Creaking Sound When Turning Steering Wheel Fixed Twice So Far

[treyrich2001]

I'm looking to get some information/help. I've had this issue with my R1S since delivery, the issue is that the steering wheel emits a creaking sound when turned in either direction past about 45°. You can vaguely feel the creak in your hands on the wheel as well.

I tried my buddy's R1S and his does the same thing as well, which tells me that this may be a larger build quality issue and is likely not specific to my vehicle. I've searched around and it seems as though several people have expressed having similar issues, but I'm not certain if only a select few people (myself included) are sensitive to this sound, but it feels like I'm grinding something inside of the wheel.

I've had the vehicle in for service twice and each time they say it's repaired, and it is, but it has returned within 48 hours of the service appointment each time. I've got a 3rd service appointment scheduled, but this is getting exhausting.

So here's my questions for those that might be more familiar than I am:

1. Does this happen on every Rivian vehicle and should I just live with it?
2. In the last service invoice this was what was reported "Removed air bag assembly and reinspected for creak noise while airbag was off, noise was not present. Inspected steering wheel wiring, airbag assembly and clock spring functionality. Found one rubber standoff dislodged from air bag assembly, properly installed rubber standoff on airbag and test drove vehicle, creak noise no longer present after reinstalling rubber standoff."
   
   With this said, is anyone familiar with the guts of the airbag assembly and know whether this might be something that would be possible to tear into on my own to attempt to engineer a permanent solution?

I've attached a video of the sound, it's highly compressed but the audio should hopefully come through.

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[electruck]

Can't say I've ever heard that noise myself.

 

[Jared2]

I’ve had that ever since I got it almost a year ago (R1S). I’ve sort of forgotten about it.

 

[treyrich2001]

Based on the responses, sounds like it's about 50/50 ?. Sample size leaves a bit to be desired though...

 

[verchalent]

I have this in my R1T if I need to drop speed coming into a turn. I've checked it a few times and had tech's look. So at present I just live with it and use it to remind me to take brake a bit earlier when turning.

 

[jambaman84]

Our R1S made that noise, it was a bit louder than yours. They fixed it.. it returned.. they fixed it again, and so far it hasn't come back. But it's definitely not normal and make them fix it.

 

[zefram47]

Pretty sure mine does this...have just ignored it.

 

[Masahara]

Same here since day 1 of delivery which was a week ago. No idea what it is but will keep watching this thread.

 

[treyrich2001]

I have mine in for the 4th time about this issue. It’s been fixed each time, then come back within 24 hours.
I was told by the service center that it shouldn’t do this and that they’re escalating it to the corporate engineering team this time and that I should expect to be without my car for at least a week.
Will update when I get it back.

 

[JonBoyR1T]

My truck is in the shop this week getting the PTC covered installed and I raised this same concern. My creaking sound is the same and started about 2 weeks after I got the truck. The tech heard and initially said that there probably isnt much they can do as this is the way they are which sounded ridiculous to me but he did say they will look at it and see what they can possibly do.

 

[KeithPleas]

I've had mine looked at twice in the first year - and I'm hearing more of a rasping than a creaking. They said it was the brushes for the electrical making contact. It's only marginally better and I'm just living with it.

 

[nelw]

Any update on this? I think I have a similar sound coming from my wheel as well.

 

[treyrich2001]

Yes, sorry I never reported back. After 4 service appointments it is finally resolved. The last service appointment invoice said

“Technician heard noise coming from the air bag and plastic trim pieces on the steering wheel. Technician removed and replaced air bag and adjusted trim. At this time, clicking noises from the steering wheel is no longer present. Had Lead technician verified noise is no longer present at this time.”

I’m guessing it had more to do with the plastic trim and less to do with the airbag, but after this service I haven’t heard this again

 

[4WD]

I’m in this boat too. I tried to take the column cover off but can’t find the pieces for sale that are separated so I can see how they are actually clamshelled together since it’s still
Under warranty.

 

[mitchelmb]

I also developed this issues for the last 6 months or so. Will be having addressed with a few other things in january.

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