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Chittering? Fluttering? at steady speed, probably in front end

maddave12

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Clubs
 
Fortunately, my service appointment (scheduled 6-ish weeks ago) is coming up next Friday.

A couple days ago, I noticed an odd sound when I was holding steady speed, whether by pedal manipulation, or cruise control.

I have a hard time describing it, but it only happens at steady speed, and (with cabin fan off) is easy enough to hear I'm hoping the techs can detect it. It's there regardless of speed (noticed from 3mph to 60mph, although wind noise gets in the way as you go faster), although some attributes of it seem speed-influenced. My first analogy was: a chipmunk or squirrel chittering. While I accelerate or decelerate, it goes away. But, as soon as my speed is steady, it's back.

My best guess is it's coming from the passenger-side front, but it's quiet enough (so far) that I'm not positive. What I'm positive about is, that ain't a good sound.

I mentioned it to my wife, who said, "I wasn't going to say anything, but, yeah, I noticed that." If my wife noticed it, it's a real thing.

Has anyone else experienced something that this sounds like? I'd love to go into the service appointment armed with more info.

[edited to reduce typos and hopefully improve clarity]
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DaveA

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I've felt/heard that at times....it does seem to have gone away with the new FSAM with the washers.
 
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maddave12

maddave12

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Any chance you can get video of it?
Next time I'm in a situation where that's possible, I will try. Not sure how well my phone mic will pick it up, but it's worth a shot.
 
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maddave12

maddave12

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Here it is - it kicks in when I kept an even speed at 6mph, and then again when I leveled out at 11mph. Sounds like a trapped pigeon or chipmunk. Sorry for the hand-held video!
 

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BrianNakata

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I would highly recommend you reproduce the sound for a technician in order to avoid the disappointment of getting the truck back untouched with a "cannot reproduce" comment.

I follow this for any "noise related" issue or issues that require certain steps to occur.
 
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maddave12

maddave12

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I would highly recommend you reproduce the sound for a technician in order to avoid the disappointment of getting the truck back untouched with a "cannot reproduce" comment.

I follow this for any "noise related" issue or issues that require certain steps to occur.
Yes, I plan to, assuming I can get a tech to get in the truck when I drop it off at the SC.
 

240vPlug

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Clubs
 
Here it is - it kicks in when I kept an even speed at 6mph, and then again when I leveled out at 11mph. Sounds like a trapped pigeon or chipmunk. Sorry for the hand-held video!
Interesting. Almost sounds like a cat purring. Possibly the grille shudders? But that would only happen when they open or close. It wouldn't be constant.
 

TheIglu

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Likely drivetrain play and lash from differences in power delivery between front/rear or front/front motors.
 

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Mine does something similar at highway speeds at neutral throttle application on long gentle downhills. Basically when very little power is being needed to maintain speed.
 

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maddave12

maddave12

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Interesting...if that's the case I wonder if switching to conserve will change things up at all?
Good thought - I will try that on my way to the SC. Might be a relevant additional piece of info.

To be clear, I could live with it as-is, but I don't think it's an intended sound, and unintended sounds have a tendency to predate failures in time.
 

240vPlug

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Good thought - I will try that on my way to the SC. Might be a relevant additional piece of info.

To be clear, I could live with it as-is, but I don't think it's an intended sound, and unintended sounds have a tendency to predate failures in time.
Good call to get it checked out. Please let us know what happens. This can go into the Rivian KB 😎
 

DaveA

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Good thought - I will try that on my way to the SC. Might be a relevant additional piece of info.

To be clear, I could live with it as-is, but I don't think it's an intended sound, and unintended sounds have a tendency to predate failures in time.
Austin SC said "Could not replicate" on my first try to get it looked at.
 
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maddave12

maddave12

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The tech who rode with me at the SC recognized the sound. It's apparently a "known" sound, he says it's caused by a very slight gear size mismatch.

He says Rivian has torn apart a bunch of drive trains, and determined it's not causing excessive wear, so doesn't need addressing.

The truck's in to have its communications module fixed, which could be a day (if they only have to reset it, which I very much doubt), or a week if they need to install a new one, and apply firmware updates. The service manager was pretty sure they'd pre-ordered one to have it on hand for my appointment.

At least they provided me a nice loaner R1T.
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