First problem with my R1S, and it's a big one. Bolt backed out

[CUclimber]

Add me to the list for this issue. One bolt was fully backed out and rubbing the half-shaft, and one of the 2 remaining bolts was loose as well. Got towed to the SC, but this isn’t super confidence-inspiring.

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[linro]

Thank goodness for this forum to do research! I now have two missing bolts on the front driver's side of my R1S (July '23 delivery VIN ~13500). I had the SUV in for service twice already in the past 5 months for this same grinding/squealing sound (presumably when each of the first two bolts began loosening and started rubbing). Each time the SC would say everything checked out normal and the sound went away - probably because the bolts eventually fell off during the long time it took to get a SC appointment.

Now, I have the the same grinding starting again (not to the squealing level of the first two incidents). After this third time, I knew it couldn't be pebbles behind the brake shield so I searched on the forum and then crawled under the car to take a look of what everyone was finding. Scary that this could mean a third bolt is coming out and the SC not catching any of this even as I paid them out of pocket to perform the 15k mile service maintenance.

Calling roadside assistance to get towed to a SC this time. This should be a recall at this point if it's happening to so many vehicles.

 

[LL75]

In addition, this torque mark has misaligned.. need to check as well..

How important is torque mark misaligned a bit. On my quad r1s, both front right and left misaligned. On my dm r1t only the left side is misaligned. What does it do? Ride is normal on both cars. It seems like a quick DYI with a wrench?

 

[Brprewitt]

Thank goodness for this forum to do research! I now have two missing bolts on the front driver's side of my R1S (July '23 delivery VIN ~13500). I had the SUV in for service twice already in the past 5 months for this same grinding/squealing sound (presumably when each of the first two bolts began loosening and started rubbing). Each time the SC would say everything checked out normal and the sound went away - probably because the bolts eventually fell off during the long time it took to get a SC appointment.

Now, I have the the same grinding starting again (not to the squealing level of the first two incidents). After this third time, I knew it couldn't be pebbles behind the brake shield so I searched on the forum and then crawled under the car to take a look of what everyone was finding. Scary that this could mean a third bolt is coming out and the SC not catching any of this even as I paid them out of pocket to perform the 15k mile service maintenance.

Calling roadside assistance to get towed to a SC this time. This should be a recall at this point if it's happening to so many vehicles.

Not sure what is scarier, the fact that you lost two bolts on the same axle or that you took it to the service center both times and they missed it! I love both of my Rivian's but this is a big issue that they need to get ahead of before it turns into a crisis.

 

[Rivian Owner]

How important is torque mark misaligned a bit. On my quad r1s, both front right and left misaligned. On my dm r1t only the left side is misaligned. What does it do? Ride is normal on both cars. It seems like a quick DYI with a wrench?

I'm not sure if you had an alignment done that those marks are going to line up. The tie-rod is threaded so you can adjust the alignment by turning it in or out on the threaded shaft, I haven't tried, but if you turn the tie-rod end 1/2 or 1/4 of a turn, I'm thinking the nut won't tighten up against the tie-rod end in exactly the same way. If the nut isn't loose I wouldn't worry too much as the nut doesn't carry load, it simply locks the tie-rod end's position on the shaft and keeps it from rotating.

Those bolts that are backing out are another matter!!!! A hub coming apart at highway speeds could be lethal.

 

[mytran]

Well this is bad... I read about this issue on Friday and looked under the car Saturday morning and it was fine. Then today (Monday), I heard a squeaking noise from the left side and found one bolt out. Service center said they will try to slot me in sooner and call me back today.

This isn't a bolt that you can just retorque as is. There isn't enough clearance to get a socket in there with the CV joint. Correct service procedure for this most likely requires the knuckle to get separated out from the CV joint. My guess is that its a matter of time before this turns into a recall.

 

[Dave Cundiff]

Thank goodness for this forum to do research! I now have two missing bolts on the front driver's side of my R1S (July '23 delivery VIN ~13500). I had the SUV in for service twice already in the past 5 months for this same grinding/squealing sound (presumably when each of the first two bolts began loosening and started rubbing). Each time the SC would say everything checked out normal and the sound went away - probably because the bolts eventually fell off during the long time it took to get a SC appointment.

