Clunk noise (and feel) when accelerating and decelerating

[SeaRivian23]

Last week, SC replaced a leaking damper after I got a suspension warning light. While I didn’t notice it when I picked up the car (loud music …) it’s now making a clunk noise whenever I am accelerating or decelerating. It’s a distinct clunk, not too loud, but definitely new and I can also “feel” it in the steering wheel. I am surprised they didn’t notice it during the “quality check” they supposedly did… So I am going back to the SC next week but any ideas what it might be ? Wanna be prepared for the “it’s normal” push back I may get from them.

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[jrmbadger]

Sounds like it may be the half shafts - although it coming on suddenly is odd. If you search the forums you will see lots of threads on the half shaft issues.

 

[Oldcarguy]

Make sure you can duplicate it and get it checked out. The Houston Service Center has been great to work with. I normally take a tech on a drive to allow them to hear/experience an issue.

 

[FooF]

Raise to highest suspension setting and turn on tire change mode. Crawl under the Rivian and look for any loose bolts or suspension components.

 

[jjrivian]

I had a clunking noise before as you explained and the SC fixed it by installing a ting washer. It's been perfect since.

 

[Scrubangle]

My ’22 LE R1T had a similar issue last year with ~20K on the odometer. After crawling under the truck, I discovered that a rear suspension toe-link bolt had come loose. Fortunately, the bolt itself was still in place—the nut was missing. I made a quick trip to the hardware store to source a replacement in case the Service Center couldn’t get the truck in right away.

Even though I replaced the nut and torqued it to spec, the Service Center still went above and beyond. They had the truck towed to the SC and had a loaner R1T waiting for me. In the end, they replaced all associated parts and hardware, including the rear subframe, to ensure no tolerances had been compromised.

 

[Dutch]

I had the same problem. My mobile repair guy diagnosed it as a half shaft problem. He ultimately jacked up the truck and was able to reproduce the effect by wiggling the wheel. Since I live so far from the SC, he was able to replace them in my driveway.

 

[rogersmj]

I had the same problem. My mobile repair guy diagnosed it as a half shaft problem. He ultimately jacked up the truck and was able to reproduce the effect by wiggling the wheel. Since I live so far from the SC, he was able to replace them in my driveway.

Damn, I need my half shafts done but my mobile service guy wouldn’t do it. I have to wait a month and then do a three hour round trip to drop the car off, then another to go get it back when they finish

 

[Dutch]

That's a bummer. I guess I am lucky, my mobile person is really good at what he does.

 

[Jonger1150]

Is this the missing nut?

 

[Scrubangle]

@Jonger1150 - Yes, the nut was missing from the toe link bolt. The torque must have been out of spec then just vibrated off the bolt.

 

[Lonkyoung]

Last week, SC replaced a leaking damper after I got a suspension warning light. While I didn’t notice it when I picked up the car (loud music …) it’s now making a clunk noise whenever I am accelerating or decelerating. It’s a distinct clunk, not too loud, but definitely new and I can also “feel” it in the steering wheel. I am surprised they didn’t notice it during the “quality check” they supposedly did… So I am going back to the SC next week but any ideas what it might be ? Wanna be prepared for the “it’s normal” push back I may get from them.

I have had a similar noise for months. The noise reminds me of when a motor mount has failed, or maybe when a universal joint has developed slack. It clunks twice when I begin accelerating or once when I begin decelerating. Additionally, it happens the loudest and clunks 3 times immediately upon switching from conserve to all purpose mode.

It sounds like it's coming from the front. But interestingly, it doesn't occur when driving in conserve mode. So that sure seems to implicate the rear.

I have had it evaluated by Rivian 4 times. The first time, they found a front half shaft boot torn and the front half shaft broken so they replaced the shaft. Didn't fix it. Second time, they couldn't reproduce it (Houston roads are freakishly loud) but based on my description, suspected it was related to the clutch that engages the rear half shafts. Since they couldn't reproduce it, they just recommended "continued monitoring." Which didn't make any sense. The noise had been consistent for months. Third time was mobile in my neighborhood where we have nice streets. Tech clearly heard the noise, suspected it to be half shafts, but said it had to be serviced at the center -- where it is now. At this appointment drop off, the tech could hear the noise as I drove and also suspected the clutch was the problem. But, I just got a call from the Houston center saying a rear half shaft is the problem and is being replaced.

I'm not super confident it will fix the problem, but I'm hopeful! And it's true. The Houston service center is very professional and they really seem to be trying to fix the problem.

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