Brake pad wear?

[MountainBikeDude]

As a data point, was noticing a slight grinding noise after some off roading and assumed it was a pebble between the inner rotor shield and rotor. As the days passed, and it wasn't going away, decided to pull the wheel and investigate.

Turns out the inner pad was worn completely at the base, beginning to score the inner face of the rotor, with the majority of the pad still left at the top. So worn to resemble a door stop.

Rivian is going to try to squeeze me in either today or tomorrow to investigate/repair which is awesome, they've been fantastic in getting this sorted so A+ on that front.

What I suspect is either the top of the pad was bound in some way, or the caliper has some air in it, causing it to only push inward with the lower pistons? Grasping at straws, but will update after it's repaired.

Following up.

Service looked over the issue and replaced both front rotors, pads, calipers and brake lines (not sure the extent of the lines replaced but assume it's just a small portion leading to each caliper) so far so good as I've put on nearly 2500kms since.

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[Wing]

Wow surprised they replaced everything, guess they just didn't know the issue.

Looks to me like the rust on the retaining pins will cause binding on the pads. Perhaps worth adding some antisieze on those pins early.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

Wow surprised they replaced everything, guess they just didn't know the issue.

Looks to me like the rust on the retaining pins will cause binding on the pads. Perhaps worth adding some antisieze on those pins early.

There were no signs of rust, that I noticed at least. I assume it was caliper related if the service procedure mentioned in the Work Order calls for the replacement of the calipers, lines, rotors, and pads.

 

[Wing]

In the photo above the pins looks really rusted, unless it's just mud.

 

[NY_Rob]

Speaking of rust...

Before purchasing my R1T I had several emails between myself and Rivian support mentioning my concerns about using my R1T for launching our boat in salt water. Their completely non-specific emails kept saying "The R1T was designed to ford xx inches of water, so launching your boat should be no problem". I kept bringing up the salt water issue, to which they kept replying "it should be no problem".

Well, I did my first tire rotation last month after owing the truck for 1y3months (only 3,000 miles on the odometer) and using it to launch our boat last summer. FYI- I had to slam the tires (protected by a section of 2x4) with a 4lb mallet multiple times and very hard to break the rims loose from the hubs on both rear axles due to rust caused by salt water immersion during boat launching.

After getting the rears off, I completely cleaned the rim bore and vehicle hub lip with a wire brush and ended up applying a liberal amount of the Permatex copper based never-seize to both surfaces before reinstalling the rear tires. The front tires came right off showing hardly any signs of rust as I never have to dip the fronts in the salt water when launching/retrieving the boat, but I cleaned them anyway and also applied the never-seize to them as well.

 

[zefram47]

Well, I did my first tire rotation last month after owing the truck for 1y3months (only 3,000 miles on the odometer) and using it to launch our boat last summer. FYI- I had to slam the tires (protected by a section of 2x4) with a 4lb mallet multiple times and very hard to break the rims loose from the hubs on both rear axles due to rust caused by salt water immersion during boat launching.

FWIW, I had to do the same when swapping my winter tires for the ATs again. So yes, salt water certainly would be worse, but just driving on salty, wet roads would do the same.

 

[doit82]

Agreed, but I've also done a solid amount of off-roading and regen reduction on some of the long stretches is common and have used the friction brakes to compensate. Still considering the wear, or lack of, on the outer pad, this is definitely an anomaly.

Im guessing this is exactly what is going on with mine, and i have heard the same from another VT driver. Must have to do with corrosion. As a point of reference i live on a dirt road but do not do off-roading, and keep the regen on most of the time.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

Im guessing this is exactly what is going on with mine, and i have heard the same from another VT driver. Must have to do with corrosion. As a point of reference i live on a dirt road but do not do off-roading, and keep the regen on most of the time.

For me I do a solid amount of off roading whenever I can. I also run exclusively in regen only and not brake assisted, so unless its a situation I need to stop suddenly, or regen is severely limited and not holding me back for stretch, then I'll periodically apply them, otherwise mostly untouched.

 

[doit82]

Following up.

Service looked over the issue and replaced both front rotors, pads, calipers and brake lines (not sure the extent of the lines replaced but assume it's just a small portion leading to each caliper) so far so good as I've put on nearly 2500kms since.

Did they cover this under warranty given the uneven extent of wear so early? Be good to know depending on what they say about mine. Thanks.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

Did they cover this under warranty given the uneven extent of wear so early? Be good to know depending on what they say about mine. Thanks.

Yes it was covered, no questions asked. Overall, despite the issue and some part shipping delays, my experience was solid and they were awesome.

 

[doit82]

Yes it was covered, no questions asked. Overall, despite the issue and some part shipping delays, my experience was solid and they were awesome.

That is great to know. Can I ask how many miles you had on your truck at the time and the service center that did the service? Want to make sure i have all my details if they try to charge me for it as from yours and others experience this does not seem like 'normal wear and tear'.

 

[doit82]

That is great to know. Can I ask how many miles you had on your truck at the time and the service center that did the service? Want to make sure i have all my details if they try to charge me for it as from yours and others experience this does not seem like 'normal wear and tear'.

Follow up....

Chelsea service center is refusing to cover parts or labor for this, calling it 'normal wear and tear'. Pretty disappointing as i have never seen asymmetric brake pad wear like this on any previous vehicle, especially one where the brakes are hardly used. Said i should power wash the wheel wells once a month....Cant wait to do that in December through February in VT.

This is clearly a rivian specific issue in certain climates and I hope they come up with a better solution soon.

 

[SolartoEV]

Follow up....

Chelsea service center is refusing to cover parts or labor for this, calling it 'normal wear and tear'. Pretty disappointing as i have never seen asymmetric brake pad wear like this on any previous vehicle, especially one where the brakes are hardly used. Said i should power wash the wheel wells once a month....Cant wait to do that in December through February in VT.

This is clearly a rivian specific issue in certain climates and I hope they come up with a better solution soon.

I was just told the same thing. I replaced my front pads myself and will do that back when needed. I hope there are some after market rotors available soon

 

[Wing]

Are the pads on rockauto the correct ones?

Will rivian sell parts at all or are they anti repair?

 

[Riviot]

Follow up....

Chelsea service center is refusing to cover parts or labor for this, calling it 'normal wear and tear'. Pretty disappointing as i have never seen asymmetric brake pad wear like this on any previous vehicle, especially one where the brakes are hardly used. Said i should power wash the wheel wells once a month....Cant wait to do that in December through February in VT.

This is clearly a rivian specific issue in certain climates and I hope they come up with a better solution soon.

How many miles did you have?

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