Brake rotors wearing quesiton

[shap]

Guys,

Quick question - 29k miles, QM. I turned off assistant breaking from when it was first introduced.
So using high regen only.

I see that rotors are not wearing evenly - the right front wearing a bit faster (it is more "polished"),
also, it is worn a bit more close to the hub center: (also I see a bit more dust)

The front left has a bit less wearing and less "polished" and almost no dust:

The rear rotors look perfectly fine like never used.

Is it normal? Is it supposed to be even?

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[JamboF4]

Guys,

Quick question - 29k miles, QM. I turned off assistant breaking from when it was first introduced.
So using high regen only.

I see that rotors are not wearing evenly - the right front wearing a bit faster (it is more "polished"),
also, it is worn a bit more close to the hub center: (also I see a bit more dust)

The front left has a bit less wearing and less "polished" and almost no dust:

The rear rotors look perfectly fine like never used.

Is it normal? Is it supposed to be even?

What are these brakes of which you speak? Haha

 

[R1Thor]

The design of brakes like this, they're absolutely meant to evenly wear.

The short of it is: it seems like during manufacturing, the carrier pins weren't all greased adequately.
If you're mechanically inclined and comfortable with brakes, pull the calipers, clean and re-grease the pins generously.

If you're not, find a service center or mechanic who is.

As far as whether or not you can get this covered 'under warranty,' it seems like (mostly) no. Since brakes are considered a wear-item this is a very grey area and Rivian knows that. TO date, the few other reports of asymmetrical wear has resulted in owners paying for new pads.

That said, I personally would be making strong arguments for the fact that the system isn't operating as designed if there is uneven wear. I can't promise that'll get you very far.

BUT, it's good you found this early. Hope you get it resolved quickly and effectively.

 

[Greg Chick]

I did not know the brakes were being used without my foot! When was this applied? The real question is, what is more expensive, brakes, tires of the benifit of recharging.

 

[shap]

I did not know the brakes were being used without my foot! When was this applied? The real question is, what is more expensive, brakes, tires of the benifit of recharging.

Yep, they applied when you stopped (last second or 2), when you applied them manually by using the brake pedal, or if you turned on assistance breaking in the setting (really bad thing to do IMHO).

Rotors and pads are more than 2k to replace. However, without regen you will replace them every 30k I think... Ideally, with EVs, you should never replace breaks, but Rivian work hard to make sure you will

As a side note - my post was not about using breaks, but about uneven rotor wearing. This should not happen with the front caliper design IMHO.

More and more time I own this truck, I realize how many design issues this truck has with all the great things this truck if offering...

I am in TX, the truck is in the garage and I am not doing any offroading. There is no reason for caliper pistons to stuck unless they were not greased initially.

 

[beatle]

Yes, it's likely the pins need to be greased. Lack of use can also cause the brakes to seize, wear unevenly, and also not work as well. My 2015 Model S was a rust belt car and the front brake pads were mostly seized.

I'd turn on braking assist (it's great) and grease the pins. Brakes are cheap. Use them if you need them.

 

[Greg Chick]

Yep, they applied when you stopped (last second or 2), when you applied them manually by using the brake pedal, or if you turned on assistance breaking in the setting (really bad thing to do IMHO).

Rotors and pads are more than 2k to replace. However, without regen you will replace them every 30k I think... Ideally, with EVs, you should never replace breaks, but Rivian work hard to make sure you will

As a side note - my post was not about using breaks, but about uneven rotor wearing. This should not happen with the front caliper design IMHO.

More and more time I own this truck, I realize how many design issues this truck has with all the great things this truck if offering...

I am in TX, the truck is in the garage and I am not doing any offroading. There is no reason for caliper pistons to stuck unless they were not greased initially.

I don't think I selected such a thing, I will look to see, I agree a bad choice to add braking in place of regen. However, high regen may wear out tires?

 

[shap]

I don't think I selected such a thing, I will look to see, I agree a bad choice to add braking in place of regen. However, high regen may wear out tires?

Depends on the tires. I had OEM 21" Pirellis and after 17k they were down to 6/32. I moved to 20" with Goodyear Rivian OEM, and after 13k they are down from 10.8/32 to 9/32. All high regen.

 

[Greg Chick]

Depends on the tires. I had OEM 21" Pirellis and after 17k they were down to 6/32. I moved to 20" with Goodyear Rivian OEM, and after 13k they are down from 10.8/32 to 9/32. All high regen.

Mine are 21" the Pirelli Scorpions the fronts got more wear than yours. I have Michlen Defenders, now on rear, and doing much better. I may switch to high Regen on freeway or straight roads/long trips.

Those OEM tires were too soft but were likely used to get short braking distances and snow performance ratings.

 

[R1Thor]

I don't think I selected such a thing, I will look to see, I agree a bad choice to add braking in place of regen. However, high regen may wear out tires?

It's not an opt in. It's an opt out.
Your truck is using blended braking unless you specifically disabled it.

 

[sherold]

It's not an opt in. It's an opt out.
Your truck is using blended braking unless you specifically disabled it.

*Only in specific scenarios is it automatically using the hydraulic brakes in addition to regenerative braking.

From Update 2023.50.01
Regenerative Brake Assist
The new Regenerative Brake Assist feature improved deceleration performance in cold climates, on long downhills, and in vehicle high states of charge by blending more consistently and seamlessly with standard braking. To disable this feature, go to Settings > Driver+ > Regen Brake Assist.

 

[shap]

*Only in specific scenarios is it automatically using the hydraulic brakes in addition to regenerative braking.

From Update 2023.50.01
Regenerative Brake Assist
The new Regenerative Brake Assist feature improved deceleration performance in cold climates, on long downhills, and in vehicle high states of charge by blending more consistently and seamlessly with standard braking. To disable this feature, go to Settings > Driver+ > Regen Brake Assist.

Right, the problem is that you do not see any indication this happening. Especially on decent, you can burn through your breaks very fast.

 

[R1Thor]

*Only in specific scenarios is it automatically using the hydraulic brakes in addition to regenerative braking.

From Update 2023.50.01
Regenerative Brake Assist
The new Regenerative Brake Assist feature improved deceleration performance in cold climates, on long downhills, and in vehicle high states of charge by blending more consistently and seamlessly with standard braking. To disable this feature, go to Settings > Driver+ > Regen Brake Assist.

Correct.
I never stated otherwise, but thanks for expanding upon the statement for clarity.

 

[sherold]

Right, the problem is that you do not see any indication this happening. Especially on decent, you can burn through your breaks very fast.

I feel like the indicator is there, just likely not glaringly obvious what is happening to the majority of drivers.
If the Regen Brake Assist option is turned on, I would assume it is using some amount of hydraulic braking unless you see that you are getting full regen power from the power meter. Not the most concise indicator but, its there.

 

[Eric9610]

Eventually this may turn into a class action issue. Improper installation at the factory is a manufacturing defect not a use caused issue. If the pins are not greased and causing the wear prematurely it should be covered. Seems we are seeing a lot of poor factory setups.

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