Rally mode, gravel lot... Bad ending (tie rod)

[DuoRivians]

Tie rods are supposed to be a weak link of failure. I would be careful about installing parts that “strengthen” the tie rods, as that might lead to another part of the vehicle becoming the weak link and much more expensive to fix

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[Joules Burn]

Don't be "too honest" and tell tell them an overly detailed explanation. If this is a part that has failed before under warranty, they will replace it.

 

[pnwr1s]

Just found these online

https://dirtyhookerdiesel.com/i-24077904-dhd-600-625-rivian-r1t-r1s-steel-tie-rod-sleeves.html

May help prevent this issue but other more expensive components could fail instead?

Personally would never use these on any vehicle. Tie rods are like a fuse that protects the steering rack. When you remove the ability for the tie rod to bend that force is sent to your steering rack.

While it sucks that OP bent his tie rod, a rack is much more costly.

 

[FooF]

Personally would never use these on any vehicle. Tie rods are like a fuse that protects the steering rack. When you remove the ability for the tie rod to bend that force is sent to your steering rack.

While it sucks that OP bent his tie rod, a rack is much more costly.

Yeah transfer of damage to other components was my first concern as well. But that expense was outweighed by the possibility of having to hike 30 miles from the middle of nowhere because of a broken tie rod. I would rather make it off the trail and replace all of the damaged components at my expense.

 

[Riviaenz]

This is an example of why Rivian will not release Tank Turn.

Read this thread for another broken tie rod and a deep discussion and things to watch for....

I wouldn’t be surprised if Tank Turn makes an appearance via a SW update if MB releases their R1G, I mean EQG with G-Turn enabled.

https://apple.news/Autnvm4vlSwW4TXsfiAwqaQ

 

[NDIrish]

Well, showing off for my teenage sons and ended poorly needing a tow.

Not sure how much this will cost me?

Or how long need to wait for parts/service in AZ?

UPDATE: I had it towed directly to the Service Center, which was a good idea since the Corporate Service had me scheduled on Dec 15th ... the AZ SC looked at it today and should have it fixed by tomorrow they said.

BUT still "discussing" with them that I think it should be warranty work, I was using it how I would expect it to be used on an adventure. They said since it failed due to excessive force it wasn't covered, and I was trying to get them to explain how a tie rod fails without excessive force? and what is considered excessive. I was honest and said it did NOT hit anything, I was in sand and gravel which I would expect to be able to handle... but end of the day, I authorized the repairs so I can have it for an upcoming trip this weekend.

$1,200's to repair a broken tie rod ($225 of that is to repair the inner wheel liner, which I could go without, but it's still less than 1 year old and they already have it in the shop... so I said do it)

roughly $520 parts, $260 for alignment, $350 labor .... I asked if I could buy the parts and do the labor myself, and they said they would check... but at the end of the day it would need an alignment... and it's 1 hr drive away, so picking up the parts figuring it out, then finding a place to align it, I authorized the work and made my case that maybe warranty should cover it.

I attached the quote for part codes and labor rates for the group to learn more.

Live and learn. Adventures are fun but expensive... won't deter me for now, I've had a lot of fun on trails with this truck, but speed and weight don't play nice together, I'll keep to slow crawling for now.

 

[NDIrish]

Well, showing off for my teenage sons and ended poorly needing a tow.

Not sure how much this will cost me?

Or how long need to wait for parts/service in AZ?

POST Service Update #1:
Tomorrow in the daylight I want to take photos and inspect closer. but (not that anyone cares) I did want to update since the return of the vehicle was fairly quick compared to nightmares I have read online.

It was towed to shop on Friday (holiday weekend). Had electronic work approval sent on Monday, repairs finished Tuesday. Unfortunately I couldn't get answers on if it was finished like they said it would be on Tuesday, it's an hour drive and they close at 5, so by 4pm it was leave work early to get there or punt to next day. I punted to next day because corporate couldn't get a hold of anyone in SC and just put in a call back told my ride from work that lives that way to head out without me. At that time the app still showed "in service". At 5pm as I was leaving work, I checked app and it showed out of service and all looked normal in the app, but still no notification. But at 5:05 driving home, they called to notify me it was ready. They said they were closed but they could lock the keycard in the vehicle (actually I need to verify they did, just remembered about that).

