumps I think.

Air spring / dampener internal noises. Clunks while driving.

Loose panels underneath. Clunks.

Kinetic roll system. Squeaks due to fluid cavitation my guess.

Mine has been cured of all the spline woes. Mine used to clunk on every start and stop. And creak. New subframe...ting washers...and a new half shaft....and all the drivetrain related clunks are gone.

All that is left is on larger movements of front suspension I hear some clunking completely independent of throttle application. I believe it to be internal air spring dampener at this point. It isn't bad...might live with it. Not sure yet. If it gets worse then for sure will pursue prior to warranty expiration.

Well, I think the sub-frame is another thing I need to have checked. When I put in for my 15,000 mile service, they stated I would need to bring it in to get it up on the rack, but others have had their checkups via mobile. So maybe early VINs are all getting the sub-frame looked at closely.

 

[R1Tom]

Well, I think the sub-frame is another thing I need to have checked. When I put in for my 15,000 mile service, they stated I would need to bring it in to get it up on the rack, but others have had their checkups via mobile. So maybe early VINs are all getting the sub-frame looked at closely.

Thry did my ting washers first....then I believe a half shaft....then called and told me they still heard something and decided it was subframe time. And when all that was done....I have a very nice and quiet truck...with exception of what I believe to be an internal noise on the air spring dampner.

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