Rear Suspension Service

Complete inspection and service of the rear suspension components including shocks, springs, control arms, and bushings on the Rivian EDV 500 electric delivery van.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear shock absorbers × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Rear control arm bushings × 4 — Use OEM specification
• Rear sway bar end links × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Suspension fastener kit × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Place vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Use Rivian diagnostic scanner to place vehicle in service mode and disable high-voltage systems
3. Disconnect 12V auxiliary battery negative terminal
4. Raise vehicle on lift to working height, ensuring proper lift point placement per Rivian service manual
5. Remove both rear wheels and set aside
6. Spray all suspension fasteners with penetrating oil and allow 15 minutes to soak
7. Support rear differential/motor assembly with transmission jack to prevent strain on mounts
8. Take photos of suspension component positions for reference during reassembly

Procedure

1. 1

   Disconnect ride height sensors and ABS wiring
   Locate ride height sensor on rear suspension. Disconnect electrical connector by pressing release tab. Unclip ABS wheel speed sensor wiring from control arm routing clips. Label all connectors for proper reinstallation.
2. 2

   Remove rear sway bar end links
   Support sway bar with jack stand. Remove upper and lower end link mounting nuts from both sides. Use additional wrench to hold ball stud while removing nut. Remove end links from vehicle and inspect for wear or damage.
3. 3

   Disconnect shock absorber lower mounting
   Place floor jack under lower control arm for support. Remove shock absorber lower mounting bolt. Carefully lower jack to relieve tension on shock. Note: EDV 500 uses electronically controlled dampers; handle wiring harness carefully.
4. 4

   Remove shock absorber upper mounting
   Access upper shock mount from inside cargo area by removing trim panel or access cover. Disconnect shock absorber electrical connector if equipped with adaptive damping. Remove upper mounting nuts while supporting shock from below. Remove shock absorber assembly from vehicle.
5. 5

   Compress and disassemble coil spring if required
   If replacing springs or inspecting spring isolators, install spring compressor tool according to manufacturer instructions. Compress spring evenly until tension is removed from upper mount. Remove upper shock nut using appropriate socket. Carefully release spring compressor and separate components. Inspect spring isolators, bump stops, and dust boots.
   ⚠️Improper spring compression can result in violent release. Ensure compressor tool is properly seated and evenly tightened before removing upper mount.
6. 6

   Remove rear upper control arm
   Support suspension knuckle with jack. Remove upper control arm-to-knuckle bolt. Remove upper control arm chassis mounting bolts. Carefully extract control arm from vehicle. Inspect ball joint and bushings for wear, cracking, or separation.
7. 7

   Remove rear lower control arm
   With suspension still supported, remove lower control arm-to-knuckle bolt. Remove lower control arm chassis mounting bolts, noting position of any adjustment shims or cams. Remove lower control arm from vehicle. Mark orientation of bushings before removal.
8. 8

   Inspect and replace bushings
   Use bushing press tool to remove worn bushings from control arms. Clean control arm bores with wire brush and inspect for cracks or damage. Press new bushings into control arms ensuring proper orientation per Rivian specifications. Bushings should be fully seated with even contact around perimeter.
   ⚠Control arm bushings must be installed in specific orientations. Reference removed bushings or service manual before pressing new bushings.
9. 9

   Install lower control arm
   Position lower control arm into chassis mounts. Install chassis mounting bolts finger-tight. Connect control arm to knuckle and install bolt finger-tight. Do not fully torque fasteners until vehicle is at ride height with wheels installed.
10. 10

    Install upper control arm
    Position upper control arm into chassis mounts. Install chassis mounting bolts finger-tight. Connect control arm to knuckle and install bolt finger-tight. Verify ball joint boot is properly seated and not twisted.
11. 11

    Reassemble and install shock absorber
    If disassembled, reassemble shock absorber with new or inspected components. Install spring, isolators, and bump stop in correct orientation. Use spring compressor to compress spring and install upper mount. Install shock assembly into vehicle, securing upper mount first. Reconnect electrical connector for adaptive damping if equipped. Install lower mounting bolt finger-tight.
12. 12

    Install sway bar end links
    Position new or inspected sway bar end links between sway bar and lower control arm. Install upper and lower mounting nuts finger-tight. Hold ball stud with wrench while tightening nut to prevent spinning.
13. 13

    Reconnect sensors and wiring
    Reconnect ride height sensor electrical connector. Route ABS wheel speed sensor wiring through control arm clips, ensuring proper clearance and no interference with suspension travel. Verify all connectors are fully seated and locked.
14. 14

    Lower vehicle to ride height and torque fasteners
    Install rear wheels and lower vehicle until suspension is at normal ride height. Torque all suspension fasteners to Rivian specifications in the following order: control arm chassis mounts, control arm-to-knuckle bolts, shock absorber mounts, sway bar end links. Refer to Rivian service information for specific torque values as they are not provided in this database.
    ⚠Suspension fasteners must be torqued at ride height to prevent bushing bind and premature wear. Do not fully torque with suspension hanging.
15. 15

    Complete system verification
    Reconnect 12V auxiliary battery. Use Rivian diagnostic scanner to exit service mode and reactivate high-voltage systems. Clear any suspension-related fault codes. Perform ride height sensor calibration procedure using diagnostic tool. Test adaptive damping system if equipped by cycling through drive modes.

Reassembly

1. Torque all fasteners to manufacturer specifications with suspension at ride height
2. Ensure all electrical connectors are properly seated and locked
3. Verify no interference exists between suspension components throughout full range of travel
4. Install wheels and torque lug nuts to specification in star pattern
5. Perform final verification of ride height sensor calibration

Verification

• Road test vehicle and verify suspension operates smoothly without noise or harshness
• Verify no warning lights or fault codes are present on instrument cluster
• Check for any fluid leaks around rear differential and motor assembly
• Verify adaptive damping system responds correctly to drive mode changes if equipped
• Schedule four-wheel alignment to verify suspension geometry is within specification
• Re-torque all suspension fasteners after 50-100 miles of operation
• Verify ride height is within specification using diagnostic scanner

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