4th time was a charm! (was: 3rd time is apparently not a charm)

[mikehmb]

I brought the truck in for the 3rd attempt to get the alignment straight. After a couple of hours, I got the dreaded “we need to keep the truck to diagnose what’s going on.” Apparently, the previous attempts (and subsequent failures) to align the truck are being caused by a potentially more serious underlying issue.

There are a limited number of things that could cause this. I’m hoping for one of the simpler ones, and not a bent front subframe.

Anyone have a similar experience, and what was your outcome?

EDIT: The got it dialed on the 4th attempt. A roving expert tech was able to coach the local crew through their alignment rig, which I’m told is a little tricky to operate, and ”some trucks” are more challenging than others. Dead straight now.

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[Christopher]

I'm on my 4th alignment, 2 rotations, one tire replaced for premature wear, both front half shafts and struts replaced, and it still pulls to the right and steering wheel shakes on the highway.

 

[COdogman]

Ugh. I’m sorry. Were your trucks like this from the beginning?

 

[Engi_Nerd]

To me, issues like this are the reason I wish we could test drive our actual truck before signing on the dotted line. Buying a $80K+ truck without driving it first feels like buying a house without going inside.

 

[emoore]

Ask them to check the subframe. The realigned mine and now the alignment is good (not perfect though) and no shaking on the highway.

 

[madgrey]

To me, issues like this are the reason I wish we could test drive our actual truck before signing on the dotted line. Buying a $80K+ truck without driving it first feels like buying a house without going inside.

You'd have to drive the one you buy, which is possible during the signing phase, but I bet most people (including me) didn't take theirs up to 70+.

 

[mini2nut]

Your issues must be pretty frustrating on a brand new $80k vehicle.

I felt pretty lucky with my 11/22 build. My steering wheel is dead straight, alignment is spot on and no annoying squeaks/rattles. I did have some panel alignment issues that were fixed to my satisfaction.

 

[mikehmb]

Ugh. I’m sorry. Were your trucks like this from the beginning?

Mine has pulled to the right since day 1. They -almost- sorted it on the 1st alignment, but it wasn’t perfect, so I went back. They borked it on the 2nd attempt - wheel was visibly tilted left (argh). I didn’t drive it after the 3rd attempt, but the service lead did and said he wasn’t satisfied.

Hoping for a misaligned subframe vs. a bent one, or something more catastrophic requiring me to drive this crap-ass Cadillac rental any longer. (I apologize if any of you own whatever model this Cadillac is, but it’s definitely << Rivian)

 

[mikehmb]

Your issues must be pretty frustrating on a brand new $80k vehicle.

I felt pretty lucky with my 11/22 build. My steering wheel is dead straight, alignment is spot on and no annoying squeaks/rattles. I did have some panel alignment issues that were fixed to my satisfaction.

The truck is absolutely wonderful otherwise. I just did a 1500 mile road trip with the alignment slightly off and it was outstanding (aside from the rightward pull).

In fairness to Rivian, my Tundra came misaligned from the factory and they could never get it right, either. And once, my MDX came out of an alignment with the steering wheel off a whopping 45 degrees to drive straight.

 

[R1Tom]

I am starting to wonder how many bad subframes they have had. Seems a fair number have been replaced and newer ones have tons of qc check marks, seemingly indicating that there are welds of concern.

 

[goldburger]

I had the El Segundo take a look at my alignment as a potential cause of my poor efficiency as it pulled just slightly to the right nothing major. They said they did an alignment and holy shit I didn’t even leave the parking lot before it was clear how badly the wheel isn’t centered now and the truck veers right. I’m blown away. My efficiency is worse too, fwiw. Drive home was 1.77 ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[dleepnw]

my two week old truck is off center as well. meaning if i keep the steering wheel straight on, it veers to the right slightly. i opened a service ticket because i have a few other issues, but Bellevue SC is backed up 2 months (better than the 4 months it was earlier this year). we'll see what happens.

 

[Count Orlok]

To me, issues like this are the reason I wish we could test drive our actual truck before signing on the dotted line. Buying a $80K+ truck without driving it first feels like buying a house without going inside.

I drove it before accepting delivery... and I've bought houses without going inside.

 

[emoore]

I am starting to wonder how many bad subframes they have had. Seems a fair number have been replaced and newer ones have tons of qc check marks, seemingly indicating that there are welds of concern.

Most I’ve heard about are misaligned subframes and not poor quality ones.

 

[R1Tom]

Most I’ve heard about are misaligned subframes and not poor quality ones.

That's a bummer as subframe alignment seems like vehicle manufacturing 101.

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