R1S Suspension - Worse Over Time?

[Riv E In]

2024 Gen1 DM R1S owner with a suspension question.

Background: My suspension has been great since purchase. I've heard about the squeaky jounce lines, poor ride quality, etc., and from day one I never really had any issues (default settings are all-purpose, standard height, and soft mode). I also had no discernible ride quality difference after the update that apparently made a huge difference in ride quality for many (most?) Gen1 R1S owners.

Issue: Recently (5K+ miles in), the front suspension is noticeably worse. It still handles large bumps pretty well (think speed bumps), but small divots like cracks on driveways, gravel, or other typical suburban road deviations give off a jarring feel and a significant front-end rattle. It's even caused me to notice several interior rattles (dash, doors, etc.) that I didn't have before. I've tried the "trick" of adjusting up to off-road, cycling ride feels, etc. - nothing has seemed to help.

I don't know what caused this. So my question is, has any other Gen1 R1S owner experienced something similar where the suspension got worse over a short period of time? Other possible explanations? Recommended "fixes"? Wait and hope an update resolves it? Service Center visit (I really hope not!)?

Apologies if this has been covered but I didn't see this exact use case shared when searching. Thanks for the responses in advance!

Sponsored

 

[gto65conv]

I read this last weekend and tried it right away, did seem to make a difference.

https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/...-to-performance-mode.33963/page-4#post-635260

 

[DuoRivians]

Raise the height to high. Ride it around for a bit. Then lower back to standard. It’ll help a lot

 

[Donald Stanfield]

As the last two said, exercise the range of motion to calibrate the suspension.

 

[Riv E In]

Yes I’ve done that (multiple times). No improvement, unfortunately.

 

[Jonger1150]

I wish we could get an official statement from Rivian, but the front dampers, jounce lines and half-shafts all need to be replaced. I feel bad for the company as it tries to turn cash-flow positive, but owners need to be taken care of.

The noise from the front suspension is way beyond acceptable for a $80k + ride.

 

[jmtreetop]

I wish we could get an official statement from Rivian, but the front dampers, jounce lines and half-shafts all need to be replaced. I feel bad for the company as it tries to turn cash-flow positive, but owners need to be taken care of.

The noise from the front suspension is way beyond acceptable for a $80k + ride.

I agree. I think we need to be making a bigger deal about it with Rivian. I’ve tried everything as well. I have an appt. coming up. This will be the 6th time in for suspension concerns. So far the SC has refused to perform any suspension related TSBs or Customer Satisfaction compaigns stating that suspension is “normal”. I’m going to push harder this time.

 

[Jonger1150]

I agree. I think we need to be making a bigger deal about it with Rivian. I’ve tried everything as well. I have an appt. coming up. This will be the 6th time in for suspension concerns. So far the SC has refused to perform any suspension related TSBs or Customer Satisfaction compaigns stating that suspension is “normal”. I’m going to push harder this time.

Do you have the chirping suspension? That's supposed to be done.

 

[jmtreetop]

Do you have the chirping suspension? That's supposed to be done.

I have it all but especially the chirping lately. When I drive with the tech they say it’s “normal” because they all do it. That’s not my definition of normal. I’m going to push harder on the TSB this time and hope it improves the experience. I will see if they can do the other TSBs and campaigns too while they are in there. They wouldn’t do the clunking one last time since I couldn’t reproduce it in their parking lot.

 

[riverflowsinme]

I'm pretty new to rivian, but could environmental factors be affecting the suspension? Like temperature changes or something? Just throwing ideas out there.

 

[RedRiv]

Yes, exact same issues with my Gen 1 R1S! Mine have a risen at roughly the same time that you report yours have. I do have a service appointment next week so I'll repost an update. Suspension rattle has become so bad that my wife remarked that it sounds like an old 20-year-old SUV. And, like you mentioned, this has led to a number of other internal rattles surfacing and becoming noticeable. Totally unacceptable for a vehicle at this price point that was perfectly fine in this regard 10 months ago when we got it new. Maddening and frustrating for a vehicle that I otherwise love.

 

[Riv E In]

Yes, exact same issues with my Gen 1 R1S! Mine have a risen at roughly the same time that you report yours have. I do have a service appointment next week so I'll repost an update. Suspension rattle has become so bad that my wife remarked that it sounds like an old 20-year-old SUV. And, like you mentioned, this has led to a number of other internal rattles surfacing and becoming noticeable. Totally unacceptable for a vehicle at this price point that was perfectly fine in this regard 10 months ago when we got it new. Maddening and frustrating for a vehicle that I otherwise love.

Any update?

 

[RedRiv]

Literally took it into the service center this morning. No word yet. The vibe I get is that they will try to say it is all normal. I am coming to believe that the suspension on these vehicles is simply a poor design that is inadequate to handle the weight of the vehicle over slightly rough surfaces and that it truly does worsen over time. There will be no real fix, it is the way the vehicle is - a rattle box that drives like a bucket of bolts, particularly at slower speeds. The poor suspension and very harsh ride, in turn, lead over time to all manner of other rattles and vibrations. It is a love hate relationship with this vehicle for me.

 

[Jonger1150]

Yes, exact same issues with my Gen 1 R1S! Mine have a risen at roughly the same time that you report yours have. I do have a service appointment next week so I'll repost an update. Suspension rattle has become so bad that my wife remarked that it sounds like an old 20-year-old SUV. And, like you mentioned, this has led to a number of other internal rattles surfacing and becoming noticeable. Totally unacceptable for a vehicle at this price point that was perfectly fine in this regard 10 months ago when we got it new. Maddening and frustrating for a vehicle that I otherwise love.

What is the build date of your vehicle? This might be the hub bolt/knuckle issue.

 

[RedRiv]

2023 build (vehicle in service as we speak so don' have access). But yes, I specifically asked them to check to so-called hub to knuckle bolts. I think the bottom line is that these otherwise super awesome vehicles have really crappy suspensions and the company can't really fix it in past builds so we have to live with it or sell/trade -- those are the bottom line options.

Sponsored