Clunking sound from front end.

[Electrified Outdoors]

I am convinced its the dampers...I have no concrete evidence of this unfortunately. After talking with another member via phone I set my suspension on 'Soft'. I typically drive it in either moderate or firm settings. When I set it on soft the noise was still there but much less prevalent. Switching from moderate to firm does not produce any noticeable difference in sound for me....but...for some reason soft lessens it.

With that said soft is too soft and I can't drive around in that setting all the time. Rivian has redesigned dampers supposedly (based on various posts around the internet that I have read).

I don't believe my noise is half shaft related because of the up/down movement (doesn't have to be a bump). My half shafts have pretty much zero up/down play in them and minimal in/out movement (some in/out movement is normal).

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[MannyMan]

I am convinced its the dampers...I have no concrete evidence of this unfortunately. After talking with another member via phone I set my suspension on 'Soft'. I typically drive it in either moderate or firm settings. When I set it on soft the noise was still there but much less prevalent. Switching from moderate to firm does not produce any noticeable difference in sound for me....but...for some reason soft lessens it.

With that said soft is too soft and I can't drive around in that setting all the time. Rivian has redesigned dampers supposedly (based on various posts around the internet that I have read).

I don't believe my noise is half shaft related because of the up/down movement (doesn't have to be a bump). My half shafts have pretty much zero up/down play in them and minimal in/out movement (some in/out movement is normal).

SC installed new shocks and dampers(redesigned) in my truck. My issues still persist.

 

[Jonger1150]

SC installed new shocks and dampers(redesigned) in my truck. My issues still persist.

Because you're hearing the half-shafts hitting the side of the motor and hub. I bet some of the damper related clunks are gone.

There's no fix for this.

My service center must have low volume because my powered tonneau cover came in and I was able to get an appointment next week.

I'm going to have the tires rotated and have them check the latest steering knuckle issue considering my build date, but I might not have any other items mentioned. I will try to get the dampers replaced during the warranty period, but that's it.

I will pick their brain about these issues though.

This sound like what you're hearing?

 

[MannyMan]

Because you're hearing the half-shafts hitting the side of the motor and hub. I bet some of the damper related clunks are gone.

There's no fix for this.

This sound like what you're hearing?

Yes! Sounds just like that. On pot holes and speed bumps when the suspension travels through the range!

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

Yes! Sounds just like that. On pot holes and speed bumps when the suspension travels through the range!

can you feel it in the steering wheel? Does it feel like something is hitting the underneath of the truck?

 

[kyledmb]

That video is totally the sound, and the clearest reproduction of it I've heard on video. In the car driving, it produces a rattling-like sound when on uneven pavement. Mine seems to get worse by the month.

Jonger, is that you under the truck rattling the half-shaft by hand?

 

[kyledmb]

can you feel it in the steering wheel? Does it feel like something is hitting the underneath of the truck?

I can definitely feel it in the steering and handling of the vehicle. However, it wasn't always that way. It started as just a light sound, then became more pronounced until finally affecting the driving feel of the vehicle. I'd say this whole saga started at about 7,000 miles. I'm currently at 13,000.

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

I can definitely feel it in the steering and handling of the vehicle. However, it wasn't always that way. It started as just a light sound, then became more pronounced until finally affecting the driving feel of the vehicle. I'd say this whole saga started at about 7,000 miles. I'm currently at 13,000.

Yeah my steering feels weird...like it has more play than it should. Like it requires more steering input when turning left vs turning right. Mine started around 12k and has gotten progressively worse currently at 22k. I have also noticed...may or may not be related...that the vehicle will surge sometimes under light acceleration. I had planned on having a 3rd party look at the alignment.

 

[kyledmb]

Exactly with the steering thing. I call it "sloppy" or "splashy" feeling now. Waaay too much play and not how it felt earlier into ownership.

 

[Jonger1150]

That video is totally the sound, and the clearest reproduction of it I've heard on video. In the car driving, it produces a rattling-like sound when on uneven pavement. Mine seems to get worse by the month.

Jonger, is that you under the truck rattling the half-shaft by hand?

Moved the half-shaft by hand with the phone inside with the door shut. It's clearly the source of the noise.

