Welcome to Tesla Motors Club
Discuss Tesla's Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y, Cybertruck, Roadster and More.
Register

6K miles, metal on metal grinding noise - Do my break pads look ok?

This site may earn commission on affiliate links.
Hi all. I first noticed an intermittent rhythmic tapping sound about two weeks ago in my 2022 LR with now 6K miles that appeared with deceleration. It had briefly gone away but came back with a vengeance and now definitely sounds like metal on metal grinding. I set up an appointment when it first began, but still can’t take it in until next week. Just want to make sure I won’t have a break failure/wheel fall off before then. Not sure if anyone can tell much from the pics, but will post both sides. I think the noise is left rear.
2AB2CB6F-C00C-4B79-BB8B-B84AF03CDA0A.jpeg
 

Attachments

  • 5EFAF83C-8FD8-4064-821B-6DA4270C7E79.jpeg
    5EFAF83C-8FD8-4064-821B-6DA4270C7E79.jpeg
    430.9 KB · Views: 113
  • 3F777B2E-F99C-42ED-B0E0-DCD0E9C9B102.jpeg
    3F777B2E-F99C-42ED-B0E0-DCD0E9C9B102.jpeg
    267.9 KB · Views: 128
  • 9D629672-9B01-4A64-8E62-8E4E70227500.jpeg
    9D629672-9B01-4A64-8E62-8E4E70227500.jpeg
    346.6 KB · Views: 136
  • 5D452849-B372-4928-B537-FB78BD263AF6.jpeg
    5D452849-B372-4928-B537-FB78BD263AF6.jpeg
    521.8 KB · Views: 127
  • F9A0A5CF-940F-4A00-8C97-2060E98391D6.jpeg
    F9A0A5CF-940F-4A00-8C97-2060E98391D6.jpeg
    361.6 KB · Views: 124
  • FCDE33CC-901F-4579-8FF0-079A6DECAAF7.jpeg
    FCDE33CC-901F-4579-8FF0-079A6DECAAF7.jpeg
    281.5 KB · Views: 112
I'd suggest giving all the wheel nuts some tightening (preferably with a torque wrench). Years ago I've had "intermittent rhythmic tapping sound" in my WRX, turns out one of the wheel nuts was loose and the entire wheel was wobbling just enough to make a tapping/grinding noise every rotation. I thought it was wheel bearings or brakes at first. From your photos, the brakes look perfectly fine.
 
So after trying the instructions for possible pebble in this thread, Metallic Grinding / Scraping noise (known problem) the noise is gone. Who knew a pebble could cause such a noise. So I guess it started with a small pebble getting in between the aero cap and wheel causing the quieter rhythmic tapping and eventually getting stuck causing the extremely loud scraping sound?
 
Well the sound is back again after about 36 hours. Not sure if the pebble just got repositioned, but the trick above didn’t work this time.
Whatever you do, do not put grease or lubricant on the rotors. I say this halfway in just, and halfway serious. There are old reports of people greasing up their brakes because they were making noise. That is not considered a solution, because the brakes would stop functioning as brakes. I hope you get it resolved, and let us know.
 
That PSA applies to rotors AND pads, the whole system that is supposed to create friction :) When cleaning and lubricating brakes there is a very small area on the brake pad retaining system where grease goes and nowhere else. If you do not know how to clean/lubricate brakes, please don't touch them yourself!
EDIT: sometimes cleaning/lubricating the brakes does help resolve some noise issues as far as I know.
 
  • Like
Reactions: android04
I still have my service appointment scheduled for next week and will report back. It is odd that it did go away and has come back. So I just wonder if they have to take it off to get whatever it may be out, or if they have to live or tighten anything. Definitely not going to tinker.
 
Now you mention the collision. It is possible something is rubbing on the slightly out of true rotor. Since it happens at speed, it might be something that get pushed from the pressure of wind during higher speeds. If not the rotors, possibly rubbibg with the drive axles, but not likely.
 
Yeah the sound didn’t come on until 1-2 weeks or so after the accident, and was pretty minor. And then for it to go away and now back again. We will see what the service center says next week. The shop said they would fix hidden damage so not sure if Tesla would fix or just defer to the shop.
 
Just throwing my two cents. I have worn the brakes in an old car down to the wear indicators, and the sound is an unmistakable high pitched squeal that is continuous when you apply the brakes. I imagine Tesla's wear indicator would be similar. An example is below:

Your video doesn't sound like that (sounds like it is skipping and not constant), so it's unlikely due to pad wear.