Loose underbody panels?

[RexRemus]

So I've finally been hit by the gremlins...

My charge port door is acting up and sorta "slams" itself shut but doesn't always close or fit properly. But I also noticed last night going over some bumps that sounded like something was loose under the floor.

It's pouring something awful here right now and I can't get under the vehicle in the garage but I was able to reach under a bit last night and just want to get a "temperature" check from the community - basically I could only reach the "outer" plastic panel on the driver side but reaching down I was able to easily lift that panel, like it was just loose and floppy. That seems like... It shouldn't be that way. It wasn't "deflection", it was like it was only held on at the outer edge and the inner edge that (I assume) is supposed to be held tight to the "actual" underbody shield is totally loose, it just flops around.

This makes me at the very least think the plastic needs to be reattached/tightened, or at worst makes me think the underbody shield itself is loose and leaving a gap for the plastic trim piece to flop around in.

I know underbody issues like this (loose/missing screws, etc.) are/were fairly common, but since I can't get under it, I was wondering if maybe the plastic is "supposed" to be able to move around a little or if it should be snug/solid to the underbody and not move at all - I feel like it should absolutely be the second. In fact very few things at all on a vehicle should be loose or floppy in my book but I was hoping someone else could confirm this - check their panels or whatever and see if you have the same experience.

I'll be submitting a ticket today regardless but just wanted to see if this was "normal" - thanks!

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[RexRemus]

Sorry for the bump but want to get the ticket in sooner rather than later, if anyone can confirm/offer an opinion on if this is normal or not I would really appreciate it.

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

Wife's R1S outer middle plastic panel on passenger side is loose and makes an small flapping sound on highway. Service appointment in December.

 

[RexRemus]

Wife's R1S outer middle plastic panel on passenger side is loose and makes an small flapping sound on highway. Service appointment in December.

Thank you!

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

Thank you!

Welcome. Same panel on driver side is not loose/noisy like this. Id say its not normal.

 

[RexRemus]

Welcome. Same panel on driver side is not loose/noisy like this. Id say its not normal.

Exactly what I was looking for, I had to assume it wasn't but at the same time it's just a plastic panel not "structural" so like.. it's possible it wouldn't be totally "rigid" but it seems like far more play than I would expect.

 

[virgnia_rivian]

Get a ticket opened. When we got our R1T last December our truck was part of a batch where the screws that hold the under body panels were over tightened and the heads sheered off. Service center was able to repair. If you lose too many, a panel can separate. I’m not sure if that’s the issue you’re experiencing, but if you have a loose panel, you could be missing some fasteners. Service is great at fixing little issues like this.

 

[jimmyb2]

Not sure which panels you refer to, but go watch a video about how to install aftermarket rock sliders at www.weistec.com or possibly any other vendor of sliders or running boards.

They will show you how to remove the panels which will give you an understanding of how they are attached. Then you may be able to reattach yours if necessary without waiting for service center.

 

[Si.LE.R1S]

Bought a creeper and took a look underneath. I am missing two bolts on the very from seam between silver and black panel and two on the back seam at the junction with the rear panel. There is definitely excessive motion from the missing bolts, as I can see the holes actively misalign when I push on the panels. One along the drivers side next to the removable panel was also loose.

Have service center appointment to tighten and replace. It’s is a pain, but I plan to check mine periodically since I occasionally off-road. I hope it’s not a recurring thing, but maybe have to accept its just a part of routine maintenance for this type of vehicle/use.

 

[freshpow]

I had a similar issue where I started hearing some play in that area a few months into ownership. In my case, it was a 2 min fix and just required a screwdriver to tighten the loose bolts. YMMV but could be an easy fix that doesn't require an appt.

 

[dleepnw]

there should not be anything that feels "loose" under the vehicle.

if you dont have the reinforced underbody shield, then yes its possible the composite shield is loose, that was definitely a thing for early builds. it sounds like you may have loose or missing bolts. check for sure when you get a chance because it can definitely shear off at high speeds or going over water.

 

[FooF]

Try some blue loctite on your bolts to prevent this from happening again. And mark bolts with a paint marker so that you can see if anything loosens up visually.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

When I took delivery back in late March, I had the T in off road highest and decided to crawl under and check on the screws/bolts for the under body panels. In my case, none of the reinforced underbody shield bolts were loose, but some of the smaller panels had either loose or missing screws. I went under, documented the locations of missing screws, and tightened/checked the rest.

In my mind, might as well have done something to mitigate any further screws backing off or a panel coming off between scheduling the appointment, and having the work done.

 

[proto]

I just received my R1S back from a service appointment for a laundry list of various issues, one of which was the noise you describe. Sure enough, it was two missing bolts.

 

[RexRemus]

Thanks for the updates/suggestions. I'll see if I can actually get under the vehicle this weekend. I need a svc appointment for my charging port cover and some loose rear wheel trim regardless, so this should get sorted one way or another, but if I can just tighten a few things up for now I will

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