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Front suspension creak when turning but Tesla says normal

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2020 model x that just took delivery from Tesla Carlsbad. 36k miles. Car makes this creak sound which I would naturally think it’s a non-greased ball joint. But Tesla claims this is “normal noise” despite technician recognizing he heard this unusual noise. What do you guys think.

This is different noise than the squeaking with braking on. This happens without breaking.

 
This sounds like a front upper control arms issue. Had that on mine. Service Center replaced them under warranty.


Work done: Correction: Control Arm - Upper - Front - Pair (Remove and Replace)

Parts on invoice are:
FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY RIGHT HAND(1027327-00-F)
FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY LEFT HAND(1027322-00-F)

Zero dollar invoice.

Hope this helps!
 
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This sounds like a front upper control arms issue. Had that on mine. Service Center replaced them under warranty.
Work done: Correction: Control Arm - Upper - Front - Pair (Remove and Replace)
Parts on invoice are:
FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY RIGHT HAND(1027327-00-F)
FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY LEFT HAND(1027322-00-F)
Zero dollar invoice.
Hope this helps!
Same for me. They didn't even need to do a test drive after sitting in it and turning the steering wheel. Well known issue and even out of warranty they seem to only be charging for parts. ie. $90/side and <$200 out the door.

On the other hand, mine and others seem to be more than steerwheel turning noise. It was over small bumps in the road.
 
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Same for me. They didn't even need to do a test drive after sitting in it and turning the steering wheel. Well known issue and even out of warranty they seem to only be charging for parts. ie. $90/side and <$200 out the door.

On the other hand, mine and others seem to be more than steerwheel turning noise. It was over small bumps in the road.
Thanks guys, yes mine would squeak over bumps as well intermittently. The squeaking over turns can be easily reproduced and bothers me the most so I only mentioned that part.

I pushed back and going to show then the problem again today. Will report back.
 
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Thanks guys, yes mine would squeak over bumps as well intermittently. The squeaking over turns can be easily reproduced and bothers me the most so I only mentioned that part.

I pushed back and going to show then the problem again today. Will report back.

Here was my invoice with them just charging for the parts.

9M6BSca.jpg
 
I'm happy to report that during 2nd visit, lead technician diagnosed the problem easily. He knew it's coming from the lower control arm bushing, and simply applied grease and the noise went away. So no replacement and fix is easy for this particular noise.

Now the ranting part. I dont' understand why the SC can't just say something like "Hey we think the part is all fine, but we applied some grease and the noise will probably be gone now". Easy, Done.

The problem with Tesla is that, the tactic to avoid minimal effort by first denying nothing is wrong, then asking customer to pick up the car is just plainly annoying. They are basically training their customers to push back and demanding escalation all the time. Next time guess what I will say upfront? "I want the lead technician to diagnose this".
 
Doesn't making a hole to inject grease cause dirt to go into the part, making it more prone to noise relatively quickly afterwards? The point of the rubber boot is to protect the joint from getting dirt inside. Usually, these things should have grease fittings.
It is a needle so a small hole that 'encloses' on itself. 100s of these have been done *because* there was no grease fitting as all the videos state.

Wonder what Tesla tech meant by "we applied some grease"
 
It is a needle so a small hole that 'encloses' on itself. 100s of these have been done *because* there was no grease fitting as all the videos state.

Wonder what Tesla tech meant by "we applied some grease"
Actually, in my case, I believe the lead technician raised the car, and applied great to only LOWER control arms, and I watched him do it from a distance. Obviously that was the fix for me. It's been a few weeks and I have never heard the squeak yet. Unfortunately this does mean I had the different problems than the common UPPER control arm issue. Well, it is just a matter of time I guess.
 
*grease
Actually, in my case, I believe the lead technician raised the car, and applied great to only LOWER control arms, and I watched him do it from a distance. Obviously that was the fix for me. It's been a few weeks and I have never heard the squeak yet. Unfortunately this does mean I had the different problems than the common UPPER control arm issue. Well, it is just a matter of time I guess.
 
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There are three control arms on the front of the Model X. One on the top and two at the bottom. The lower front is the easiest one to change, the lower rear requires a bolt to be cut and the upper one you can do in 2-3.5 hours.. The right side is easy to change, left side has two brackets from hell that makes it more difficult.
 
Squeaking issues are same as Model 3/Y. Creaking when turning the wheel is usually the upper control arm, when going over bumps and turning it's usually a lower, but if a lower it can be due to a worn or torn rubber bush so greasing will be a temporary solution.
 
My '18 X is making the creaking noise, when I make the appointment on the app they want to charge me for the $240 diagnostic, and then I told them I had this same issue 30k miles ago and I just need a quote to replace the upper arms, then they gave me the quote to replace the upper control arms at $90ea for parts and no labor cost.

Today I am at the service center, they still want to charge me $240 for the diagnostic, their reason is they cannot change the part before they diagnose. But if they confirmed is the upper control arms issue they will waive the diagnostic charge. Have anyone run into this?
 
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My '18 X is making the creaking noise, when I make the appointment on the app they want to charge me for the $240 diagnostic, and then I told them I had this same issue 30k miles ago and I just need a quote to replace the upper arms, then they gave me the quote to replace the upper control arms at $90ea for parts and no labor cost.

Today I am at the service center, they still want to charge me $240 for the diagnostic, their reason is they cannot change the part before they diagnose. But if they confirmed is the upper control arms issue they will waive the diagnostic charge. Have anyone run into this?
Yes, I complained and the removed it. The tech sat in the car while I was there and ONLY had to turn the steering wheel to hear the creaking noise.
This creaking is happening to 1000s of Teslas so the $240 is just a profit grab. Talk to the service manager and make sure you get his name and tell them you are going to contact Tesla because this feels like a profit grab. I have multiple service center options if that is true for you then you can say does XYZ service center do this funny business as well.
 
Yes, I complained and the removed it. The tech sat in the car while I was there and ONLY had to turn the steering wheel to hear the creaking noise.
This creaking is happening to 1000s of Teslas so the $240 is just a profit grab. Talk to the service manager and make sure you get his name and tell them you are going to contact Tesla because this feels like a profit grab. I have multiple service center options if that is true for you then you can say does XYZ service center do this funny business as well.
Thank you for the tips!
As soon as the technician seat in it he confirms is the upper arms…eventho they STILL try to charge me for the diagnostic fee, I denied it and they were able to remove it from the quote.
 
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