Master Thread: Suspension Sounds - What is and isn't normal?

[dleepnw]

Every week there are new posts about someone hearing noises from their suspension and/or front-end. I wanted to create a master thread to organize this so we can compare notes and help each other. I know some of those sounds are normal and some abnormal, so hopefully we can figure out which is which.

What noises are normal?

• Air suspension - some air noise when raising and lowering vehicle
• Hydraulic roll control - fluid moving through the system
• Dampers - compression makes a thump sound
• Friction brakes - creaking noise as the brakes compress/release
• Jounce - thump, hiss sound as suspension travels/compress
• Air compressor - motor and air hissing noise
• HVAC - motor whines, vibrates floor, seat, steering wheel (Gen1)

What noises are NOT normal?

• Half-shaft
  • rattle, creak sounds
  • fix: replace half-shaft
• Subframe
  • thunk, clunk, creak sounds
  • fix: typically fixed by replacing older welded subframes with cast ones
• Hubs
  • creak, clunk, thunk sounds
  • fix: typically fixed by replacing hubs
• Dampers
  • clunk, thunk sounds
    fix: typically fixed by replacing dampers
• Jounce
  • squeak, chirp sounds
  • fix: replace jounce assembly as they can get over extended and wear over time
• Bolts/Washers in the front end
  • creak, tick sounds
  • fix: torque to specs, replace washers
• Drive unit
  • creak, grind, rattle sounds
  • fix: typical fix is to replace the drive unit
• CV Boot/Joint
  • click, creak sounds
  • fix: typically fixed by replacing/repairing cv boot or replacing entire joint

This list is not exhaustive. What am I missing?

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[Jonger1150]

Pretty solid list.

It would be great if we had a old & new part number for the items that have been redesigned, "retrofit".

Here are the new jounce lines and damper part numbers.

Front Damper Module -LH
Part# PT00437091-D
1 $0.00
Front Damper Module-RH
Part# PT00437092-D
1 $0.00

JOUNCE SUBASSEMBLY - FR R
Part# PT01135762-A
1 $0.00
JOUNCE SUBASSEMBLY - FR L
Part# PT01135763-A
1 $0.00

 

[White Shadow]

The suspension is air. No fluid, not hydraulic. If you hear fluid in the system, you've got big problems. Just sayin'....

Of course this is assuming that you're talking about the noises people complain about when the suspension raises or lowers.

 

[Jonger1150]

I have been wondering how the Gen2 sounds. Is this still just as noisy or did they solve this?

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

I have been wondering how the Gen2 sounds. Is this still just as noisy or did they solve this?

I have a video coming tomorrow. I did not have the Gen2 for long enough to test on the normal roads I travel where I hear noises.

I can say though the ride was much smoother even with 22" sport setup in low ride height.

Although I still don't know if it's suspension, axles, or a combination of both. Was my first time driving dual motor too.

 

[Mojave]

Where can you take it if you have these sounds, other than Rivian (next new appointment is December, but I have one in September for issues from months ago).

Can a suspension shop diagnose, or even fix some of them?

See attachment. These clacks are new (after 11k miles). Front Driver side. There is some noise on the passenger side, but possibly just the noise from the other side. They happen on change from acceleration to braking. They happen forward and reverse. Video is on Highest, but it happens on all levels.

 

[dleepnw]

The suspension is air. No fluid, not hydraulic. If you hear fluid in the system, you've got big problems. Just sayin'....

Of course this is assuming that you're talking about the noises people complain about when the suspension raises or lowers.

you're right. the suspension is air and the roll control is hydraulic. i seperated those two. thanks

 

[dleepnw]

Where can you take it if you have these sounds, other than Rivian (next new appointment is December, but I have one in September for issues from months ago).

Can a suspension shop diagnose, or even fix some of them?

See attachment. These clacks are new (after 11k miles). Front Driver side. There is some noise on the passenger side, but possibly just the noise from the other side. They happen on change from acceleration to braking. They happen forward and reverse. Video is on Highest, but it happens on all levels.

i have this exact same noise and it happens exactly the way it happens to you. it started for me around 20k miles. i have a service appt in Sept as well. call Rivian or submit a new ticket via the app. then contact service and have them add it to your existing appt. they should be able to do that.

i personally wouldn't take it to another place to fix unless you just want a second opinion but most places have never seen a Rivian before so it'd be an educated guess on their part. and i doubt those places can fix it if it requires new parts because parts are hard to get outside of being a Rivian Service center. i suppose if its just something loose they could easily tighten it.

 

[Mojave]

Are you driving it in the meantime?

(I did file it with Rivian they will likely call me soon and as it to the other 4 issues)

 

[Schroederhc]

Good idea for the thread.

 

[dleepnw]

Are you driving it in the meantime?

(I did file it with Rivian they will likely call me soon and as it to the other 4 issues)

it used to happen intermittently but between the time i submitted the ticket and now, which is about 2 months, its happens all the time now so i guess its gotten worse. i have no choice but to drive it, its the only vehicle i got.

 

[omgcoffee]

Well timed thread. I've got ~3k mi on the truck and just this afternoon, my wife asked me if the suspension "clunking" at low speed is normal. They've been pretty consistent since I got the truck. It's a '24 so I assumed it has the improved subframe already, but I may try to get a video just to share notes with others.

 

[dleepnw]

Are you driving it in the meantime?

(I did file it with Rivian they will likely call me soon and as it to the other 4 issues)

its my daily driver, i have no choice. i made the appt in June and couldnt get in until Sept

 

[booslim45]

I have been wondering how the Gen2 sounds. Is this still just as noisy or did they solve this?

I have put 3K miles on my Gen 2 R1S and no suspension noises. We had the whole clunking suspension issues in our 2021 quad R1T with 12K Miles. and the service center didn't want to admit it or fix it even after 3 visits so we sold it to carmax. Then we leased a dual motor R1T to see if the had fixed the issues with by switching to the dual. We now have 9K miles and its going in for services for half shaft issues, grinding and all those front suspension noises. We finally decided to use our second reservation to buy the Gen 2 R1S because of the updated suspension. I honestly would not recommend anyone buying the Gen 1 used because of the suspension issues cost coming down the road when its out of warranty.

 

[R1Tom]

I have put 3K miles on my Gen 2 R1S and no suspension noises. We had the whole clunking suspension issues in our 2021 quad R1T with 12K Miles. and the service center didn't want to admit it or fix it even after 3 visits so we sold it to carmax. Then we leased a dual motor R1T to see if the had fixed the issues with by switching to the dual. We now have 9K miles and its going in for services for half shaft issues, grinding and all those front suspension noises. We finally decided to use our second reservation to buy the Gen 2 R1S because of the updated suspension. I honestly would not recommend anyone buying the Gen 1 used because of the suspension issues cost coming down the road when its out of warranty.

You can fix alot of suspension issues, if there even are any, for the difference between a depreciated used G1 and a new G2 of similar spec/performance level. I would have to get a $110k Tri to be similar (albeit no Meridian)to my G1 that is worth about $60k maybe. So...I can fix alot of stuff versus spending $50k and my truck for a Tri.

And at 45k my G1 QM works flawlessly and noise free. These things have 5 year 60k warranties to be able to work thru any issues on Rivians dime....not to mention battery and motors for 8 years 175k.

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