Steering wheel shimmy/vibration at higher speeds - looking for a solution (alignment is fine)

[Loelee16]

My work order only includes the part number but here’s the link to the TSB: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10238719-0001.pdf

Thank you. I just created another service ticket and attached the bulletin and you work order.

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[drbiggieg]

Thank you. I just created another service ticket and attached the bulletin and you work order.

Since starting this thread I’ve had my steering wheel replaced, as well as other suspension components - both half shafts, both front struts and the front support arm.

With all of these changes and the tires having been rebalanced by discount, it has been a considerable improvement. I’m currently on 20” wheels with the OEM scorpions.

In my opinion, the revisions on the suspension components on Rivian’s side have improved the overall ride and comfort quite a bit. The ones they put it are either v2 or v3 reversions of those components. I wish it came like this originally. It’s a much better vehicle now.

 

[Ngkgb]

I didn’t have this problem — went in for service for the knuckle fastener and came back with steering wobble and rougher ride.

Same tires, same everything. Just only change is the SC visit.

Makes me think a lot of you might be having an issue that’s not due to the tire or balancing.

Thai happened to me too. Had subframe replaced and started having wobbling. Had tires rebalanced and was good for a few weeks, but it then came back. Currently at Service center getting front drive unit replaced. We’ll see if that makes a difference.

 

[aonic]

Thai happened to me too. Had subframe replaced and started having wobbling. Had tires rebalanced and was good for a few weeks, but it then came back. Currently at Service center getting front drive unit replaced. We’ll see if that makes a difference.

The SC is currently diagnosing the issue as a possible alignment issue. Let’s see how it feels when I get it back

 

[Loelee16]

Since starting this thread I’ve had my steering wheel replaced, as well as other suspension components - both half shafts, both front struts and the front support arm.

With all of these changes and the tires having been rebalanced by discount, it has been a considerable improvement. I’m currently on 20” wheels with the OEM scorpions.

In my opinion, the revisions on the suspension components on Rivian’s side have improved the overall ride and comfort quite a bit. The ones they put it are either v2 or v3 reversions of those components. I wish it came like this originally. It’s a much better vehicle now.

So far Ri

Thai happened to me too. Had subframe replaced and started having wobbling. Had tires rebalanced and was good for a few weeks, but it then came back. Currently at Service center getting front drive unit replaced. We’ll see if that makes a difference.

My rabbit hole started when original 20AT tires were super loud and pulling to right when accelerating 50 and up. A SC blamed it was tires. Then I noticed one of the tires was 3/32 and rest were 6/32 and above. So I changed to KO3 and still pulling. Went back to a SC and told them but they still blamed tires and wanted to charge $265 or so to swap out wheels with OE tires to diagnose. I didn’t want to pay so I made another appointment with a different SC. The new SC came back and said they needed to replace front subframe and drive unit. After replacing, pulling went away but shimmy. The SC then blamed KO3. So I went back to DT and they changed another new set of KO3 and Michelin Defender Platinum. But still shimmy and SC now blaming it has to do with road conditions.

So yea I had my subframe and front drive unit replaced too but still having wobbling. I told SC to look at steering wheel replacement and they ignored it.

 

[Ngkgb]

So far Ri

My rabbit hole started when original 20AT tires were super loud and pulling to right when accelerating 50 and up. A SC blamed it was tires. Then I noticed one of the tires was 3/32 and rest were 6/32 and above. So I changed to KO3 and still pulling. Went back to a SC and told them but they still blamed tires and wanted to charge $265 or so to swap out wheels with OE tires to diagnose. I didn’t want to pay so I made another appointment with a different SC. The new SC came back and said they needed to replace front subframe and drive unit. After replacing, pulling went away but shimmy. The SC then blamed KO3. So I went back to DT and they changed another new set of KO3 and Michelin Defender Platinum. But still shimmy and SC now blaming it has to do with road conditions.

So yea I had my subframe and front drive unit replaced too but still having wobbling. I told SC to look at steering wheel replacement and they ignored it.

Dang. I’ll report back once I get my truck back.

 

[aonic]

Update on my issue. They did the alignment it fixed the pulling away issue but the shimmy is still here.

They say the shimmy is normal but I had the same tires, same car, and it didn’t shimmy until I got it back after my last service center visit

 

[Loelee16]

Yup I was told the same thing about shimmy. On my last visit, they blamed on road conditions. I’m going to tell them to look into steering wheel on my next visit. There is no way it’s normal.

 

[aonic]

Yup I was told the same thing about shimmy. On my last visit, they blamed on road conditions. I’m going to tell them to look into steering wheel on my next visit. There is no way it’s normal.

My issue started after they did some work on the steering wheel controls and the knuckle fastener.

at this point I’m also thinking they messed up something in the steering wheel when they were putting it back together

 

[kyledmb]

Does anyone know what might cause steering wheel vibration and sloppiness at low speeds (<40mph)?

I have this. Truck seems to do better at >45mph. Alignment doesn't seem to be an issue at all.

 

[aonic]

Does anyone know what might cause steering wheel vibration and sloppiness at low speeds (<40mph)?

I have this. Truck seems to do better at >45mph. Alignment doesn't seem to be an issue at all.

alignment + road force balance seems to have fixed my problems

 

[drbiggieg]

alignment + road force balance seems to have fixed my problems

That's great news! It does sound like a lot of people are having success with a proper road force balance. There's mention in other posts of the tolerance on the road force being below a certain number due to the noted steering sensitivity of our cars.

 

[phoenix_foundation]

My truck has been in service for two weeks with the same shimmy concern. It’s been in multiple times for the same concern. They are finally applying the TSB but they also got engineering involved. I can update with any news when I get my truck back.

 

[DD4ST]

Like some others have experienced, don’t rule out bad Pirelli tires. I’ve had two(!) 22 Pirellis replaced as defective. The first was one of the stock tires that came on the truck. The SC tried road force rebalancing at 500 miles and said one could not be balanced within spec. Had to go to Discount Tire for the warranty claim but they were great. But then my wife busted this tire on a concrete step and I had to buy another from Discount Tire. The new Pirelli tire obtained by Discount Tire was also defective and had to be replaced. DT also did road force balancing. When time comes to get a whole new set, they ain’t going to be Pirellis.

 

[ham]

My truck has been in service for two weeks with the same shimmy concern. It’s been in multiple times for the same concern. They are finally applying the TSB but they also got engineering involved. I can update with any news when I get my truck back.

I went through this whole rodeo and they never fixed it. Ended up suing and lemoning the vehicle. Don’t let them gaslight you that having a vibrating steering wheel driving around at 65mph is normal.

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