Rivian alignment only done through Rivian?

[irvineboy]

I was chatting with another Owner, who told me Rivian is the only place that can do wheel alignments special machine needsand costs $600. Has anyone able to get it done for cheaper through independent shops?

Sponsored

 

[CANCERDOC]

I believe the Rivian service center does the alignment across different heights on the air suspension, whereas an outside shop may not have the specs for all the heights, just the standard height. Hence the Rivian alignment is likely slightly more accurate. I've had mine done at Costa Mesa and it took them three tries to get it right, but the third time, its straight as rails now.

 

[irvineboy]

How much did Costa Mesa charge for the alignment?

 

[akc5247]

I got it done at Discount tire (got 4 new tires), then at Rivian service center (after having to replace one wheel which was bent at a location beyond repair). Both did a decent job, although I felt Discount tire did a better job than Rivian service center in Trenton.

Then I went for my 30,000 mile service to get rotational and alignment done at Rivian SC in Brooklyn - they did excellent and vehicle drove with much less vibrations.

All the above were within 3 months of each other.

 

[irvineboy]

Americas tire here in CA doesn’t do wheel alignments.

 

[lefkonj]

I was told it is more than the suspension but some of the Driver Assist stuff but who knows if that is true. Audi mentioned the same thing years ago.

 

[SadHill]

Search other threads here. There is a lot of info about alignments.
It is also the type of alignment. They do road forced balancing. So as long as a different center can do that you should be ok.
I had mine done at a Rivian SC but they charged me nothing for it (I winked and said pretty plz).

 

[Mousetrap]

I seem to recall that Rivian charged me $260 to do it at the service center a year or two ago and that seemed to be the going rate at the time per the forums. Crazy if it's really up to $600 for the same service!

 

[Tlohrenz]

I was chatting with another Owner, who told me Rivian is the only place that can do wheel alignments special machine needsand costs $600. Has anyone able to get it done for cheaper through independent shops?

Rivian SC in Denver charged me $290.50 on 5/30/25 for my 2023 R1T Dual Max. My discount tire store does not do alignments.

 

[Rivian Owner]

I find it amusing that people think there is a separate adjustment for different ride heights. There is only 1 tie rod assembly and one set of ball joints and bushings so I'm not sure how you would adjust for different ride heights? I could see checking to make sure after adjustments are made at the standard ride height you would have a spec to check the alignment at other settings, but if something is out of spec at the other settings, it would indicate damaged or worn parts and not a needed adjustment.. Does anyone know otherwise?

 

[irvineboy]

$295 isn’t too bad. I don’t know where he got $600 from. I called a local independent wheel and tire a shop and they said they use Hunter machines and are capable of taking in Rivians but they just need 2.5 hours to calibrate. Quote is $250.

Another shop quoted $149 with John and Beam machine but Hunter management. Probably safest with Rivian. Not sure what machine they have.

 

[CANCERDOC]

Warranty. Out of warranty maybe $300-400?

 

[beatle]

I find it amusing that people think there is a separate adjustment for different ride heights. There is only 1 tie rod assembly and one set of ball joints and bushings so I'm not sure how you would adjust for different ride heights? I could see checking to make sure after adjustments are made at the standard ride height you would have a spec to check the alignment at other settings, but if something is out of spec at the other settings, it would indicate damaged or worn parts and not a needed adjustment.. Does anyone know otherwise?

I heard just the opposite: that they only do alignments with the truck in standard ride height. They won't align to low or lowest just because you drive in sport or conserve all the time.

 

[Eric9610]

I did the alignment at my local tire shop when I changed to 20's. Much better than factory and have not needed another one and have 20k on the 20's. Any place with alignment equipment can do the alignment. Also, it was $125.

 

[CANCERDOC]

I find it amusing that people think there is a separate adjustment for different ride heights. There is only 1 tie rod assembly and one set of ball joints and bushings so I'm not sure how you would adjust for different ride heights? I could see checking to make sure after adjustments are made at the standard ride height you would have a spec to check the alignment at other settings, but if something is out of spec at the other settings, it would indicate damaged or worn parts and not a needed adjustment.. Does anyone know otherwise?

I'm just parroting what the service lady told me at Costa Mesa. For all I know they align it on standard height and that's it. But she said oh we align it at three heights. So perhaps there is an "alignment" where it is within a specified range at low, standard, and high. Or may be not.

Sponsored