Possible Front-Left Wheel Bearing Issue

[electricRaptor]

I searched on Rivian-specific forums for anyone who may have had some symptoms of a bad wheel bearing, but couldn't find one.

After having the tires rotated (which would seem pretty unrelated), I started noticing a louder-than-normal humming/groaning from the front tires. For a while I assumed it was just tire drone/roar from the Pirelli AT's growing tired (at about 13k miles on the set), but the noise got louder and louder. Then I noticed when I would make veering turns to the left, the noise would dissipate almost completely. My diagnosis of an issue is that when I'm driving straight or turning right, I hear the noise (like a bowling ball rolling down a lane). When I veer to the left, the noise quiets and all I hear is the normal tire drone of 13k mile tires.

I've submitted a ticket, but the next available appointment is not until 6/11, so I'm trying to see if Rivian can get my truck in s00ner. It's not a very inspiring noise, so I'm pressuring Rivian and providing videos on smooth roads which turn left and right (video too large for forum, so added a YouTube link). Like reading any medical advise on the internet, the results are frightening (wheel will fall off, good luck, pray to the wheel bearing gods, etc.).

Let me know your thoughts. I went to Discount Tire but they said they aren't capable of reviewing this issue and suggested going to BrakeMax. I kindly told them that only Discount has the pucks/agreement to lift Rivians, and therefore am now stuck with crowdsourcing potential avenues until June 11th.

Note: In the video I attempt to explain when I'm hearing the noise (driving straight or veering right) and when I'm not (veering left).

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[electricRaptor]

Just noticed... the video is still uploading. Patience

 

[electricRaptor]

Most noticeable in the video starting at 2:00

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

typically with wheel bearings the noise will become worse when you turn away from the side with an issue as that puts more load on that side. So if it goes away when you turn left, is present when going straight, but increases when you turn right that might indicate a failing left wheel bearing.

 

[electricRaptor]

typically with wheel bearings the noise will become worse when you turn away from the side with an issue as that puts more load on that side. So if it goes away when you turn left, is present when going straight, but increases when you turn right that might indicate a failing left wheel bearing.

Gotcha, that’s pretty spot on for rust I’m hearing. Although these have more complex hub assemblies with motors, so I suppose it could be symptomatic of something else…

I’m driving to Phoenix and back today so I’ll update if there’s a catastrophic failure ?

 

[electricRaptor]

Update: I went one more time to check the balance at Discount Tire to see if there's additional balancing they can accomplish for the front left tire as that may just be the culprit. Apparently the front left had some good cupping, which is unfortunate they didn't inform me of until today. I ordered 2 front tires, and will see if that resolves the noise. Getting 4 tires is excessive given they only have 11k miles on them, so hopefully no issues with not replacing all four at the moment.

Will update this thread if that's the case. Would make more sense as a wheel bearing going out at 32k miles seems early.

 

[mikehmb]

Oh yeah man - cupping will make even the most compliant tires sound like all the demons in hell wailing at you at all the frequencies.

Also for a bad bearing pack - you should be able to detect some wheel play. If that’s the case, stop driving and get it in before you lose a wheel at speed.

 

[electricRaptor]

Oh yeah man - cupping will make even the most compliant tires sound like all the demons in hell wailing at you at all the frequencies.

Also for a bad bearing pack - you should be able to detect some wheel play. If that’s the case, stop driving and get it in before you lose a wheel at speed.

Great to know. Seems like the most likely culprit at this point then. No play on the wheel, just “bowling balls on concrete” type noise, or like bad mud tires ?. I’m hopeful this will resolve… that said, displeased with how they got this way. Can’t wait for non-Pirelli AT options that are also supported by Rivian… s00n

 

[Zoidz]

Update: I went one more time to check the balance at Discount Tire to see if there's additional balancing they can accomplish for the front left tire as that may just be the culprit. Apparently the front left had some good cupping, which is unfortunate they didn't inform me of until today. I ordered 2 front tires, and will see if that resolves the noise. Getting 4 tires is excessive given they only have 11k miles on them, so hopefully no issues with not replacing all four at the moment.

Will update this thread if that's the case. Would make more sense as a wheel bearing going out at 32k miles seems early.

The manual mentions variation between left and right tires, but not front and rear, so hopefully it's not an issue.

 

[MountainPassPerformance]

It was said earlier, but the easiest way to figure out if it is wheel bearing or tire noise is to gently swerve side-to-side as you drive. The growling should get quieter and loud depending on which side of the vehicle is loaded up. It sounds like you're getting new tires today, so if the noise is still there after, I think we can close the case!

 

[electricRaptor]

Front tires replaced… noise persists. Definitely pointing towards a wheel bearing now, just $900 poorer ??. At least I have fresh rubber?

 

[electruck]

If you are able and comfortable doing this, jack up that corner as if you were changing a flat tire and manually check for play and bearing noise. this guy does a good walk through of what you're looking for.

 

[electruck]

Also, tire cupping is most commonly an alignment issue but could be coming from a bad bearing.

 

[RalphB]

typically with wheel bearings the noise will become worse when you turn away from the side with an issue as that puts more load on that side. So if it goes away when you turn left, is present when going straight, but increases when you turn right that might indicate a failing left wheel bearing.

I agree completely and this tracks with a problem I had on my AWD Infiniti.

 

[zefram47]

The manual mentions variation between left and right tires, but not front and rear, so hopefully it's not an issue.

That's gotta be just for the dual-motor variants. Hell, the compact spare tire for the R1S is a 30" tire where stock R1 tires are either 33" or 34" diameter.

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