Broken Suspension on R1T ? during PNW Rivian group trip: WA BDR.

[EV-X Oregon]

It’s Gaia GPS. I use it on my IPad.

Poking the bear a bit but would be a huge advantage of having Apple CP in the Rivian and use that trucks screen for Gaia tracking, offline map use.

My last vehicle (which I ditched too early because I thought I was getting a Rivian sooner than later was a Volvo S90) was purchased largely for the inclusion of Apple Car Play. Easy playback and delivery of text messaging, good mapping, Spotify, etc. — were always appreciated when driving the Volvo. More poking at that Bear!

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[jjswan33]

Photos as it sits in the parking lot now a day later.

 

[Dirty_B]

That’s what they initially claimed but I doubt they can deliver that service or advertise that much anymore.

When I was contacted by my guide back in Feb to let me know that my vehicle was imminent, I let him know that I was having second thoughts because I am 3 hours from nearest service center. He reassured me that Rivian provided a “white gloves” service experience and that they would send a mobile tech to my location should I have any issues. Unfortunately, this was not true and I have been asked to drive my vehicle 3 hours to the nearest service center each time I have had to reach out to service and have not once been offered a mobile tech. Rivian did arrange for my vehicle to be towed to Houston when I had a hydraulic leak that made the vehicle unsafe to drive - I didn’t expect a mobile tech to be able to address that.

Now that sucks...

 

[HokieBird7980]

Sorry to hear about your suspension. i had an issue with the front right suspension a few days after taking delivery. Stayed at a hotel for 2 days without using the truck and when i came out it was squatting on the front right. Was worried about getting back home, but made it and called service center. They picked it up and took it to Richmond (5 hrs away) and said they fixed it by calibrating the suspension to reset to last position when i got back in the truck. Now that doesn't sound like fixing the problem to me, but it has worked for most part, although the truck still tilts to front right when it sits for a few days. They swear not leak was found, but when mobile tech came to delivery and install full size spare, he said that the front right is furthest away from compressor and sometimes that's the first spot that lowers if there is any loss of pressure in the line and then the compressor tries to compensate by running. Suppose if the issue is bad enough it would continue to run to point of overheating and shut down. Fortunately has not happened yet, although i did find that today when going offroad in some new housing development dirt roads that it was struggling to get the front right level for a bit. Think there's definitely something with the front right suspension that is causing issues in more than just a couple trucks. Hopefully fixable in a software fix if it's not a true leak. Sucks you missed out on most of the weekend fun.

 

[Boomkanani]

With the compressor overheating, it probably would be best to put suspension in low or lowest if you have a leak. Only raise it when needed for an obstacle to reduce its run time.
I would try park it some place quiet, pump up suspension, and listen for leaks. As others have said, it could be something you can temporarily repair (leaking fitting/line).
It would be nice to know where the check valves are for the air lines or even a schematic of the lines. If there are multiple outputs from the compressor (one for front suspension & one for rear suspension), it could even be the compressor fitting or an internal leak of the compressor. I would hope that each corner would have a check valve, but maybe not.

 

[Forager]

Real bummer that happened. It took me over a year to get comfortable with my stock air suspension system, and that was after it failed and I had to limp 13 miles. After that event I learned everything I could about it, rebuilt various parts, and learned how to better trouble shoot it.

I really do hope Rivian allows owners to have more tools to fix these things since Service Centers won’t be practical in every situation. Having some extra parts such as fittings, air hose, ride height sensors, and even air struts would make a huge difference.

Here’s a great video of the WA BDR for those interested:

 

[kizamybute']

That sucks. As other's said, the compressor did overheat as it was running non-stop trying to fill a non-sealed system. They need to build in a fail-safe that reads the pressure on the system. If the system isn't holding pressure, needs to recognize there's a problem and stop burning up the compressor.

While the 34" tires may be better for off-road, they always felt too big for the truck proportionately. I changed to the same tire, but a 275/60/20 instead of the 65 series. Down to 33" and in my opinion, fits the truck better. Being that other's have had similar issues, now thinking my smaller tires could benefit me in this respect, should I be unlucky enough to have the same thing happen.

 

[R1T-USN]

@jjswan33

I’m curious have you tried a hard reset?
At least you have the forum to keep you company and somewhat distracted.
what VIN is you adventurous rig?

 

[jjswan33]

@jjswan33

I’m curious have you tried a hard reset?
At least you have the forum to keep you company and somewhat distracted.
what VIN is you adventurous rig?

Yeah I did a hard reset as one of the first things, I was hoping the suspension got in some weird state after using camp level. I also did one again yesterday and that is how I cleared the 8mph limit while it was trying to reset my level.

My VIN is 31XX range and is approaching 18k miles.

 

[R1T-USN]

thanks for the info!

 

[jjswan33]

That sucks. As other's said, the compressor did overheat as it was running non-stop trying to fill a non-sealed system. They need to build in a fail-safe that reads the pressure on the system. If the system isn't holding pressure, needs to recognize there's a problem and stop burning up the compressor.

While the 34" tires may be better for off-road, they always felt too big for the truck proportionately. I changed to the same tire, but a 275/60/20 instead of the 65 series. Down to 33" and in my opinion, fits the truck better. Being that other's have had similar issues, now thinking my smaller tires could benefit me in this respect, should I be unlucky enough to have the same thing happen.

Yeah I agree an extra inch would definitely helpful, I guess the 60 width are not that much wider but that would be a factor as well.

 

[iansriv]

You have a great attitude. Good on you for taking it on the chin. I am concerned about these types of issues. It's one thing to get stuck in the city. The R1 is a lifestyle change for me and I am new to the entire "adventure" concept. I hope this is not what Rivian had in mind as "Adventure." I am not versed/equipped/experienced to deal with these types of issues. My only hope would be to call someone to come and fix the issue. Not sure how that would help in this situation.

 

[jjswan33]

You have a great attitude. Good on you for taking it on the chin. I am concerned about these types of issues. It's one thing to get stuck in the city. The R1 is a lifestyle change for me and I am new to the entire "adventure" concept. I hope this is not what Rivian had in mind as "Adventure." I am not versed/equipped/experienced to deal with these types of issues. My only hope would be to call someone to come and fix the issue. Not sure how that would help in this situation.

I think one thing to consider. At least in my opinion if you spend enough time off road something will break at some point. It’s just a matter of what and how often.

I think the open question is how the R1T performs compared to other adventure vehicles.

Edit: By perform I meant in terms of reliability under stress. We all know that the truck is going to crush all others

 

[kizamybute']

Yeah I agree an extra inch would definitely helpful, I guess the 60 width are not that much wider but that would be a factor as well.

The 275/60/20 is the same in width, just has a 33 inch diameter rather than a 34 inch diameter of the 275/65/20. Same exact tread pattern. Only difference is a little less sidewall height, which gives the fenders a little more clearance. Photo below has different wheels, but has the 275/60/20 tire.

 

[jjswan33]

The 275/60/20 is the same in width, just has a 33 inch diameter rather than a 34 inch diameter of the 275/65/20. Same exact tread pattern. Only difference is a little less sidewall height, which gives the fenders a little more clearance. Photo below has different wheels, but has the 275/60/20 tire.

I stand corrected. Definitely would have loved the extra 1/2 in of clearance in the wheel well then.

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