Jounce Lines Replacement (Fixed Squeaky Suspension) + Other Service Notes

[ExhibHooligan]

Is a “squeaky” suspension the same as a “chirpy” suspension? Is it the noise that you hear on rough pavements at lower speeds that sounds like jiggling a toilet handle? The noise that SC employees have been saying is the sound of hydraulic fluid flowing through the dampers? Because a fix for that would be truly wonderful.

Correct! This is supposedly the fix for that!

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[kyledmb]

Wow David! I had no idea these lines were a risk of anything other than that annoying loud squeaking noise. Especially concerning an apparent issue if using the height adjustment features...the truck was supposed to be designed for that. But it sounds like that is putting stress on the lines over time.

I put in a service ticket, but my appointment in Seattle isn't until Nov. 5...

Thanks everyone for the insight. Those with upcoming appointments in Seattle, please keep us posted on how things go.

 

[Jonger1150]

Add me to the list. Am I going to need to clunk around for a few months? My noise is horrendous. It sounds like a empty soup can with marbles bouncing around when I drive over 1" bumps.

 

[dmc94]

AKA off-roading, camp leveling, and all the other "features" they rave about? That's wild they charged you anything! Aren't you still within warranty? Is the off-roading warranty period different?

Mine goes into the Seattle SC in early September for the random service suspension issue (most likely sensor connectors as it only happens after a car wash or rainy drive like today). I'm going to mention jounce issues and see how far the eyes roll.

I am within warranty, but they probably mean repetitive as in rally mode for 45 minutes going quickly down a trail or constantly hitting the suspension without a break, not "normal" camp leveling and stuff. I did push back a little bit but since they covered the dampers (expensive bits) I thought it was a fair trade. Just like a Jeep or Bronco, there are things that will break even under normal usage that might be considered normal wear and tear unfortunately. I don't think the jounce lines should be one of them, but oh well.

 

[dmc94]

We’re both going to the Seattle SC in September. I’m going to mention the jounce lines too ?. Seattle SC better stock up on these parts because they are about to get at least 2-3 people asking in the next month.

Don't everybody go throwing my name around now! haha

 

[dmc94]

Wow David! I had no idea these lines were a risk of anything other than that annoying loud squeaking noise. Especially concerning an apparent issue if using the height adjustment features...the truck was supposed to be designed for that. But it sounds like that is putting stress on the lines over time.

I put in a service ticket, but my appointment in Seattle isn't until Nov. 5...

Thanks everyone for the insight. Those with upcoming appointments in Seattle, please keep us posted on how things go.

You're probably fine if you're not doing anything out of the ordinary. I use my truck hard and go off-roading bi-weekly so something was gonna break at some point. It's just worth checking.

 

[kyledmb]

So the updated jounce lines are anticipated to fix 2 known issues:

1. Squeaking/Chirping noise on uneven roads
2. Probability of leaking/failure due to overextension of air suspension in off-road modes

Is this reasonable to expect?

 

[Jonger1150]

I am within warranty, but they probably mean repetitive as in rally mode for 45 minutes going quickly down a trail or constantly hitting the suspension without a break, not "normal" camp leveling and stuff. I did push back a little bit but since they covered the dampers (expensive bits) I thought it was a fair trade. Just like a Jeep or Bronco, there are things that will break even under normal usage that might be considered normal wear and tear unfortunately. I don't think the jounce lines should be one of them, but oh well.

Mine makes all the noise and I haven't left pavement yet. It's way too noisy to risk it. I don't think you caused it, I believe it's a defective part that was never updated for gen 1 since day one.

I wonder if the retrofit jounce line and retrofit damper are both gen2 designs being installed in noisy customer gen 1s.

My girlfriend has heard the noise and said if she didn't know any other this, she would have just drove it without any complaint. It's super noisy for an $85,000 vehicle, she's just not the type to care. That's what Rivian banked on since discovering the problem and reengineering a better design.

 

[cjg817]

Yes. Mine is still pretty clunky.

Mine too!

 

[Aag12]

Has there been anyone besides op that has this fixed?

 

[j.w.s]

TLDR;
If your suspension squeaks like a '42 Ford, ask them to replace your jounce lines.

Background:
My truck is one of the first 1,500 produced. Initially, the suspension was really quiet. Shortly after delivery, however, it developed a slight squeak on rough terrain (I live down a gravel driveway with some decent potholes). It continued to get worse over time, but since it really only affected me while in the driveway, I let it go. FFWD to last month when the geniuses in charge of roads put in 4 speed bumps in a 300-yard span on my way to work. Eight traversals a day sent the minor annoyance into a significant problem. It was so bad that I was embarrassed to drive over the bumps if there were pedestrians near enough to hear the squeaking. Since I already had a service appointment scheduled, I added it to the ticket.

Resolution:
When I picked it up last Saturday, I was told the jounce lines were replaced. I didn't really think that would be a fix since others here had stated they needed a damper replacement, but I am happy to report that the squeaking is completely gone.

Other Notes:
Updated tonneau - much slower than the older one.
Updated/recall accelerator pedal - low speed response and control is MASSIVELY better. Parking in the garage is so much easier, and acceleration from a stop is more smooth.

I have a rather pronounced "sounds like rubber rubbing on something" noise, I call it a squeak, when, for example, driving slowly over a speed bump. Is that what we're talking about here?

 

[godfodder0901]

I have a rather pronounced "sounds like rubber rubbing on something" noise, I call it a squeak, when, for example, driving slowly over a speed bump. Is that what we're talking about here?

I would imagine so. Speed bumps were the most aggressive offender for me.

 

[Aag12]

I have a rather pronounced "sounds like rubber rubbing on something" noise, I call it a squeak, when, for example, driving slowly over a speed bump. Is that what we're talking about here?

Sounds like a craky old chair to me. I've gotten used to it since it only happens at low speeds, but am hopefully this is really a fix for it!

 

[Jonger1150]

I guess we'll see what they come up with. I went for a drive along with a tech during the drop off. He said it sounds normal, but the chirps were fixable with the jounce lines. He's actually not wrong... I'm in a loaner and it's slightly quieter than my own.

The suspension is noisy compared to non-active traditional versions, but those retrofit jounce lines and dampers supposedly fix it.

The real challenge will be to get those dampers. The tech said it sounded normal, but the jounce lines are improved with the new part.

I'm jumping the gun here considering the SC hasn't officially declared what they're going to do....but I'm fully expecting to be stuck with the noisy OG dampers.

 

[dinimobile]

Has there been anyone besides op that has this fixed?

I just received mine back from the Seattle SC today. I haven't had a chance to drive much, but I thought the squeak/chirp noise was reduced by about 97% so far (I could hear a faint noise when I turned everything off - music and HVAC - and really tried to listen for it). I will report back after driving for a few more miles/days this weekend.

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