 

[llacii]

Hey everyone - Appreciate all the feedback in this thread, glad we're exchanging views. Just an update that my R1S is still in their lot for dampers replacement, sitting in the same parking spot where we parked it after not taking it from the last service (as a reminder, it already had hydraulic fluid top off in Aug as first attempt to fix, then the knuckle to hub bolts tightening service in late Sept as 2nd attempt; after which a quick ride over speed bumps across the street with a new tech, he said let's try dampers replacement). They did say hopefully they can get to it this week. I'll be sure to reply with an update when that's done.

The car has 6.3K on it, Sep'23 build, clunk progressively worse since summer time (I'm still suspicious that the summer suspension software updates pushes the hardware too far to try to address ride feel complaints). For what it's worth, my loaner R1T has the same, really bad sounds over speed bumps / road ruffles, especially noticable in Firm.

Also, I unfortunately had the same experience as someone else mentioned earlier in the thread: for me the Gaithersburg MD service center pretends this is normal or says the height adjustment compressor/clicks are what this is, but of course we know that isn't it. They even asked what cars I drove before rivian, when I said Subaru outback and Toyota camry, they responded "oh, would've guessed perhaps BMW or Mercedes, because you should know this is not meant to be a luxury vehicle, but rather an adventure vehicle...", needless to say more, I chalk that off as poor "read the room" skills + them being frustrated that they can't fix it so they blame me for "expecting luxury"; oh and they simply put on the work order "customer still not satisfied with noises from vehicle" ?. A few weeks prior to that they also told me on a test drive, where we clearly heard the heavy clunks over speed bumps in firm (but quieter in soft), that I should just ride in soft instead of moderate/Firm if these clunk noises bother me ?‍?‍. Anyhow, fingers crossed for dampers even though someone said that may not be it.

 

[MannyMan]

Hey everyone - Appreciate all the feedback in this thread, glad we're exchanging views. Just an update that my R1S is still in their lot for dampers replacement, sitting in the same parking spot where we parked it after not taking it from the last service (as a reminder, it already had hydraulic fluid top off in Aug as first attempt to fix, then the knuckle to hub bolts tightening service in late Sept as 2nd attempt; after which a quick ride over speed bumps across the street with a new tech, he said let's try dampers replacement). They did say hopefully they can get to it this week. I'll be sure to reply with an update when that's done.

The car has 6.3K on it, Sep'23 build, clunk progressively worse since summer time (I'm still suspicious that the summer suspension software updates pushes the hardware too far to try to address ride feel complaints). For what it's worth, my loaner R1T has the same, really bad sounds over speed bumps / road ruffles, especially noticable in Firm.

Also, I unfortunately had the same experience as someone else mentioned earlier in the thread: for me the Gaithersburg MD service center pretends this is normal or says the height adjustment compressor/clicks are what this is, but of course we know that isn't it. They even asked what cars I drove before rivian, when I said Subaru outback and Toyota camry, they responded "oh, would've guessed perhaps BMW or Mercedes, because you should know this is not meant to be a luxury vehicle, but rather an adventure vehicle...", needless to say more, I chalk that off as poor "read the room" skills + them being frustrated that they can't fix it so they blame me for "expecting luxury"; oh and they simply put on the work order "customer still not satisfied with noises from vehicle" ?. A few weeks prior to that they also told me on a test drive, where we clearly heard the heavy clunks over speed bumps in firm (but quieter in soft), that I should just ride in soft instead of moderate/Firm if these clunk noises bother me ?‍?‍. Anyhow, fingers crossed for dampers even though someone said that may not be it.

I hate these stupid answers that they always give. Everything is "normal". It's not normal, you just don't have a fix for it!!!!!
Incompetence at its best.

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

I hate these stupid answers that they always give. Everything is "normal". It's not normal, you just don't have a fix for it!!!!!
Incompetence at its best.

I don’t like it either, but I understand why they do it. It’s clear that it’s a widespread issue and one for which they do not currently have an official fix at least that we know of so the techs are probably getting frustrated and hoping many owners will just accept it.

All the folks at the service center that I’ve ever dealt with have been nothing but awesome.

 

[Jonger1150]

I don’t like it either, but I understand why they do it. It’s clear that it’s a widespread issue and one for which they do not currently have an official fix at least that we know of so the techs are probably getting frustrated and hoping many owners will just accept it.

All the folks at the service center that I’ve ever dealt with have been nothing but awesome.

Yup, I don't blame the employees at all. They would probably love a permanent fix for the half-shafts more than we would.

 

[kyledmb]

Problem is, it's more than just an annoying noise. I really do think this slop in the half shafts eventually damages the drive units, causing a need for replacement. Nobody wants that.

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