This procedure covers the removal and replacement of trailing arm bushings on the rear suspension of a 2024 Rivian EDV 500 electric delivery van.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Trailing arm bushing kit (front or rear position as needed) × 1 — Use OEM Rivian specification
• Trailing arm mounting hardware kit if corroded × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks at front wheels
3. Open hood and disconnect 12V battery negative terminal
4. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
5. Lift rear of vehicle using approved lift points per Rivian service manual
6. Support vehicle on jack stands rated for at least 7000 lbs at designated frame support points
7. Remove rear wheel on side being serviced
8. Spray all trailing arm mounting bolts with penetrating oil and allow to soak for 15-20 minutes
9. Place hydraulic floor jack under trailing arm to support its weight

Procedure

1. 1

   Support trailing arm assembly
   Position a hydraulic floor jack with a wooden block on top directly under the trailing arm near the hub assembly. Raise jack until it just contacts the arm and supports its weight without lifting. This prevents the arm from dropping when fasteners are removed.
2. 2

   Remove shock absorber lower mounting bolt
   Locate the rear shock absorber lower mounting bolt that attaches to the trailing arm. Using a 21mm socket and breaker bar, remove the lower shock mounting bolt. Support the shock to prevent it from hanging on the upper mount. Set hardware aside for reinstallation.
3. 3

   Disconnect brake line bracket
   Locate any brake line brackets or ABS sensor wire brackets mounted to the trailing arm. Remove the mounting bolts using appropriate socket size and carefully position lines away from work area. Do not disconnect brake lines from calipers or wheel cylinders.
4. 4

   Remove trailing arm rear mounting bolt
   Locate the rear mounting point where the trailing arm connects to the frame or subframe (typically the bushing location furthest from the wheel hub). This may require accessing from multiple angles. Using a 24mm socket and breaker bar, remove the through-bolt that secures the trailing arm rear bushing. Note the orientation of any washers or spacers for reinstallation.
5. 5

   Remove trailing arm front mounting bolt
   Locate the forward mounting point of the trailing arm. Using appropriate socket size (typically 21mm or 24mm), remove the front mounting bolt while supporting the trailing arm with the jack. The arm should now be free to lower away from mounting points.
6. 6

   Remove trailing arm from vehicle
   Carefully lower the hydraulic jack while guiding the trailing arm clear of mounting brackets. Once lowered sufficiently, slide the trailing arm assembly out from under the vehicle. Place on a sturdy workbench for bushing removal. Inspect the arm for cracks, damage, or excessive corrosion.
7. 7

   Mark bushing orientation
   Before removing old bushings, carefully mark their rotational orientation relative to the trailing arm using a paint marker or scribe. Note any offset in the bushing bore or directional features. Take photos for reference during installation. This ensures proper alignment of the new bushing.
8. 8

   Press out old bushing
   Using a hydraulic press and appropriately sized bushing removal adapters, carefully press the old bushing out of the trailing arm. Apply pressure evenly and slowly to avoid damaging the arm bore. If bushing is bonded or severely corroded, you may need to cut away the rubber and collapse the inner sleeve before pressing out the outer shell.
9. 9

   Clean bushing bore
   Thoroughly clean the bushing bore in the trailing arm using a wire brush and solvent. Remove all rust, debris, and old bushing material. Inspect the bore for cracks, elongation, or damage. The bore must be clean and smooth for proper bushing installation. Check that bore diameter is within specification.
10. 10

    Install new bushing
    Apply a light coat of dish soap or approved assembly lubricant to the outer sleeve of the new bushing and the trailing arm bore. Align the bushing according to orientation marks made earlier. Using the hydraulic press with proper sized adapters that contact only the outer bushing sleeve, press the bushing squarely into the trailing arm bore until fully seated and flush with the arm face.
11. 11

    Reinstall trailing arm to vehicle
    Position the trailing arm assembly under the vehicle near its mounting points. Raise the trailing arm using the hydraulic jack into approximate position. Align the arm with front and rear frame mounting brackets. Apply anti-seize to mounting bolt threads if not using pre-coated hardware.
12. 12

    Install mounting bolts finger-tight
    Insert the front and rear trailing arm mounting bolts through the bushings and frame brackets. Thread bolts finger-tight only at this stage. Do not torque fasteners yet. Ensure all washers and spacers are in their correct positions as noted during disassembly. The suspension must be loaded to ride height before final torquing.
13. 13

    Reconnect shock absorber and brackets
    Install the shock absorber lower mounting bolt through the trailing arm. Thread finger-tight. Reinstall any brake line brackets or ABS sensor brackets removed earlier. Ensure all lines and wires have proper clearance and are not kinked or strained.
14. 14

    Load suspension and torque all fasteners
    With vehicle still on jack stands, raise the hydraulic jack under the trailing arm until the suspension is at normal ride height (tire would just contact ground). With suspension loaded, torque all trailing arm mounting bolts and shock absorber bolt to factory specifications obtained from official Rivian service information. Torque in sequence: rear bushing bolt, front bushing bolt, then shock bolt.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall wheel and torque lug nuts to Rivian specification in star pattern
2. Lower vehicle to ground using controlled descent
3. Remove jack stands and floor jack from under vehicle
4. Perform final torque check of wheel lug nuts with vehicle on ground
5. Reconnect 12V battery negative terminal
6. Bounce suspension several times to settle components

Verification

• Test drive vehicle at low speed in safe area and listen for any clunks or unusual noises from rear suspension
• Verify proper vehicle tracking and no pulling to either side
• Inspect trailing arm mounting points for proper alignment and no gaps
• Schedule alignment check within 50 miles of repair to verify suspension geometry
• Re-inspect all fasteners for proper torque after 100 miles of driving

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