Clunking sound from front end.

[riivian]

I had this issue on my 2022 R1T Quad and it drove me nuts. After updated halfshafts and hubs (a couple times) and all the other fixes mention(re-torquing and grease etc) here. Turns out the thing that solves this is that there is a TSB(Technical Service Bulletin) on the R1T and some R1S vehicles too. My R1T was not in the affected VIN list in Rivian's system, but since the Service Center had exhausted all option, I had persistence and they did too. Turns out the following TSB is the solution to the "operating as designed". It is an updated bolt and wash they put in the hub. Totally fixed it after the 5th visit and the truck has been solid with no clunk. This should solve the mystery problem we all have had.

Now I know I don't have to convince myself that I am going to have to life with it, because I could not get past it. Feels like a new truck all over again and easy fix. If it's not saying your VIN is affected, then ask them to please include yours despite the VIN numbers to get resolution to this game changing fix. Remember the thing that actually fixed it was the "updated washer and bolt into the hub". The washer has a new shape to it and that's the ticket!

Here are the details:

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Rivian has released a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) regarding a “clunk” noise in the front end of some vehicles. The issue has been traced to the front wheel hub assembly and the associated bolt. The solution provided by Rivian involves replacing the affected front wheel hub assembly and the bolt to eliminate the noise.

TSB Details:

• Affected Vehicles: Specific VIN ranges of Rivian R1T and R1S models.

• Symptom: A noticeable “clunk” noise coming from the front end, particularly when driving over bumps or during low-speed maneuvers.

• Cause: The noise is caused by play in the front wheel hub assembly due to an insufficiently torqued or defective bolt.


• Solution:


1. Inspect the front wheel hub assembly and the bolt.


2. Replace the hub assembly and the bolt with updated parts as per Rivian’s specifications.


3. Ensure the new bolt is torqued to the correct specification.


Rivian advises owners experiencing this issue to contact their service center to schedule the replacement. This fix is covered under warranty for affected vehicles.

This TSB should improve ride quality and eliminate the clunking noise for affected Rivian owners.
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[sogorman]

Yes, I don't know the VINs but about the same age and all are Quads

 

[MannyMan]

Yes, I don't know the VINs but about the same age and all are Quads

That's weird... The SC assured me they tried 3 different QM trucks just like mine and they all sound the same. I should have gone on a test drive with them to verify that.. You made me kinda suspicious.......

 

[sogorman]

Yup... this may be 'Normal' for some trucks but the truck i took on a test drive and my friends trucks are dead quiet. Make an appointment for a demo drive, willing to bet $100 that it will be clunk free.

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

My driver side half shaft has that play as well....BUT....if I change ride height to highest it doesn't move at all. I have been in many different T and S vehicles. They all make clunks at different times. I think it is something with the dampers but I have no solid proof of this.

 

[riivian]

My driver side half shaft has that play as well....BUT....if I change ride height to highest it doesn't move at all. I have been in many different T and S vehicles. They all make clunks at different times. I think it is something with the dampers but I have no solid proof of this.

The play you are seeing is the clunk and is likely coming from having the old hub nut with old washer. Try having then swap it out. I known this seems to good to be true but it was. In order to for it to be able to move it has to move on both ends and it can “appear” to be on the inner but it’s the outer that moved since they are connected. The washer and nut tighten it up so it’s quiet again. I could not believe the never ending climb went away. I started driving differently when accelerated and stopped in order to avoid the clunking noise. After they fixed it, it felt so strange to just drive normal as I realized how much I was adjusting my driving style.

 

[Marchin_MTB]

I am 90% certain this is the issue on my gen1 R1T. Had an appointment for tomorrow but I moved it out as I didn’t think it would accomplish much aside from loosing the truck for a week and maybe a repacked cv. Denver SC did tell me that low speed clunk shouldn’t be happening but I’m not optimistic they would act on it.

I can continue to live with the noise but I was worried that the components would eventually wear themselves out…

How do we lobby for a customer satisfaction campaign to get better half shafts?

 

[MannyMan]

I am 90% certain this is the issue on my gen1 R1T. Had an appointment for tomorrow but I moved it out as I didn’t think it would accomplish much aside from loosing the truck for a week and maybe a repacked cv. Denver SC did tell me that low speed clunk shouldn’t be happening but I’m not optimistic they would act on it.

I can continue to live with the noise but I was worried that the components would eventually wear themselves out…

How do we lobby for a customer satisfaction campaign to get better half shafts?

What's weird is that the SC advisor and tech treated me like I'm crazy and it's the first time they've heard of this issue... PHX SC.

 

[jmtreetop]

I had mine in the Denver SC last week for front suspension clunks and did a test drive with the technician. He acknowledged the noise but mentioned it was normal in this vehicle. Between the squeaking and the clunks when going over bumps it’s so loud to drive.

 

[chi-chi]

Not surprised this is not unique to my vehicle. I did have it at the SC but they said it was normal and they refilled fluid in something suspension related but it still remains. What I did find is that switching from soft to the middle has helped alot with the clunking or I'm imagining that it has. If anyone can also try this and report back..

 

[MannyMan]

Not surprised this is not unique to my vehicle. I did have it at the SC but they said it was normal and they refilled fluid in something suspension related but it still remains. What I did find is that switching from soft to the middle has helped alot with the clunking or I'm imagining that it has. If anyone can also try this and report back..

Mine gets worse when I drive in Moderate, rather than Soft. It's the worst and sounds really crappy(like an unmaintained 1999 Geo metro. Just very loose) in Firm.

 

[Voronbrg]

I had a intermittent clunk in the front end, service center said its normal. A few thousand miles outside of warranty my front end sank and bottoms out parked (air bag/air leak issues). Waiting for service center appointment.

 

[Voronbrg]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. My concern was something loose unique to my vehicle. Sounds like, pun intended, there's something in the design such as a floating piston in the strut making the noise. Hard to say then.

The under body panel is definitely a clip issue. Somebody took mine apart before delivery and the clips got bent. They are pretty flimsy. I simply put glue on the clips to reinforce and put it back. I probably voided any warranty claim by doing that but then there's constructively no warranty as waiting months and it being more costly to go to a service center back and forth multiple times than just fix it myself.

I wouldn't mind fabricating some metal panels for this position.

I used double sided tape on mine while installing the RMAX running boards.

 

[Jonger1150]

How on earth did these trucks get built with this part of the design.

It's only normal because the majority of the trucks are impacted.

 

[tk21]

Mine has done this since day one (20000 miles and almost two years). I left my truck with them for a month last fall, and they still couldn’t fix it. They replaced my shock, an upper control arm, and even retrofit the new cast front subframe to replace the original weldment front subframe. It still makes the exact same noise (basically exactly what you describe, OP). I guess it’s not the front suspension. It’s either the chassis itself, or something else loose on the front end.

Every time I drive my wife’s etron, I get very sad about how crap the Rivian suspension is.

Same here

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