Now, I have the the same grinding starting again (not to the squealing level of the first two incidents). After this third time, I knew it couldn't be pebbles behind the brake shield so I searched on the forum and then crawled under the car to take a look of what everyone was finding. Scary that this could mean a third bolt is coming out and the SC not catching any of this even as I paid them out of pocket to perform the 15k mile service maintenance.

Calling roadside assistance to get towed to a SC this time. This should be a recall at this point if it's happening to so many vehicles.

From your mouth to God's ears, @linro!

Looks as if there is now a recall, involving a one-time check of all potentially affected bolts on potentially affected Rivians.

I suggest you and others call 855-RIVIAN-5, ask about whether Rivian's FSAM-1507 applies to your vehicle, and make an appointment if it applies.

I don't know the date on this notice, but I presume it's recent. Our R1T just got this checked today when we were in for other work. Our R1S was at the same Service Center early this summer and didn't get this check, so we made the next routine appointment for November 2024. (Yes, that's prompt for Rivian. We are fortunate to have Portland SC as our Service Center.)

Very best wishes!

 

[linro]

Update: Received my R1S back today. Seems like the same fix as others: 1) replaced hub bearing, 2) replaced half shaft, and 3) replaced all 4 bolts.

Also SC had already performed the FSAM-1507 recall without me having to request it. Remedy was to "Tighten all hub to knuckle fasteners" and replace 4 bolts/lock washers that are different than the hub bolts.

Hopefully, third time is the charm. Although it seems like I'm pulling to the left now. I may need a wheel alignment after all this.

 

[s0ysauce]

Dang how crazy. I have an appointment tomorrow for an alignment, but I already signed the work order a few days ago. A new email showed up this morning asking me to sign a new work order, so I double checked it after seeing this thread and there it is. The first line item is FSAM-1507.

For what it's worth, mine is pulling to the right, and I started noticing a squeaking & clicking noise (not the air suspension) when my steering wheel is turned past a certain point while going over bumps. Seems related, but we'll see what the SC says.

From your mouth to God's ears, @linro!

Looks as if there is now a recall, involving a one-time check of all potentially affected bolts on potentially affected Rivians.

I suggest you and others call 855-RIVIAN-5, ask about whether Rivian's FSAM-1507 applies to your vehicle, and make an appointment if it applies.

I don't know the date on this notice, but I presume it's recent. Our R1T just got this checked today when we were in for other work. Our R1S was at the same Service Center early this summer and didn't get this check, so we made the next routine appointment for November 2024. (Yes, that's prompt for Rivian. We are fortunate to have Portland SC as our Service Center.)

Very best wishes!

 

[Manu]

Making it to the press now:

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a...e-reporting-loose-bolts-in-steering-knuckles/

 

[JMACCA]

Maybe this will help.

Contact service and describe what happened and include the photo showing the dislodged bolt and make them decide if it is safe to drive to the service center or come pick it up and provide a loaner.

 

[riv-e-in]

The local SC stopped for a remote visit yesterday to drop off a fob +key card +trim pieces and the service tech also said he’s performing a service on the hub bolts for each wheel.
Removed the wheel cap, removed the axle bolt, punched the axle inboard a couple inches, torqued each hub bolt to spec, and put everything back together.
They might be providing it for all vehicles??

 

[Dave Cundiff]

Yes, @riv-e-in, all or nearly all vehicles. I think the reference number is FSAM-1507.

Best wishes!

 

[rklopp]

The San Jose SC added the hub bolt torque check to my tonneau installation visit yesterday. Having heard about the issue on the forum, I crawled under and visually and hand checked the bolts a couple months back and didn't find any issues. All the bolts had a pink verification stripe, for what that's worth - probably not a lot.

 

[Groovian]

Just found my 2024 R1T has all 4 of these wheel bearing bolts fairly loose. Came off easy with a small socket wrench. These are typically torqued to a pretty hi value like 60 ft-lbs and then an additional 90 deg turn. They are supposed to be near their yield stress when fully torqued and are also supposed to be replaced if ever removed. However if you have a caliper you can measure the thread pitch and verify it hasn't yielded (stretched) and reuse. They are high strength class 10.9 bolts and can take a high tensile stress.

Also it's unusual these are not torx or triple square drive bolts that can accept a rather narrow tool bit for installation or removal. Sockets on the hex head will interfere with the axle shaft.

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