Steering Wheel Replaced for Steering Wheel Vibration Issue

[Donald Stanfield]

If you're saying that all "normal/light" steering wheels would have this problem if it was an issue with the weight of the steering wheel-I absolutely agree. Egad, something is amiss Watson!

Yes. That is a better way of stating what I was trying to say. Thank you.

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[madgrey]

I'm not an automotive engineer but this doesn't really seem like a legit fix to me. My wheel has zero shake at speed, so in order for a heavier wheel to be the solution to the problem I need to already have the heavier wheel. Otherwise why is mine perfect in this regard with yours having an issue?

Seems like a tolerance issue with suspension parts that the wheel is being band aided over. I hope this fixes it but something doesn't seem right here to me.

It's entirely possible that within different tire/wheel combinations, ride heights, tolerances and people's perceptions there can exist o.k and bad cases. I would guess this is a marginal harmonic vibration that probably should have been engineered out. Dampers are a legitimate engineering fix, especially when other factors like suspension and steering geometry are can't be changed, i.e. they are already engineered to meet all the other specs.

That being said, I suspect some more extreme cases are tire balance or build problems.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

It's entirely possible that within different tire/wheel combinations, ride heights, tolerances and people's perceptions there can exist o.k and bad cases. I would guess this is a marginal harmonic vibration that probably should have been engineered out. Dampers are a legitimate engineering fix, especially when other factors like suspension and steering geometry are can't be changed.

That being said, I suspect some more extreme cases are tire balance or build problems.

That's fair. My truck runs pretty consistently in sport mode with the 21" tires and I have absolutely no vibration or indication I'm going fast. It feels the same at 65 and 95 which has happened more than once.

I wouldn't mind a little bit above 75ish tbh as I've caught myself passing or keeping up with the flow of traffic looking down and going "oh shit" seeing the readout at 95. I agree though that its entirely possible that with different tires or at a different mode you'd get shake. Its just a surprising complaint to me as I have sports car level feedback at speed.

 

[iansriv]

Yes. That is a better way of stating what I was trying to say. Thank you.

Sir! I have been accused of many things in my life but eloquence is not one of them! I will forgive the slight given our posting history friendship.

 

[R1Tims]

I'm not an automotive engineer but this doesn't really seem like a legit fix to me. My wheel has zero shake at speed, so in order for a heavier wheel to be the solution to the problem I need to already have the heavier wheel. Otherwise why is mine perfect in this regard with yours having an issue?

Seems like a tolerance issue with suspension parts that the wheel is being band aided over. I hope this fixes it but something doesn't seem right here to me.

I am an Engineer. This is not the solution it's a bandaid to cover up the issue. If ALL vehicles had a vibration then yes a heavy wheel(?) would be the assumption of a design change to correct the issue. However, Not all have the issue. SO.... They are making a change to mitigate the effect of the cause. Which they know and can't fix, OR don't know and making a guess.

FYI We have 2 in the garage and neither have the issue.

 

[DuoRivians]

IMO, I think most of the vibrations originate from the variability in the tires

 

[MidnightRivian]

20” All Terrain and SUV will probably have more steering wheel shake compared to 21” or 22” tires on a truck.

Once all tires are at 50 lbs PSI. The steering shakes are reduced.

 

[LaJollaAaron]

My R1S consistently vibrtes starting around 82mph. I took it to service center. They told me:

a. This is a “known characteristic” and alignment is ok & no damage is occurring to tires etc. I believe them about the “known characteristic” I don’t believe them when they say nothing is being damaged etc. It cannot have zero effect on the vehicle.

b. They are attempting to fix it via an OTA software update. They had no date for when this supposed fix is coming.

 

[LaJollaAaron]

My R1S consistently vibrtes starting around 82mph. I took it to service center. They told me:

a. This is a “known characteristic” and alignment is ok & no damage is occurring to tires etc. I believe them about the “known characteristic” I don’t believe them when they say nothing is being damaged etc. It cannot have zero effect on the vehicle.

b. They are attempting to fix it via an OTA software update. They had no date for when this supposed fix is coming.

I have the Launch Edition with the 22” rims. Took delivery 10/25/22.

 

[SoCal Rob]

My R1S consistently vibrtes starting around 82mph. I took it to service center. They told me:

a. This is a “known characteristic” and alignment is ok & no damage is occurring to tires etc. I believe them about the “known characteristic” I don’t believe them when they say nothing is being damaged etc. It cannot have zero effect on the vehicle.

b. They are attempting to fix it via an OTA software update. They had no date for when this supposed fix is coming.

I wonder if their OTA update to address this involves reducing power steering assist at higher speeds. I explained here why I think this may be contributing to the steering wheel shake issue, but this thread is probably a better place to discuss it.

 

[NY_Rob]

My R1S consistently vibrates starting around 82mph. I took it to service center. They told me:

a. This is a “known characteristic” and alignment is ok & no damage is occurring to tires etc. I believe them about the “known characteristic” I don’t believe them when they say nothing is being damaged etc. It cannot have zero effect on the vehicle.

b. They are attempting to fix it via an OTA software update. They had no date for when this supposed fix is coming.

Sounds like BS to me... being a "known characteristic" does not mean it's acceptable. There should be no steering wheel shake at any speed period!
I ran a Model Y Performance last night and I bailed at 107mph with zero, and I mean zero wheel shake at even 107mph. My R1T was rock solid even at 100mph+ speeds.

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