Wednesday after work, I used my fob to just get in and drive away (I sorta don't like that it was parked on a street just sitting there unguarded... but also like that I could just get in and drive away, so torn on that concern). The SC location is very inconvenient for me. 1 hr through rush hour traffic (which I don't normally deal with luckily), but overall close to the highway exit and in calm part of town, so it isn't horrible, it just makes it inconvenient for me. The vehicle was as dirty and filthy as I left it (surprised they didn't at least wash it, like most other dealer services would). but that isn't a big deal, I got it dirty so not on them, just a small touch you would expect from any other major service center, but it's an added overhead expense that isn't necessary to a growing company and they have zero competition for service in the area, so I get it completely.

I will document the repairs with photos tomorrow or weekend at latest. It DOES appear to be a different style redesigned tie rod. I really never paid much attention to them before it broke, but I have the driver side OEM as delivered one to compare against (it should be the OEM and they are supposedly the same part) so maybe I just saw a snapped and dirty one vs a new one, but it didn't look the same when I glanced. Also they replaced the wheel well cover, which it is a different one, it didn't have the hole in it (friction burn from the tire turned against it) but it definitely was dirty and didn't look much different than the drivers side one, but it's just a piece of plastic inside the wheel well, so not overly concerned, but for $150+labor would expect it to shine.

if you read this far, thanks. just trying to help communicate and share with the group. Overall learnings TOW it to the SC and sorta force their hand on the scheduling. Call through the app, the corporate reps really try to help. Could never actually get in touch directly with the local SC when I wanted; but eventually they did respond to the corporate call back requests. Always keep a keycard in your wallet, didn't feel too concerned giving that to the tow truck driver and keeping my fob/paak as an option to pick it up after service.

 

[Dark-Fx]

Just be careful driving slowly down those gravel roads next time. Almost as dangerous as empty fields.

 

[iansriv]

Respect your honesty. Stuff happens when you're having fun. At least no one got hurt. Cheers.

 

[Tango45]

@NDIrish Thanks for sharing your experience. I'll admit that my first response was along the lines of, "well, at least I know I'd never do something that stupid", then I had a flashback of a couple years ago where I was doing donuts in the snow with my kids in our Subaru Outback... and then I had a bunch of flashbacks of sooo many "stupid" things I did in military vehicles many years ago... so, absolutely thank you for sharing your experience as I clearly could see myself doing the same thing!

Also, bonus points for integrity!

 

[RexRemus]

“I was just driving along in a field…”

This is the post I came here looking for

 

[Desiboy]

Yeah transfer of damage to other components was my first concern as well. But that expense was outweighed by the possibility of having to hike 30 miles from the middle of nowhere because of a broken tie rod. I would rather make it off the trail and replace all of the damaged components at my expense.

Agree with above. Would rather be able to limp back to trailhead and figure out the repair expense later, hopefully the difference between the failure point of the tie rod end and upstream stearing components is a fair bit and the sleeve mitigates a damaged tie rod without upstream failure.

Ordered mine today from DHD, did you install yours?

 

[FooF]

Agree with above. Would rather be able to limp back to trailhead and figure out the repair expense later, hopefully the difference between the failure point of the tie rod end and upstream stearing components is a fair bit and the sleeve mitigates a damaged tie rod without upstream failure.

Ordered mine today from DHD, did you install yours?

Did not install yet will install when I rotate tires in a few more miles.

 

[Jdubcsu]

The sleeve will mitigate failure but they still fail with the sleeves in the right scenario but it can lend itself to rack failure.
If you ever wheeled a 4 runner you would know about this.
Personally I’d recommend carrying a spare inner tie rod if your wheeling guess on the alignment setting (look at the angle of the wheel) and limp it to a shop to align. You don’t have to go to rivian for an alignment (I’ve done mine at my shop) anyone with a newer spec machine that keeps it updated can do a toe alignment on one.

 

[SANZC02]

Agree with above. Would rather be able to limp back to trailhead and figure out the repair expense later, hopefully the difference between the failure point of the tie rod end and upstream stearing components is a fair bit and the sleeve mitigates a damaged tie rod without upstream failure.

Ordered mine today from DHD, did you install yours?

Do people not carry spare tie rods anymore for heavier off roading? When I was wheeling tie rods and full size spares were a must as part of the recovery kit.

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