Wheel Alignment

Perform a complete four-wheel alignment on a 2025 Rivian EDV 500 to restore proper suspension geometry and tire wear characteristics.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Tie rod lock nuts (if corroded) × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Cam bolt hardware (if damaged) × 4 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Verify all four tires are inflated to manufacturer specification (check door placard). Uneven tire pressure will cause inaccurate alignment readings.
2. Inspect all suspension components for damage, excessive wear, or looseness. Repair any issues before attempting alignment.
3. Check wheel bearings for play and inspect tie rod ends, ball joints, and control arm bushings for wear.
4. Ensure vehicle fuel (charge) level is between 25-75% to approximate normal operating weight.
5. Remove any heavy cargo from vehicle to achieve proper ride height.
6. Verify alignment machine is compatible with Rivian EDV 500 wheelbase and weight specifications.
7. Confirm you have current Rivian EDV 500 alignment specifications (caster, camber, toe) for this model year.

Procedure

1. 1

   Position vehicle on alignment rack
   Drive vehicle slowly onto alignment rack, centering wheels on turntables and slip plates. Ensure vehicle is positioned squarely with steering wheel centered. Apply parking brake and place vehicle in Park mode.
2. 2

   Prepare vehicle for measurement
   Bounce each corner of the vehicle several times to settle suspension at normal ride height. Rock the vehicle side-to-side to ensure suspension is not bound. Install steering wheel holder to maintain centered position throughout alignment procedure.
3. 3

   Install alignment sensors
   Attach alignment wheel clamps or adapters to all four wheels according to alignment machine manufacturer instructions. Ensure clamps are secure and sensors are properly positioned. Run compensation procedure on alignment machine to calibrate sensors to wheel rim runout.
4. 4

   Perform initial measurement
   Complete pre-alignment measurement using alignment machine. Record all initial readings for caster, camber, and toe on both front and rear axles. Compare readings to Rivian EDV 500 specifications to determine which adjustments are required.
5. 5

   Adjust rear camber (if required)
   If rear camber is out of specification, access the upper control arm cam bolts at the chassis mounting points. Loosen cam bolt nuts and rotate eccentric cam washers to move the wheel in or out as needed. Make small adjustments and re-measure. Rear camber adjustment affects rear toe, so adjust camber first.
6. 6

   Adjust rear toe
   Loosen the rear toe link lock nuts at the rear suspension knuckle or cradle connection point. Rotate the toe adjustment links to achieve proper rear toe setting (typically close to zero or slightly toe-in per Rivian specification). Equal adjustment on both sides maintains thrust angle. Tighten lock nuts after adjustment.
7. 7

   Adjust front camber (if required)
   Access front upper control arm or strut mounting cam bolts. Loosen cam bolt mounting nuts and rotate eccentric cam to adjust camber angle. The EDV 500 typically uses cam bolts at the upper strut mount or upper control arm mount for camber adjustment. Make equal adjustments side-to-side for consistent handling.
8. 8

   Adjust front caster (if required)
   If caster is out of specification, adjust using the front suspension cam bolts. Moving the top of the strut or control arm forward decreases caster; moving rearward increases caster. Caster adjustments may affect camber, so recheck camber after caster adjustment and fine-tune as needed.
9. 9

   Adjust front toe
   Loosen tie rod lock nuts on both inner and outer tie rod connections. Hold the tie rod end with a wrench to prevent it from turning while loosening lock nuts. Rotate the tie rod adjustment sleeve or inner tie rod to lengthen or shorten the tie rod assembly. Turn clockwise to increase toe-in, counterclockwise to decrease. Make equal adjustments to both sides to maintain centered steering wheel.
10. 10

    Perform final measurement and verification
    Complete final alignment measurement sweep with alignment machine. Verify all angles (front and rear caster, camber, toe, and thrust angle) are within Rivian EDV 500 specifications and highlighted in green on alignment machine display. Steering wheel should be centered with vehicle tracking straight.
11. 11

    Test drive vehicle
    Remove alignment equipment and steering wheel holder. Carefully drive vehicle off alignment rack. Test drive at various speeds to verify straight-line tracking and centered steering wheel. Listen for any unusual noises from suspension or steering components. Return to rack if steering wheel is off-center or vehicle pulls to one side.

Reassembly

1. Ensure all tie rod lock nuts are tightened securely to prevent adjustment changes during operation.
2. Verify all cam bolt nuts are properly torqued and secured.
3. Remove steering wheel holder and alignment sensors.
4. Print and provide alignment report showing before and after measurements.

Verification

• All alignment angles (caster, camber, toe, thrust angle) must be within Rivian EDV 500 specifications and shown as green/acceptable on alignment report.
• Steering wheel must be centered when driving straight with hands off wheel on level road.
• Vehicle should track straight without pulling left or right during test drive.
• No unusual tire scrubbing noise or steering binding should be present.
• Verify toe measurements are equal side-to-side to ensure symmetrical adjustment.
• Thrust angle should be within 0.10 degrees of centerline to prevent dog-tracking.

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