This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the front or rear radius arm (control arm) on a 2022 Rivian EDV 500 electric delivery van with dual motor AWD.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Radius arm (control arm) × 1 — Use OEM specification - specify front or rear
• Radius arm mounting bolts × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Ball joint nut (if equipped) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Bushing hardware kit × 1 — Use OEM specification if bushings separate

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks behind wheels that will remain on ground
3. Disconnect 12V battery negative terminal and wait 2 minutes for system discharge
4. Loosen wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground (do not remove)
5. Raise vehicle using floor jack at designated lift point
6. Support vehicle on heavy-duty jack stands at manufacturer-specified points
7. Remove wheel and tire assembly completely
8. Spray all suspension fasteners with penetrating oil and allow to soak for 10-15 minutes
9. Inspect radius arm and mounting points for damage or excessive corrosion

Procedure

1. 1

   Support suspension at ride height
   Position a floor jack or suspension load leveler under the lower suspension control point (knuckle or lower arm) to support the suspension at approximately normal ride height. This prevents binding when removing radius arm fasteners and controls suspension movement during disassembly.
2. 2

   Remove outer radius arm connection
   Locate the outer radius arm mounting point at the knuckle or wheel hub assembly. Remove the outer mounting bolt/nut using appropriate socket and breaker bar. If ball joint connection is used, remove the castle nut and use ball joint separator tool to disconnect. Note the orientation of any washers, shims, or spacers for reinstallation.
3. 3

   Disconnect sway bar link if applicable
   If the radius arm is connected to or interferes with the sway bar link, disconnect the sway bar link from the radius arm or control arm assembly. Hold the ball joint stud with a hex key while loosening the nut to prevent spinning.
4. 4

   Remove inner radius arm mounting bolts
   Locate the inner radius arm mounting point at the frame or subframe. There are typically one or two large bolts securing the arm through bushings. Remove these bolts completely, supporting the radius arm as you remove the final fastener. The arm may be heavy and under residual tension.
5. 5

   Extract radius arm from vehicle
   Carefully maneuver the radius arm out of the suspension assembly. It may be necessary to adjust the jack supporting the suspension or pivot the arm to clear other components. Inspect the mounting points on the frame and knuckle for damage, excessive wear, or corrosion.
6. 6

   Inspect and clean mounting surfaces
   Thoroughly clean all mounting surfaces on the frame, subframe, and knuckle using a wire brush. Remove rust, dirt, and old thread locking compound. Inspect bushings in the frame mounts for wear or damage. Check mounting bolt threads for damage or excessive corrosion.
7. 7

   Compare old and new radius arms
   Place the old and new radius arms side by side and verify they are identical in length, mounting hole positions, and bushing configuration. Check that all bushings are properly installed in the new arm and oriented correctly. Transfer any reusable brackets or components if applicable.
8. 8

   Install new radius arm to frame
   Position the new radius arm into the frame or subframe mounting location. Insert the inner mounting bolts through the arm bushings and frame brackets. Start the bolts by hand but do not fully tighten yet. Ensure bushings are seated properly and not twisted or binding.
9. 9

   Connect outer radius arm to knuckle
   Align the outer end of the radius arm with the mounting point on the knuckle or hub assembly. You may need to adjust the suspension jack to align bolt holes. Insert the outer mounting bolt or connect the ball joint, installing new hardware as specified. Start fasteners by hand.
10. 10

    Reconnect sway bar link if applicable
    If the sway bar link was disconnected, reconnect it to the radius arm or control arm assembly. Install new hardware if provided. Hold the ball joint stud with a hex key and start the nut by hand.
11. 11

    Torque all fasteners to specification
    With the suspension supported at normal ride height, torque all radius arm fasteners. Since specific torque values are not available in the database, consult the Rivian service manual for exact specifications. Typically, inner frame bolts require 100-150 ft-lb, outer knuckle connections 75-125 ft-lb, and sway bar link connections 35-50 ft-lb. Torque in the sequence: inner frame bolts first, then outer connections, then auxiliary connections.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall wheel and tire assembly, hand-tightening lug nuts in a star pattern
2. Lower vehicle carefully from jack stands using floor jack
3. Once vehicle weight is on wheels, torque lug nuts to specification in star pattern (typically 150 ft-lb for this vehicle class)
4. Reconnect 12V battery negative terminal
5. Remove wheel chocks

Verification

• Perform visual inspection of all radius arm connections to ensure proper installation and no interference with other components
• Bounce each corner of the vehicle to verify suspension moves freely without binding or unusual noises
• Check that all fasteners are properly torqued and that no tools or parts were left in the wheel well
• Test drive vehicle at low speed in a safe area, listening for unusual noises and verifying normal handling
• Schedule wheel alignment immediately - radius arm replacement affects camber, caster, and toe settings
• After 50-100 miles of driving, re-check all suspension fastener torque values

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