TMC is an independent, primarily volunteer organization that relies on ad revenue to cover its operating costs. Please consider whitelisting TMC on your ad blocker and becoming a Supporting Member. For more info: Support TMC
  1. TMC is currently READ ONLY.
    Click here for more info.

“Differential” wobble noise?

Discussion in 'Model X' started by chukiechz, Sep 7, 2020.

  1. chukiechz

    chukiechz Member

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2020
    Messages:
    95
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    Not sure if this is a normal sound or not. I’ve been noticing this sound more and more lately. Sounds like a diff noise when giving the car some part throttle around 30-40 mph. The wobble is sort of that inconsistent sound that is rotational in nature. Seem to be more pronounced yesterday climbing up some inclines in Malibu yesterday in range mode. Definitely can hear it when decelerating at those speeds.

    Has anyone else experienced this, or is it normal?

    I have a ‘16 P90D with about 50k miles.
     
  2. DrComputer

    DrComputer Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2009
    Messages:
    1,121
    Location:
    Sherman Oaks, CA
    Have you ever had your front half-shafts replaced? It is a well-documented issue that the half-shafts will warp under hard acceleration on performance models. The usual symptoms are a shaking / shudder under hard acceleration, but if you don't regularly accelerate hard you might also notice warped half-shafts when the front drive unit is under strain (up hills, down hills, on cold mornings, etc). Most performance model X owners have had multiple sets of half-shafts over the years (I've had four and a replacement front drive unit). Unfortunately, if you've never complained about this issue before and you don't have the extended warranty it might be hard to get the service center to replace them without trying to charge you for them if your car is now out of warranty.
     
  3. chukiechz

    chukiechz Member

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2020
    Messages:
    95
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    they were actually replaced in early February. Car is a used vehicle from Tesla, so warranty is still in play. Just wanted to see if there was something more specific I can tell them vs “wobble noise”, or if it’s a completely “normal” sound from the electric motor. It does sound like something slightly off balance somewhere
     
  4. DrComputer

    DrComputer Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2009
    Messages:
    1,121
    Location:
    Sherman Oaks, CA
    The other common issue in the front end of the Model X is that the air struts fail and make a "squeaking" noise when going over road imperfections or bumps. I've also had them replaced twice for this. Simple test is to put the car in "very high" and see if your "wobble noise" gets worse and see if it goes away when you put the car in "very low" mode.
     
  5. chukiechz

    chukiechz Member

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2020
    Messages:
    95
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    Lol, Right strut was just replaced in June.

    Thanks for helping me trouble shoot. It seems like the noise is not normal, so I’ll add it to the list of things to fix next time. It’s very inconvenient without loaner cars due to COVID (Costa Mesa), so I’m trying to wait until things pile up.
     
  6. chukiechz

    chukiechz Member

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2020
    Messages:
    95
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    Made a quick video. Range mode and light throttle around 35mph. Is this normal?

     
  7. Yinn

    Yinn Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2016
    Messages:
    2,071
    Location:
    Behind you
    Happens on non performance models too. Especially to those who tow since they’re usually in Standard and under load/high torque situations.
     
  8. chukiechz

    chukiechz Member

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2020
    Messages:
    95
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    So the sound is normal? I keep the car in low and not towing.
     
  9. Yinn

    Yinn Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2016
    Messages:
    2,071
    Location:
    Behind you
    That’s what the SC may tell you. It’s also normal if you mean it has the potential to happen to any Model X.

    But it certainly isn’t supposed to happen. The fix is half shaft/axle replacement, and then it’ll come back again at a later date.

    Edit: Just noticed you’re out of warranty. I’m curious to see if the SC will still deny it’s an issue or go straight to replacement since you’ll be paying for it.
     
  10. chukiechz

    chukiechz Member

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2020
    Messages:
    95
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    Im actually in warranty since I purchased it last December from Tesla. I did just get the axles replaced in February, and it is vibrating again driving in low. I brought it up last time and this is what they told me:


    Concern: Customer stated that the car vibrates under hard acceleration from a stand still
    Technician perform road test and verified there is a normal little vibration during the hard acceleration when suspension on standard. The vibration is more noticeable when suspension is on high/very high, but there is no vibration on low. This is normal characteristic of model X. Per engineers recommendation, not to set the suspension on high or very high during the hard acceleration or sharp turn. Doing so can cause vibration and increase the possibility of damag
     
  11. Aljohn

    Aljohn Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2014
    Messages:
    903
    Location:
    Georgia
    That is correct.... launch and hard acceleration should be done in low to align the half axles -- whether performance variant or long range.
     
