Question: Suspension feel vs iCE truck

[MTBinBend]

Seeking input in how the Rivian air suspension feels/sounds off roading (washboards, chunky fire roads, etc) versus say a Toyota Tacoma SR5.

So far the Rivian suspension doesn’t seem as solid. Makes more noise and sounds kinda loose. Whereas the Tacoma just seems rock solid going over the same roads.

anyone have any comparative experiences they could share. Maybe I need a service call, not sure.

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[frostbit3]

Mine doesn't make any weird noises that I've noticed. It rides much better than my Summit Grand Cherokee that also has air suspension. My GC isn't bad, but it isn't as smooth and forgiving as the R1T in all purpose mode. I keep mine in all purpose mode and soft suspension pretty much at all times.

 

[RivianBowerbird]

My experience on a rutted dirt road in rally moad was that it was glass-smooth and extremely controllable. What noise are you talking about?

 

[scooter]

I know what you're saying, makes small squeaks and just feels "jangly" like you would hear in a worn suspension. I mean it feels great, just not impressed with the noises while it's working. On the plus side, I hardly hear it with the wind noise at speed on the driver's side...

 

[MTBinBend]

My experience on a rutted dirt road in rally moad was that it was glass-smooth and extremely controllable. What noise are you talking about?

I’ll see if I can record the sound. Best way to describe it would be as if the suspension isn’t tight so it’s components are rattling against each other (although not that dramatic). Thanks for the feedback,

 

[MTBinBend]

I know what you're saying, makes small squeaks and just feels "jangly" like you would hear in a worn suspension. I mean it feels great, just not impressed with the noises while it's working. On the plus side, I hardly hear it with the wind noise at speed on the driver's side...

yeah jangly is a good word. What’s strange is it seems solid on pavement, even bumpy pavement. Will do some more testing on that front.

 

[astonius]

Agree with your assessment. Certain movements of the suspension feel unstable/noisy, particularly at low speeds. On the highway it's perfectly smooth and quiet.

 

[ipadl]

I have a service tech coming tomorrow and one of the "Field Service Initiatives" (or whatever Rivian is calling their recalls) is to check suspension torque. I'll try to get the technical verbiage from the work order. Anyway. . . mine sounds a little "jangly" also - like something is slightly loose and rattling on some bumps. I'm guessing that if this was a big deal they would issue a recall, but the fact that it's an FSI (or whatever) means that we are probably not the only ones hearing this.

 

[MTBinBend]

I have a service tech coming tomorrow and one of the "Field Service Initiatives" (or whatever Rivian is calling their recalls) is to check suspension torque. I'll try to get the technical verbiage from the work order. Anyway. . . mine sounds a little "jangly" also - like something is slightly loose and rattling on some bumps. I'm guessing that if this was a big deal they would issue a recall, but the fact that it's an FSI (or whatever) means that we are probably not the only ones hearing this.

Please post a follow up after service! Thanks

 

[cjust2006]

I have a service tech coming tomorrow and one of the "Field Service Initiatives" (or whatever Rivian is calling their recalls) is to check suspension torque. I'll try to get the technical verbiage from the work order. Anyway. . . mine sounds a little "jangly" also - like something is slightly loose and rattling on some bumps. I'm guessing that if this was a big deal they would issue a recall, but the fact that it's an FSI (or whatever) means that we are probably not the only ones hearing this.

Hey, I'm also experiencing a lot of chatter and clunks over less than ideal pavement. How'd your service appointment go? Any useful info?

What's strange about mine is what causes it to chatter and clunk, vs what doesn't. It's often smaller bumps that are kind of "multi-part" or washboard (like brick roads) that cause it, whereas just singular bumps of varying sizes don't at all. I can consistently make it happen more on left side than the right, going over a speed bump at 7-8 MPH. Service already looked at mine and says everything is fine....

Wondering if this is just the science behind keeping an otherwise comfortable 7500lb vehicle suspended...

Edit: additional details.

 

[MTBinBend]

Hey, I'm also experiencing a lot of chatter and clunks over less than ideal pavement. How'd your service appointment go? Any useful info?

What's strange about mine is what causes it to chatter and clunk, vs what doesn't. It's often smaller bumps that are kind of "multi-part" or washboard (like brick roads) that cause it, whereas just singular bumps of varying sizes don't at all. I can consistently make it happen more on left side than the right, going over a speed bump at 7-8 MPH. Service already looked at mine and says everything is fine....

Wondering if this is just the science behind keeping an otherwise comfortable 7500lb vehicle suspended...

Edit: additional details.

Maybe this has already been a topic but I spent some time tapping around the plastic underbody panels that are attached to the skateboard frame. They are noisy. Some more than others and create a jangly sound. The plastic panels have a male tab that insert into the metal bottom of the truck. They move around so I shoved some temporary shims and it improved the jangle issue immensely. I might remove these and either test black electrical tape or some other method of shimming and reinstall.

I get this isn’t the larger issue of suspension squeaks but at least it’s improving the sound quality of the ride on washboard style roads.

 

[ironpig]

Seeking input in how the Rivian air suspension feels/sounds off roading (washboards, chunky fire roads, etc) versus say a Toyota Tacoma SR5.

So far the Rivian suspension doesn’t seem as solid. Makes more noise and sounds kinda loose. Whereas the Tacoma just seems rock solid going over the same roads.

anyone have any comparative experiences they could share. Maybe I need a service call, not sure.

I have a 2015 4Runner, similar to your Tacoma. The Toyota suspension is traditional and any small squeaks are covered up by engine noise. That said, it doesn't make much noise at all and feels like Toyota suspensions I've had in many vehicles.

The real change with Rivian is air suspension and silent motors. The lack of engine noise means you can actually hear your tires and you can hear every noise the suspension makes. Which is different, but not bad. And 4 way independent air suspension is a totally different feel than a double wishbone and coil springs.

I think the "solid" feeling is just that - it's a feeling. You are used to a certain type of feedback from coil springs rather than air suspension. And without engine noise everything sounds or "feels" sort of hollow and floaty. But it's way more capable.

 

[Attesan997]

Maybe this has already been a topic but I spent some time tapping around the plastic underbody panels that are attached to the skateboard frame. They are noisy. Some more than others and create a jangly sound. The plastic panels have a male tab that insert into the metal bottom of the truck. They move around so I shoved some temporary shims and it improved the jangle issue immensely. I might remove these and either test black electrical tape or some other method of shimming and reinstall.

I get this isn’t the larger issue of suspension squeaks but at least it’s improving the sound quality of the ride on washboard style roads.

Truck's going into service on Tuesday to address my first ticket from delivery day so I'll see what they say but I've noticed those plastic panels have a lot of flex to the touch. In my case anyway its probably the noise I hear over certain bumps, but still a bit annoying to have such a cheap sounding creaking in an otherwise pleasant experience.

 

[MTBinBend]

Let us know if there are improvements after service. I’ll test my idea and report back soon. Surprised more don’t talk about this. I don’t think it’s unique or limited to just a small set of vehicles. But maybe we just notice it more…

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