My title is François Claire, host of the YouTube channel Storage, Automobiles and Rock’n Roll and, on this “Clear Mechanics” part, I share my expertise as an novice mechanic, fan of outdated and up to date know-how, and proprietor of Tesla Mannequin 3, the topic of as we speak’s video!
Some Tesla Mannequin 3s have a identified downside: after a couple of tens of hundreds of kilometers, they begin to make noise within the entrance axle. That is notably noticeable when turning whereas driving at low speeds or when the automobile is loaded with weight.
A Tesla service bulletin (quantity SB-20-31-006 R3 for insiders) describes the issue. There may be the truth is a risk that water will infiltrate on the stage of the higher wishbone, go over the ball joint and, over time, come to corrode its floor. This results in these well-known squeaking noises. However, in line with Tesla, there isn’t any affect on the efficiency of the half or threat of breakage. The indicated therapy is to redo the joint utilizing a silicone-type product. Tesla made an in depth tutorial with footage.
That is one thing the Tesla service heart usually dealt with on my Mannequin 3 final 12 months. I had no noise within the entrance axle and had introduced my automotive to them for different minor points, as I had informed within the video under.
Right here’s an excerpt from the bill that reveals they preemptively addressed this concern:
The phrases “triangle”, “ball joint” or “silentbloc” will be abstruse for the neophyte. I’ll attempt to describe them as finest as I can in order that we perceive what we’re speaking about:
- Triangle de suspension : it’s a half that connects the wheel hub to the body. The wheel hub is the half that incorporates the ball bearing and the wheel axle.
- Body : we are going to say for simplicity that it’s the underside of the automotive. We discuss a triangle as a result of there are three attachment factors: two on the aspect of the body (normally silent blocks) and one on the aspect of the wheel hub (ball joint).
- Kneecap of suspension : it’s a mechanical half that enables the articulation of two adjoining elements in all instructions (with a restricted diploma of motion). Additionally referred to as pivot.
- Silentbloc : it’s a rubber half (elastomer) that absorbs vibrations between two metallic elements. There are a number of in a automotive to soak up the vibrations of the operating gear or the engine
So, my Tesla Mannequin 3 having had this preventative therapy in August 2021, I believed I might by no means have this squeaky entrance finish downside. Mistake ! In October 2022, with the primary chilly snap, it begins to creak barely.
More often than not, these squeaks have one other origin. That is typically because of the silentblocks of the stabilizer bar (system which permits good street holding in bends). This manifests itself considerably when going over a velocity bump: a squealing sound is heard once you go up on it, then once you go down once more. I had made a video to indicate how I cope with this frequent little downside.
There, given that there’s this identified downside, I inform myself that this little squeak could not come from the silent blocks of the stabilizer bar, however from these ball joints contaminated with water. As well as, testimonials from TM3 homeowners abound on this course like this one on Twitter.
My 2018 Mannequin 3 resealed Jul ’21 @46K however squeak began Friday Jul 1 ’22 @59Kin app booked Cell Service, as we speak they changed:
FR UPR CTRL ARM ASSY, LEFT HAND(1044321-00-J)
FR UPR CTRL ARM ASSY, RH(1044326-00-J)
in 1 hr & didn’t cost labor, $177.50(+tax).Nice expertise! pic.twitter.com/JSdQU6s949
— Paul Bra’s | TinkerTry.com 🖥️🔌☀️🔋🚗 (@paulbraren) July 7, 2022
It’s precisely the identical story for this American buyer because it was for me: jointed ball joints and a 12 months later, squeaks. Tesla finally changed him with your entire high wishbones. New ball joints, new silent blocks, downside solved. All the pieces was taken below guarantee.
Assure ? What assure? For Mannequin 3s, it’s 4 years of common guarantee or 80,000 km, whichever comes first. I look in my Tesla app and that is what I see:
Commonplace guarantee till August 2023, nice, I’ve time. Alternatively, the place am I when it comes to mileage? I verify: 79342 km! It’s restrict! I rush to make an appointment (very simple from the Tesla app) hoping that it’s going to go below guarantee… There is no such thing as a hazard of using with a squeaky ball joint for some time. The appointment is in a few weeks, will probably be nice. Alternatively, I’ll absolutely exceed 80,000.
A number of days later, I discover myself on the Tesla Service Heart. I obtained an estimate by which is supplied for the alternative of the 2 higher suspension wishbones, that’s. It isn’t a shock. The welcome is heat, a mechanic takes care of my automotive. The deliberate operation is sort of fast, I’m going to attend of their ready room.
Instantly, they arrive to get me to inform me that there can be extra work than anticipated. Oh no ! What occurred in my entrance axle? What elements have been changed ultimately? How lengthy has my automotive been caught on the Service Heart? Was the job completed nicely? Was this all lined below guarantee? And if not, how a lot did I pay?
The solutions to all these questions will be present in my video of the day:
The one unanswered query is: does a entrance finish design concern have an effect on Tesla Mannequin 3s (and due to this fact doubtlessly Mannequin Ys as nicely)? To reply it, I must do a couple of extra tens of hundreds of kilometers…
