Half-Shaft issue thread

[MountainBikeDude]

Mine was replaced about 2 months ago.( 30k miles )I remember when my wife used to own a Tesla model X, they had the same problem with the half shafts. I wonder if this a byproduct of the weight of the vehicle.

I'm curious if Cybertruck is experiencing any similar issues, between the weight and adjustment of the ride height. I know they've had several issues with drive units early on, which seemingly they've resolved.

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[kyledmb]

I'm curious if Cybertruck is experiencing any similar issues, between the weight and adjustment of the ride height. I know they've had several issues with drive units early on, which seemingly they've resolved.

Also curious since it was reported that early Model Xs had this same issue if Tesla figured out a permanent fix. If so, maybe Rivian can eventually?

 

[Jonger1150]

Also curious since it was reported that early Model Xs had this same issue if Tesla figured out a permanent fix. If so, maybe Rivian can eventually?

Considering these half-shafts last 20,000 miles max before failing in many cases, you would think a redesign would be in the works. Right now I'm so-so on mine at 20,000 miles. It's a tad quieter at low speeds, but I get vibration under heavy acceleration at standard height. Clearly something internally wore out.

 

[Kunzene]

For what it’s worth, I’m at 73k and half-shafts are one of the few things that haven’t needed replaced yet on my truck.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

For what it’s worth, I’m at 73k and half-shafts are one of the few things that haven’t needed replaced yet on my truck.

This is one of those things that I think is an issue for people that notice it. My wife and some of my friends, probably would never notice the issue, even when it became more pronounced.

I'm not saying I'm Niki Lauda, with some kind of magic butt dyno, but there are things some pick up on more so than others. This isn't to say you have a problem but are unaware, more that the evidence is pointing to them being a high failure rate component across the Gen 1 QM lineup.

Edit*
I think saying high failure rate, is a bit inaccurate. It's not that half shafts are breaking, or falling off, rendering Rivian's immobile, more that the precise driveline interfaces wear quickly, introducing perceivable slack or slop between accel, regen, braking, and accel again.

 

[Ceejay]

I just bought my gen 1 2024 dual motor R1T a few weeks ago and have in at service right now for some warranty things. It's got 38k km on it. I noticed that front suspension didn't feel great, and the tech who went on a little drive with me said that the suspension can 'chirp' (or squeak) a bit, due to insufficient fluid (or is it air?) flow in the jounce lines. Just heard from customer service that they replaced with a 2nd gen jounce lines with bigger boxes (reservoirs?) but also that they noticed some leakage in one damper and so they replaced that. So no half shaft replacements, but still concerning that suspension parts seem to go so rapidly. Cheers

 

[MountainBikeDude]

I just bought my gen 1 2024 dual motor R1T a few weeks ago and have in at service right now for some warranty things. It's got 38k km on it. I noticed that front suspension didn't feel great, and the tech who went on a little drive with me said that the suspension can 'chirp' (or squeak) a bit, due to insufficient fluid (or is it air?) flow in the jounce lines. Just heard from customer service that they replaced with a 2nd gen jounce lines with bigger boxes (reservoirs?) but also that they noticed some leakage in one damper and so they replaced that. So no half shaft replacements, but still concerning that suspension parts seem to go so rapidly. Cheers

I had my first gen jounce lines replaced with the 2nd gen ones, smoother and quieter for sure. They'll do them for free as part of customer satisfaction campaign fyi, same with the AC refrigerant lines to reduce cabin NVH.

As far as dampers, I've had 4 replaced, twice on rear drivers?, once on rear passenger, and once recently, on my front passenger. Off roading, and repetitive high compression cycling will wear out the seals faster than just driving down a paved road. It's unfortunately true with all suspension, Fox, Radflo, King, Rancho, Bilstein, Monroe (Rivian). Gaskets and seals wear over time, and start to leak fluid. most times, the components can be salvaged and rebuilt. My bike as an example, suspension can be removed and sent away to a factory repair outlet, they'll change all the gaskets, etc, put in new oil and it'll be good as new for the next season.

 

[kyledmb]

I just bought my gen 1 2024 dual motor R1T a few weeks ago and have in at service right now for some warranty things. It's got 38k km on it. I noticed that front suspension didn't feel great, and the tech who went on a little drive with me said that the suspension can 'chirp' (or squeak) a bit, due to insufficient fluid (or is it air?) flow in the jounce lines. Just heard from customer service that they replaced with a 2nd gen jounce lines with bigger boxes (reservoirs?) but also that they noticed some leakage in one damper and so they replaced that. So no half shaft replacements, but still concerning that suspension parts seem to go so rapidly. Cheers

That's great. They replaced the whole front jounce sub-assemblies. This is a hydraulic system. The old one you had restricted flow through to the dampers.

Great to get a small air spring leak fixed, too. That will make a big, noticeable difference for you. One small internal leak can really throw off the whole system. It's "complex."

 

[Captblue]

Also curious since it was reported that early Model Xs had this same issue if Tesla figured out a permanent fix. If so, maybe Rivian can eventually?

my wife was considering a model X a few months ago, I went to their forum and the 2025 models are still reporting half shaft / shudder issues. So NO. I’m guessing a moneymaker once the warranty is expired.

 

[MidnightRivian]

Here is some pictures of the powertrain.

 

[HapticWagon]

I think my halfshaft vibration and noise went away with my tire rotation today. I will verify further tonight. not sure if SC did something else, but nothing in work order indicated so.

 

[Eric9610]

I have 32k miles on my quad and no half-shaft issues my T is a 2023 model. I did have them look at them when I had a seal leak and they said no issues with jounce or half-shafts.

 

[HapticWagon]

I think my halfshaft vibration and noise went away with my tire rotation today. I will verify further tonight. not sure if SC did something else, but nothing in work order indicated so.

so not sure if it’s just the hotter weather maybe. But the issues for me is confirmed gone after my 7500mi service and tire rotation… perhaps it was loose hub bolt they retorqued.

 

[kyledmb]

so not sure if it’s just the hotter weather maybe. But the issues for me is confirmed gone after my 7500mi service and tire rotation… perhaps it was loose hub bolt they retorqued.

I do think they perform a bunch of driveline related fixes at these service appointments. I've noticed "Front Halfshafts Other Labor (0.5 Hours)" on my invoice before on an inspection line item.

 

[Jonger1150]

I have the infamous low speed scraping sound and a service center visit coming up. Rivian actually identified it on a test drive after replacing the 12V battery. I never noticed it. Yesterday when driving along side a building I could hear the echo from it and recorded it for the SC.

Most likely it's the half-shaft wore through the lubrication. (My Guess).

Gonna need a retro redesign for these half-shafts. That ball bearing design is pretty cool -- but the lack of a grease fitting is what's leading to all the problems. Not sure if half-shafts typically have that -- but we need it.

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