Just checked my 30xxx VIN - also a month old. Mine are present and hand turned them to confirm if they are "tight". See photos below:
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Be aware! Missing Control Arm Nut: Potential Safety Issue
- Thread starter RoyalDoveMY
- Start date
Very good advice. Thank you. We will be doing that. Tesla is trying to make it right by giving us a loaner for the next couple of weeks while they order parts and get the Y fixed, but it is still very scary thinking how many other Y's are out there having this issue without the owners' knowing about it.
They likely are using Nord Lock's because they can easily be installed (well maybe not) by a robot. Looking at the marks, they may have been caused by an un-tightened nut "wobbling" around before the nut came off. If it had been fully or even slightly torqued I think there would be a more even imprint from the cams in the washers.
Yes, we noticed a clunking/crunching sound as we turned the wheel. Sadly, that should have been our signal there was major issue, but we didn't connect the dots.
Oh my goodness....I just placed an order for a MY a couple of days ago...should I just cancel it and wait a year until all the production quirks have been worked out? If such a defect affects 2 out of a 100 or so forum readers, it is likely to be far more widespread. I can tolerate minor body panel mis-alignments, or an occasional paint flaw, but this is a serious and potential life-threatening issue.
This clearly demonstrates that Tesla must put greater effort into quality control and the final inspection process. Why would a car (like my MY) that is released to the public with 6-12 cosmetic problems NOT have serious mechanical issues as well. If the inspectors are approving nearly every car for release, why would a couple of missing nuts stop them? Kinda sad.
completely agree...this product could be the greatest car ever made....but this is the summit of our efforts...sad...
CyberGus
Not Just a Member
This is not a "quality control" problem like loose trim or misaligned panels...no manufacturer's QC personnel double-check the torque of every fastener. Assuming that the design is sound when the nuts are properly torqued, then this is a manufacturing mistake. If the design is questionable, then it's an engineering mistake.
The source could be as simple as a line worker using a mis-calibrated torque wrench, or more likely a bad clutch on a power tool. If I had such a vehicle, I would verify torque with my own tools (assuming someone knows the correct spec).
Tesla should certainly make an engineering change to either use a captive nut of some kind, or have the line workers verify the torque of Nord-Lock nuts when they are installed.
The source could be as simple as a line worker using a mis-calibrated torque wrench, or more likely a bad clutch on a power tool. If I had such a vehicle, I would verify torque with my own tools (assuming someone knows the correct spec).
Tesla should certainly make an engineering change to either use a captive nut of some kind, or have the line workers verify the torque of Nord-Lock nuts when they are installed.
But the evidence at hand says that the nut wasn't missing at the time of production. And was likely there when the car was delivered as well.
This may be a case that the torque wrench that was used to tighten the fastener failed, and wasn't tightening to the spec that it was set to. Or it could be a manufacturing defect in the ball joint or the arm it attaches to. (Such that it was torqued to spec, but there was some molding "flash" that wore away and released the clamping force after some driving that allowed the nut to come loose and fall off.)
We will probably get the details in either a NHTSA recall or a TSB at some point.
rking0122
Member
One of the upsides to owning a Tesla is the ability to come to a place like this to talk cars and talk about things like this in almost real-time. If it is an issue, it'll come to light quickly.
Given the variables, seems like someone from Tesla would need to provide the torque data. Nord-Lock has a calculator available, but I’m not sure of the bolt type or washer type - assuming that it’s not a custom part for Tesla. Torque Guide for Nord-Lock Washers
steve841
Active Member
I’d imagine if it was a problem on the assembly line there would be several vehicles affected until someone noticed and fixed the issue. The worker would be obligated to stop the line and inform their supervisor so they could preemptively remedy the problem with any cars that made it passed that station before the problem was noticed.
Unless this was just a one off, there’s know way of knowing how many vehicles have loose parts unless they do an investigation on the cause.
Unless this was just a one off, there’s know way of knowing how many vehicles have loose parts unless they do an investigation on the cause.
Fun fact! Tesla was using those same faulty airbags in their cars thru 2016. Had both my old 2013 and our 2015 S recalled for that.
Suspensions have been an Achilles heel for Tesla for years now, it is disappointing they are still having issues.
Thanks for the info about their suspensions. Haven't noticed it yet, but will definitely keep it in mind.
I, too, am disappointed by the Tesla deficiences (along w/ Elon's sometimes stupid words/actions), but on the other hand I know that what they have done has been basically a miracle--something that no one else has been able to achieve. As a result, I choose to accept their flaws (though not deny) because their pros outweigh their cons. Tragic fact: ICE car companies have also demonstrated numerous deficiencies including the biggest-- knowingly (for decades) killing our future by accelerating our climate crisis.
BrownOuttaSpec
Active Member
If I was a model Y owner i definitely would buy some of this and go out and apply it, or at least use a permanent sharpie to mark the nut and bolt.
That's because all those companies (including Tesla) bought their airbags from the same manufacturer, Takata.
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