Adjusting R1S liftgate / tailgate alignment -- how-to DIY instructions

[gregtay]

My new R1S was delivered with a tailgate/liftgate that didn't align well when closed (seemed like it simply wasn't closed all the way). I decided to just try to fix it myself... and surprisingly it was super simple.

The main latch has a decent amount of adjustment in it, so I loosened the three bolts, slide it back a bit, tightened the bolts, and then tested the door. SO MUCH BETTER!

You can also adjust the tailgate position by moving the latches on the left and right that it latches to. I didn't want to mess around too much, just wanted to make the simply/easy adjustments. I am sure you can fix just about any misalignment with the right amount of time. The trim panels over the latches just pulls off to give you access to the bolts.

Yes... I filed a support ticket, but I figured I'd probably spend the right amount of time to get it perfect. Driver side alignment still isn't as perfect as I want it, but it is least looks like the door is closed properly. there is still something a little weird going on near the bottom of the rear window. Might mess with it a bit more when I have some more time.

Before:

After:

The bolts for adjusting the upper door:

Sponsored

 

[jpmc86]

Good info - thanks for making this a thread.

So let me see if I understand correctly. By adjusting the latch actuator towards the back of the car, it pulled the upper lift gate inwards?

 

[jpmc86]

With regards to the left adjustment needed with the lights, you can move the lift gate upwards by moving the upper hinge towards the front of the car.

Be careful, as when you shut it it might interfere with the radius of the top lid with the roof.

I would obviously close it manually and not automatically to get a better sense of what’s going on. I believe there is an option to disable the assist in the settings.

 

[gregtay]

Good info - thanks for making this a thread.

So let me see if I understand correctly. By adjusting the latch actuator towards the back of the car, it pulled the upper lift gate inwards?

yep

 

[gregtay]

With regards to the left adjustment needed with the lights, you can move the lift gate upwards by moving the upper hinge towards the front of the car.

Be careful, as when you shut it it might interfere with the radius of the top lid with the roof.

I would obviously close it manually and not automatically to get a better sense of what’s going on. I believe there is an option to disable the assist in the settings.

Is that done by loosening the two bolts at the upper liftgate hinge?

 

[jpmc86]

Is that done by loosening the two bolts at the upper liftgate hinge?

Correct! The way the service center did it was by supporting the door with some plastic stick from the inside of the car. Then they did a variation of overextending the Liftgate upwards (don’t know if I really liked it) and with some form of a rubber mallet and pushing the latch itself.

 

[Sgt Beavis]

Do y'all think this technique might fix this? ?

 

[sevengroove]

Do y'all think this technique might fix this? ?

"within spec" - Rivian service center

 

[sparetimetoys]

Do y'all think this technique might fix this? ?

If that hitch cover should happen to fall off and get lost I sure could use it ?

 

[moosetags]

My new R1S was delivered with a tailgate/liftgate that didn't align well when closed (seemed like it simply wasn't closed all the way). I decided to just try to fix it myself... and surprisingly it was super simple.

The main latch has a decent amount of adjustment in it, so I loosened the three bolts, slide it back a bit, tightened the bolts, and then tested the door. SO MUCH BETTER!

You can also adjust the tailgate position by moving the latches on the left and right that it latches to. I didn't want to mess around too much, just wanted to make the simply/easy adjustments. I am sure you can fix just about any misalignment with the right amount of time. The trim panels over the latches just pulls off to give you access to the bolts.

Yes... I filed a support ticket, but I figured I'd probably spend the right amount of time to get it perfect. Driver side alignment still isn't as perfect as I want it, but it is least looks like the door is closed properly. there is still something a little weird going on near the bottom of the rear window. Might mess with it a bit more when I have some more time.

Before:

After:

The bolts for adjusting the upper door:

That is a great post. Thank you for this information. Probably many of these panel alignment issues can be DIY situations.

We took Factory Delivery of our R1T about two months ago. During the factory tour, we saw Rivian technicians painstakingly measuring panel gaps and making adjustments. Our R1T had perfect panel alignment. I believe that many of the panel misalignment issues are created by the by the bouncing and banging around that the vehicles go through on various trains and trucks as they make their way to delivery points.

Brian

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

My new R1S was delivered with a tailgate/liftgate that didn't align well when closed (seemed like it simply wasn't closed all the way). I decided to just try to fix it myself... and surprisingly it was super simple.

The main latch has a decent amount of adjustment in it, so I loosened the three bolts, slide it back a bit, tightened the bolts, and then tested the door. SO MUCH BETTER!

You can also adjust the tailgate position by moving the latches on the left and right that it latches to. I didn't want to mess around too much, just wanted to make the simply/easy adjustments. I am sure you can fix just about any misalignment with the right amount of time. The trim panels over the latches just pulls off to give you access to the bolts.

Yes... I filed a support ticket, but I figured I'd probably spend the right amount of time to get it perfect. Driver side alignment still isn't as perfect as I want it, but it is least looks like the door is closed properly. there is still something a little weird going on near the bottom of the rear window. Might mess with it a bit more when I have some more time.

Before:

After:

The bolts for adjusting the upper door:

Nice work!

 

[cohall]

Thanks for this.

I would love a similar write-up on how to adjust the bottom of the rear doors. I've always felt like the bottom of both my back doors are inset more than the front. But, no idea how to fix it and it's not enough to ask the SC to work on it.

Anyone? Bueller?

 

[Dark-Fx]

Do y'all think this technique might fix this? ?

Would be easier to stop letting people up your rear-end.

 

[Sevn86]

My new R1S was delivered with a tailgate/liftgate that didn't align well when closed (seemed like it simply wasn't closed all the way). I decided to just try to fix it myself... and surprisingly it was super simple.

The main latch has a decent amount of adjustment in it, so I loosened the three bolts, slide it back a bit, tightened the bolts, and then tested the door. SO MUCH BETTER!

You can also adjust the tailgate position by moving the latches on the left and right that it latches to. I didn't want to mess around too much, just wanted to make the simply/easy adjustments. I am sure you can fix just about any misalignment with the right amount of time. The trim panels over the latches just pulls off to give you access to the bolts.

Yes... I filed a support ticket, but I figured I'd probably spend the right amount of time to get it perfect. Driver side alignment still isn't as perfect as I want it, but it is least looks like the door is closed properly. there is still something a little weird going on near the bottom of the rear window. Might mess with it a bit more when I have some more time.

Before:

After:

The bolts for adjusting the upper door:

Thank you!!! I will attempt this today. Maybe one less item on my ticket for the SC.
My rear window trim was sticking up and I just attached it with some double sided tape for the time being.

 

[Batman]

Thx for sharing. My R1S is at service center now for several items, this being one of them. If it doesn't come aligned, I will try this myself.

Sponsored