It is exhausting driving my R1T (alignment & steering issues)

[Joneholland]

I had the exact issue and frustration you are describing. They tried alignments, inspections of the motors and suspension, motor calibration, sensor replacement... I finally gave up and sold it.

Polite kids working at the call center and at the service center but don't seem to understand that their whole try-try-try again approach is a horrible experience and time waste for their customers.

After 1000 miles of correcting the steering I already had feathering in the tires (velvety feel on the tread). Assuming they ever did figure out the issue they would owe me a new set of rubber too.

How easy was it to sell?

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[C.R. Rivian]

Decades ago, I learned to drive in my Dads F100. This truck had rotted away bushings and you could move the wheel an inch before the truck followed. It definitely required an active driver.

The r1 reminds me of this. Except it’s brand new. Non stop adjustments. Sometimes it’s pulling to the right. Sometimes it’s pulling to the left. It’s truly baffling how sloppy the wheel feels.

I noticed that if I’m pulling to the right I can usually get it to track straight again by changing the ride height. I don’t think all the alignment complaints I see here are strictly due to sloppy alignment from the factory.

I also occasionally have the dreaded lower front right. When that is happening it always pulls to the right. I can usually get it to go away by playing with the ride height.

I’m extremely frustrated with this truck. All the reviewers say it handles amazing. Mine handles like it has 20 year old bushings. Are we driving the same thing?

I am seriously considering selling it.

The Bellevue service center has done good work for me (the wiring/windshield wiper issue and a sensor issue). Give them a chance to fix it. If not, dm me...my son wants to buy an R1T and the warranty is transferable.

 

[3121]

How easy was it to sell?

1 day on FB Marketplace, sold it to some wholesale guy who supplies dealers and high end used car shops.

 

[619RivianR1T]

Looks like our trucks were built by the same "assembly line trainees". From the day i got my truck in early July I knew something was off with the steering. It started with the pulling to the right and then I realized the steering wheel was shaking/vibrating at freeway speeds.

The first service visit resulted in an alignment, 2 right side tires replaced and full wheel balancing. The problem still wasn't fixed so I took it back again and the second time they told me that it's not a "safety issue" and that they have no current solution to fix it and to "Drive with 2 hands on the steering wheel."
FML i waited 19 months for a defective truck that Rivian doesn't know how to fix.

 

[Boomkanani]

Also something to consider for those that say the alignment is off, there should be a slight pull to the right from manufacturer. That is a safety standard for vehicles in case the driver falls asleep/passes out.

 

[rivian_panda]

I'm 5000 miles in now.... the more I drive the truck... the more sloppy i feel it is. I have the same steering wheel problem as you... I also think my CV Axle is about to go in the front.... I do drive on conserve mode often on the freeway....

The truck just feels clunky and not as tight as before..... its going to take 60 days before I can get my Truck in for service.... I'm starting to get very anxious... i get it growing pains but... being in the bay waiting 60 days for service you're cray....

Maybe give RJ a IOU on his Salary to open up more service center....

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

Also something to consider for those that say the alignment is off, there should be a slight pull to the right from manufacturer. That is a safety standard for vehicles in case the driver falls asleep/passes out.

No way. Tracking straight is the standard.

 

[Boomkanani]

No way. Tracking straight is the standard.

Ok expert. Also something to consider, many roads are designed with a slight slant...again, another safety standard to avoid head-on collisions if drivers lose consciousness

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

Ok expert. Also something to consider, many roads are designed with a slight slant...again, another safety standard to avoid head-on collisions if drivers lose consciousness

Yes it’s called “crown”. You can make excuses all you want…. I’ve owned too many vehicles that drove straight and had consistent steering feel. Rivian has a problem. It needs to be addressed.

 

[ads75]

Ok expert. Also something to consider, many roads are designed with a slight slant...again, another safety standard to avoid head-on collisions if drivers lose consciousness

The road slant is to help rain drainage.

 

[crashmtb]

Ok expert. Also something to consider, many roads are designed with a slight slant...again, another safety standard to avoid head-on collisions if drivers lose consciousness

Show me which section of FMVSS requires vehicles to not track straight.
Roads are not crowned to deflect cars. It’s for drainage.

 

[mgc0216]

Ok expert. Also something to consider, many roads are designed with a slight slant...again, another safety standard to avoid head-on collisions if drivers lose consciousness

Or it's designed to aid in water run off.

 

[Arky]

Also something to consider for those that say the alignment is off, there should be a slight pull to the right from manufacturer. That is a safety standard for vehicles in case the driver falls asleep/passes out.

This is usually just from the crown of the road itself. It's sloped ever so slightly to guide water off the surface.

Some alignments may try to counteract this (because we usually drive on the right) but most don't because it can make behavior less predictable on highways or when passing. You should generally feel the car pull just a tiny bit towards the edge of the road, the direction depends on which side of the center you are.

Really you can set it up any way you want by just adjusting the toe links yourself, but in OPs case it sounds like something else was seriously loose for it to be so sloppy.

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