R2 Jack Point Design - Potential Issues / Challenges

[usulio]

Honestly, exactly what I've come to expect from Rivian.

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[BrayBay]

Disappointing. While I've been a big fan of Rivian overall, it's little details like this lift point that drives me nuts. This is a company that tries to distinguish itself to be sustainable, focused on customer experiences, and seamlessly orchestrating "millions of decisions" for a single product.

This unusual lift point makes it feel like someone in the Rivian financial department snuck their way into product design to drive up service numbers. R2 customers probably might now need to go out of their way to a service center or risk damage to their vehicle because tire shops have to keep adapting.

Maybe someone can help educate me on vehicle engineering, but I feel like vehicle lifting (even heavy battery EVs) should have been a problem already solved by now that didn't need another unusual spin.

On the other hand, hopefully this means good business for @Mark_AZR1T to make more accessories that fills the missing gap Rivian overlooked. I have a set of 4 Jack Pucks myself!

 

[Dave Cundiff]

I've learned to trust @Mark_AZR1T's engineering skills and common sense. If he's concerned, I'm concerned.

It has to be safe to lift the R2 in the field and at third-party shops -- not just at service centers. Rivian can't build enough service centers to do everything that every R2 owner will need.

I look forward to seeing how Rivian (and the Rivian community, if Rivian will let us) will assure safe lifting in all the places an R2 will need to be serviced.

Best to all!

 

[DuoRivian]

Disappointing. While I've been a big fan of Rivian overall, it's little details like this lift point that drives me nuts. This is a company that tries to distinguish itself to be sustainable, focused on customer experiences, and seamlessly orchestrating "millions of decisions" for a single product.

This unusual lift point makes it feel like someone in the Rivian financial department snuck their way into product design to drive up service numbers. R2 customers probably might now need to go out of their way to a service center or risk damage to their vehicle because tire shops have to keep adapting.

Maybe someone can help educate me on vehicle engineering, but I feel like vehicle lifting (even heavy battery EVs) should have been a problem already solved by now that didn't need another unusual spin.

On the other hand, hopefully this means good business for @Mark_AZR1T to make more accessories that fills the missing gap Rivian overlooked. I have a set of 4 Jack Pucks myself!

I can see them wanting to maximize services like tire rotation, but since they do not fit new tires they know third party sites will be lifting these vehicles. They need to make things easier to be fully accepted into the mainstream and not have things like this (and 12V battery placement) being awkward and alienating the mainstream.

People get flat tires and call AAA and if things now made more difficult then word will spread and their reputation will suffer.

 

[mkhuffman]

I get the idea, but the R2 jack point simply isn’t machined for positive engagement. There’s no defined locating feature, and the center cavity isn’t a keyed geometry (look at rounding of edges). Unlike the R1, a puck can’t lock in, everything depends on friction and precise placement.

I wonder if instead of "optimized for service center" they meant "optimized for manufacturing".

Maybe they just assumed what worked on the factory floor would work in a service center. That's not logical, but it sort of makes sense. The focus is manufacturability, not serviceability?

Thanks for sharing this and it is very disappointing. I can see future stories of R2s falling off lifts and tire centers refusing to lift them.

 

[savethemanual]

I'm guessing the decision for this lift point design was completely cost driven. My 2 cents, ha!

 

[savethemanual]

Guess the crossbars aren't the only thing not compatible between the R1 and R2. Looks like were going to need jack pucks unique to this design. Strange choice.

Yes, but I bet they will stick with same jack points and crossbars for R3/X and any other additional models that stem from this platform so there will be some continuity.

 

[Ramfamnh]

Probably very wishful thinking but by any chance is the polymer pad raised a bit and the surrounding recessed area is 5"x5" allowing for some shop two post lifts to fit in the cavity but only pressure lift on the 2"x4" pad?

 

[DD4ST]

Probably very wishful thinking but by any chance is the polymer pad raised a bit and the surrounding recessed area is 5"x5" allowing for some shop two post lifts to fit in the cavity but only pressure lift on the 2"x4" pad?

Not clear in the picture but it appears that you could lift it with a standard floor jack without the use of pucks. The required use of pucks for R!’s is always a LIMFAC on who can service these, both in training and equipment.

 

[R1Thor]

This design seems VERY suboptimal for tire changes in any non-idealized environment.
IE: roadside tire changes, or even more concerning: off-road tire swaps. If there's no positive engagement, and you're on any kind of slope or loose terrain, the odds of something going sideways, LITERALLY, are greatly increased.

This...this seems bad.

Seems like another step away from "Right to Repair" in my opinion, as well. There is literally no good reason I can fathom wherein you need a custom or unique geometry as a lift point. None.

 

[Nixapatfan]

Yet another reason why I won't be returning to Rivian once I'm done with the T, this company is just so hostile to 3rd party / DIY things. Just doesn't fit with how I do things, next thing you'll find is some crazy pentalobe screws everywhere.

 

[mkennedy009]

I guess the $799 spare tire kit from the accessory store will have one puck or maybe a proprietary bottle jack with a special interface.

 

[savethemanual]

I guess the $799 spare tire kit from the accessory store will have one puck or maybe a proprietary bottle jack with a special interface.

One would sure hope so!

 

[raylepper]

Why do they keep doing this?

Maybe the hired the team from Apple responsible for power and accessory connector choice.

 

[jeeden]

With the exception of costco which uses pucks, so many of the third party shops around me use newer lifts and jack under the control arms now I don't know if I see this being an issue. I think the days of jack points are going away because there are so many designs for unique unibodies, EVs, etc.

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