Continual suspension/alignment issues

[TXChips]

Fair enough. In standard mode the alignment should not be an issue like the OP is noting.

I would continue to go back to Rivian until they fix it or if anything document, by telling them the issues persists. You might be able to find a local tire shop that has the correct alignment machine. Maybe they can fix what Rivian cannot.

The truck has been at Rivian for over 2 weeks, I haven't accepted it back. I've been told three times now that the vehicle is repaired and drives great only for the same issues that were present on arrival to persist, and then Rivian accepts the truck back for service.

I'm not interested in paying out of pocket or accepting a vehicle that is unsafe to drive if Rivian is unable to do the work on their own, their inability to service their own vehicles is not my problem.

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[Golfer04]

this is silly, there is no reason to avoid using the different suspension modes. it isn't going to create or avoid any problems. if you don't use those modes because you don't need them, that's a different matter.

Think what you want. Service tech told me that. You use your vehicle and I'll use mine.

 

[electruck]

Think what you want. Service tech told me that. You use your vehicle and I'll use mine.

Probably another service tech that isn't even competent to perform an alignment. We should compare service histories at 100k and 200k and do some myth busting.

 

[electruck]

That's what I'm wondering too, the fact that the vehicle will pull to one side makes me think it's an issue of power being distributed.

I've already exceeded the repair attempts for a safety issue and if the diff/motor needs to be replaced I'll very likely exceed 30 days out of service. So I'm hopeful Rivian can look to repurchase it so I can either walk away or explore a new truck before the tax credit is gone.

Odds seem extremely low there is a brake problem based on details provided, but have they measured brake pad wear on the front axle to see if the pads on one side are wearing faster than the other?

 

[TXChips]

Odds seem extremely low there is a brake problem based on details provided, but have they measured brake pad wear on the front axle to see if the pads on one side are wearing faster than the other?

No clue, they have not shared with me much what was done. I was told my vehicle was "thoroughly inspected" and that it only needed an alignment and yet here we are....

 

[HaveBlue]

Post up the after alignment settings. How much caster angle is dialed in?

Maybe your subframe is bad. That's what it sounds like if it won't hold proper adjustments.

 

[TXChips]

Post up the after alignment settings. How much caster angle is dialed in?

Maybe your subframe is bad. That's what it sounds like if it won't hold proper adjustments.

I don't have the first alignment that was done but these are the 2nd (left) and 3rd (right), there might have been a 4th that was done as well. But there was maybe 50 miles of driving between these.

 

[electruck]

that's quite a bit of change in toe, both front and rear, between the #2-after and #3-before. it should not be changing like that. you need to push Rivian to figure out why it changed so much over only 50 miles. interestingly for the front, you lost about 0.13 deg of toe on both sides shifting the left front from the proper amount of toe-in to a little toe-out. On the front right, you lost the same amount pushing that wheel into excessive toe-in. So for the front, that might suggest a problem with either the steering rack or subframe as it seemed something moved affecting toe on both sides equally. I'm guessing something at the left rear just wasn't torqued properly during the #2 alignment.

 

[TXChips]

that's quite a bit of change in toe, both front and rear, between the #2-after and #3-before. it should not be changing like that. you need to push Rivian to figure out why it changed so much over only 50 miles. interestingly for the front, you lost about 0.13 deg of toe on both sides shifting the left front from the proper amount of toe-in to a little toe-out. On the front right, you lost the same amount pushing that wheel into excessive toe-in. So for the front, that might suggest a problem with either the steering rack or subframe as it seemed something moved affecting toe on both sides equally. I'm guessing something at the left rear just wasn't torqued properly during the #2 alignment.

Rivian has told me this is normal as, to paraphrase, “if you put a truck back on the rack right after you put it on you’ll get different numbers.” The amount of times I’ve been told the vehicle driving as it has is “in spec” is very frustrating and not confidence inspiring.

I’ve been pushing for them to escalate beyond alignment for engineering review as that is not an acceptable answer and the alignment has not resolved any of the steering issues.

 

[HaveBlue]

The cross caster will cause the pulling. If you have a severe shock issue where it dives, you can get a cross camber issue that causes it to pull.

I would mark the cam positions, right after aligning it, with a marker and see if they slip after driving. If they do then they weren't tight or have a mechanical issue

 

[TXChips]

The cross caster will cause the pulling. If you have a severe shock issue where it dives, you can get a cross camber issue that causes it to pull.

I would mark the cam positions, right after aligning it, with a marker and see if they slip after driving. If they do then they weren't tight or have a mechanical issue

Thanks for the info, but shouldn't the techs know this?...

 

[2kwik4u]

I have this same issue. truck has pulled since day one. Multiple tires replaced, multiple alignments. Still pulls like dammit to the right, worse on heavy power/regen application. Rivian claims it's the tires wearing unevenly, and they won't address it again until I put new tires on it. My faith in them to get it right is shot after 3 attempts with poor results.

I've given up on Rivian techs fixing it, and I'm taking it to a local performance shop. I don't want it "in spec" I want it "to spec". That is to say, if it's calling for 0.5deg of camber +/- .25deg, I don't want it set to 0.75deg and it be "in tolerance", I want it set to 0.5deg.

I fought this on my Audis as well before my Rivian. Finally quit going to the dealership, and paid for a good tech to take their time and align it "to spec". It was more expensive than the dealership, or a regular service visit, but it was done right the first time, and I didn't have to touch it again after that.

SO.....I'll be doing that here in a few months. Going to get some new 275/60/20 AT tires, some new Atomic forged wheels, and have it all dropped shipped to the local performance shop. They're going to road force balance the wheel/tire package, and adjust the alignment until it's right. We'll see if that solves my issues or not. I'll be sure to report back.

 

[electruck]

Rivian has told me this is normal as, to paraphrase, “if you put a truck back on the rack right after you put it on you’ll get different numbers.” The amount of times I’ve been told the vehicle driving as it has is “in spec” is very frustrating and not confidence inspiring.

I’ve been pushing for them to escalate beyond alignment for engineering review as that is not an acceptable answer and the alignment has not resolved any of the steering issues.

yes, a slight variation is to be expected. however, the amount of change in toe your printouts show is absolutely not within normal variation. the slight changes in camber and caster I would chalk up to normal variation.

 

[TXChips]

yes, a slight variation is to be expected. however, the amount of change in toe your printouts show is absolutely not within normal variation. the slight changes in camber and caster I would chalk up to normal variation.

Thanks for the input. Have a call with the regional lead scheduled so hopefully that info moves the needle...

 

[mmbmca]

I'm in the same boat 24 R1T 5th time going in for alignment. 3rd time I last 3 months.

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