Perform a complete four-wheel alignment on a 2022 Rivian EDV 500, adjusting camber, caster, and toe angles to factory specifications to ensure proper tire wear and vehicle handling.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Tie rod end lock nuts (if damaged or corroded) × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Alignment adjustment hardware kit (if worn) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Verify that all four tires are inflated to manufacturer-recommended pressures (typically 60 psi front, 65 psi rear for EDV 500, but check door placard).
2. Inspect all four tires for uneven wear patterns that may indicate existing alignment issues or suspension damage.
3. Check all suspension components for wear, damage, or looseness: control arms, ball joints, tie rod ends, bushings, and shock absorbers.
4. Verify that the vehicle is at curb weight with no excessive cargo load. Fuel level is not applicable, but ensure battery state of charge is between 20-80%.
5. Ensure the vehicle has been driven at least 10 feet forward in a straight line before positioning on the alignment rack to settle the suspension.
6. Position the vehicle on the alignment rack with wheels centered on turnplates and slip plates.
7. Release parking brake and place transmission in Park mode.
8. Lock the steering wheel in the straight-ahead position using a steering wheel holder.

Procedure

1. 1

   Install alignment sensors and perform compensation
   Attach alignment targets or wireless sensors to all four wheels according to the alignment machine manufacturer's instructions. Ensure sensors are securely mounted to the wheel rims and properly calibrated. Perform the rolling compensation procedure by following the alignment machine prompts, typically rolling the vehicle forward and backward to establish a baseline for wheel runout and sensor positioning.
2. 2

   Perform initial alignment measurement
   With the vehicle settled on the alignment rack and steering wheel locked straight, take initial readings of all alignment angles: front and rear camber, front caster, front and rear toe, thrust angle, and setback. Record all measurements and compare to Rivian factory specifications. Note any angles that are out of tolerance.
3. 3

   Check and adjust rear toe
   Begin with rear toe adjustment as it affects front alignment readings. Access the rear toe adjustment links located at the inboard side of the rear suspension control arms. Loosen the jam nuts on the toe adjustment links using an adjustable wrench. Rotate the adjustment link to achieve the specified toe setting (typically 0.0° to +0.20° total rear toe). The link threads will lengthen or shorten the effective control arm length. Make equal adjustments to both sides to maintain thrust angle at near zero.
4. 4

   Verify rear camber and caster
   Check rear camber readings. The Rivian EDV 500 rear camber is typically non-adjustable without eccentric bolts or aftermarket adjustment kits. If rear camber is out of specification (typically -0.5° to -1.5°), inspect for bent suspension components, worn bushings, or chassis damage. Document findings and inform the customer if replacement parts are needed. Rear caster is not applicable on this rear suspension design.
5. 5

   Adjust front toe
   Access the front tie rod ends at each front wheel. Loosen the tie rod jam nuts located at the inner tie rod connection. Hold the inner tie rod stationary with one wrench while loosening the outer jam nut with another. Rotate the outer tie rod end to lengthen or shorten the tie rod assembly, adjusting toe angle. Turn the tie rod end clockwise to increase toe-in, counterclockwise to decrease toe-in. Make small adjustments and recheck readings frequently. Target specification is typically 0.0° to +0.15° total front toe.
6. 6

   Check front camber
   Verify front camber readings. The EDV 500 front camber may be adjustable via eccentric cam bolts at the upper or lower control arm mounting points, depending on model year and configuration. If camber is out of specification (typically -0.3° to -1.0°) and adjustment bolts are present, loosen the cam bolt nut at the strut or control arm connection. Rotate the eccentric cam to move the wheel in or out, changing the camber angle. If no adjustment is available and camber is out of spec, inspect for bent components.
7. 7

   Check and adjust front caster
   Verify front caster readings (typically +3.0° to +5.0°). Caster adjustment on the EDV 500 is typically achieved through eccentric cam bolts at the front lower control arm or through shim adjustment at the upper strut mount. If caster is out of specification, loosen the appropriate adjustment bolts and rotate the cam or add/remove shims to move the lower ball joint forward or rearward relative to the upper mount. Caster adjustments will affect camber, so recheck camber after adjusting caster.
8. 8

   Tighten all front adjustment hardware
   Once front camber, caster, and toe are within specification, tighten all adjustment hardware. Tighten tie rod jam nuts while holding the tie rod end to prevent rotation. Tighten any eccentric cam bolts or adjustment nuts. Since no torque specifications are provided in the database, refer to the Rivian service manual for proper torque values, typically 50-75 ft-lb for tie rod jam nuts and 100-150 ft-lb for cam bolts.
9. 9

   Tighten rear adjustment hardware
   Return to the rear suspension and tighten all rear toe adjustment link jam nuts. Hold the adjustment link body stationary while tightening the jam nuts to prevent the adjustment from rotating. Refer to Rivian service specifications for proper torque values.
10. 10

    Perform final alignment measurement
    With all adjustment hardware tightened, settle the suspension by bouncing each corner of the vehicle gently or rolling the vehicle forward and backward slightly (if rack allows). Take final alignment measurements and verify that all angles are within factory specification ranges. Verify that the steering wheel is centered when the wheels are pointed straight ahead. Record all final alignment angles.
11. 11

    Perform steering wheel centering check
    Remove the steering wheel lock and power on the vehicle to accessory mode. Visually inspect the steering wheel position with the front wheels pointed straight ahead. The steering wheel should be centered with the Rivian logo upright. If the steering wheel is off-center by more than 5 degrees, equal toe adjustments are needed on both sides. Make equal and opposite adjustments to the left and right tie rods to center the wheel without changing total toe.

Reassembly

1. Remove all alignment sensors or targets from the wheels.
2. Remove the steering wheel lock and brake pedal depressor if used.
3. Verify that all suspension adjustment hardware is properly tightened and that no tools or equipment have been left near the vehicle.
4. Lower the vehicle from the alignment rack and perform a final visual inspection of all four wheels.

Verification

• Test drive the vehicle in a straight line on a level road surface. The vehicle should track straight with no pulling to either side.
• Verify that the steering wheel is centered when driving straight and returns to center smoothly after turns.
• Check for any unusual tire noise or vibration that might indicate improper adjustment or damaged suspension components.
• Provide the customer with a printed alignment report showing before and after measurements, with all final readings highlighted in green (within spec).
• Advise the customer to monitor tire wear patterns over the next 5,000 miles and return if uneven wear develops.

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