  12. Yinn

    Yinn Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2016
    Messages:
    2,071
    Location:
    Behind you
    So are you asking for confirmation if what the SC is telling you is right? Or are you asking about a different sound/feel than what you had in Feb?
     
  13. chukiechz

    chukiechz Member

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2020
    Messages:
    95
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    I hadn’t really noticed the wobble noise before I posted this. I used range mode for the first time and it was quite pronounced. Since I bought the car used, I wasn’t sure if it’s how the car normally sounds, or if it’s something that should be addressed.

    If it’s related to the shudder, then it appears the SC is going to blow it off since I brought it back in for vibration even after replacing the axles, and they gave me the above response.

    If it’s something else, then I might press the issue more.
     
  14. Yinn

    Yinn Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2016
    Messages:
    2,071
    Location:
    Behind you
    Ok so there was no "wobble" but there was a "vibration" that led to replacements in Feb. So then this "wobble" is different than what you experienced in Feb. Is that right?

    This is important because if they are different you may have another problem. Especially since this last post says that range mode made it more pronounced. Range mode doesn't affect the axles/shudder problem that people are experiencing.
     
  15. chukiechz

    chukiechz Member

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2020
    Messages:
    95
    Location:
    Orange County, CA

    Correct. It’s a different sound and it’s something louder while going uphill at lower speeds, light throttle. Same noise while releasing the throttle and decelerating around the same speed.

    It’s definitely an sound more than a noticeable physical vibration. I used the word wobble to describe the sound, but there is no physical wobble. It just sounds wobbly or off balance

    I have a Chevy volt that has this high frequency noise when driving, so I was wondering if my wobble sound is something Tesla has as a weird quirk.

    Thanks for all the input!!
     
  16. Yinn

    Yinn Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2016
    Messages:
    2,071
    Location:
    Behind you
    Is it loud enough to take an audio recording of?

    Bad wheel bearings would be a whirring noise (some say grinding). Brake pads worn down would be a squealing noise (some say whining). Point is, want to make sure we remove some of the interpretations.

    I'd have a list of questions to see where I'd narrow it down.
    - Does it increase with heavier acceleration?
    - Is it only on hills?
    - Does it increase/decrease with speed?
    - Is there a corner it's coming from?
    - Does it sound Inner/core of the car, or outer/perimeter of the car?

    If it was me, I'd also try to coast down a hill in neutral to see if the wobble was drivetrain related or rolling related. I can't think of much that would make a wobble type of noise that I'd consider normal.
     
  17. chukiechz

    chukiechz Member

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2020
    Messages:
    95
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    I posted a video earlier, is it not working anymore? I can try to re upload if it’s broken. I like the idea of neutral. I’ll give it a go next time around.

    it does increase as speed increases. I think under heavy acceleration, it goes so fast that you don’t really notice. It is really in that 35mpg zone that it’s fairly noticeable. Definitely sounds from the front and inner core of car.
     
  18. Yinn

    Yinn Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2016
    Messages:
    2,071
    Location:
    Behind you
    I get a null from the video.
     
  19. Vitaman

    Vitaman Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2014
    Messages:
    465
    Location:
    Decatur, GA
    Don't mean to hijack this but would love insight on the noise in my 2019 High performance.
    At 5,000 miles I got a light clicking sound under hard acceleration up hills. Now at 6K it happens all the time under even light acceleration on flat roads. Sounds a bit like an internal combustion high performance engine fed a steady diet of low octane gas.
    There is no shudder involved just a strange unhealthy sound.
    Ideas?
     
  20. chukiechz

    chukiechz Member

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2020
    Messages:
    95
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    Oops had it set to private.
     

Share This Page

  • About Us

    Formed in 2006, Tesla Motors Club (TMC) was the first independent online Tesla community. Today it remains the largest and most dynamic community of Tesla enthusiasts. Learn more.
  • Do you value your experience at TMC? Consider becoming a Supporting Member of Tesla Motors Club. As a thank you for your contribution, you'll get nearly no ads in the Community and Groups sections. Additional perks are available depending on the level of contribution. Please visit the Account Upgrades page for more details.


    SUPPORT TMC