Clunking sound is costing me a bundle to fix out of warranty

[brkaus]

It is problem when when there are no dealers or competition. You have no recourse. You just have to accept the problems and pay

Dealers are not magic. They refused to address an intermittent problem on my non-Tesla car. I had to go to the manufacturer. Even then, they only paid for the part and I had to pay the overpriced dealer labor.

 

[David.85D]

I think what people are discovering is the 8 year / many miles warranty is limited to "drive unit" and not "drivetrain".

Given the high cost and restricted access to parts, we should all start lobbying Tesla and Elon to reword the "drive unit" warranty to include "drivetrain". Seems to be what people expect, and reasonable for Tesla to cover these additional parts (half shafts, wheel bearings, etc) based on reasonably anticipated longevity.

 

[demundus]

But I've had the clunk 3 times fixed under warranty, are we saying this clunk is different and is an axle problem?

 

[David.85D]

Several of the people here have gone out of the 4 year / 50,000 mile warranty and have been denied warranty claims, and given estimates in excess of $3000. I am advocating for the idea that this issue should be included in the 8 year / unlimited mile warranty ("unlimited miles" varied with model) - by rewording the "drive unit" warranty to include "drive train".

 

[DarkMatter]

But I've had the clunk 3 times fixed under warranty, are we saying this clunk is different and is an axle problem?

There is a clunk which can be caused by half shaft splines. It's a common enough problem that the tech knew the fix instantly upon hearing the issue. The service advisors initially thought it was a drive unit problem so I actually had to reschedule my service appointment for later when the parts would be in. So it seems possible there are a couple of different problems that can result in a clunking sound when you switch drive to reverse.

 

[hj-45]

Wife tells me this weekend, her S40 is making a noise. It is definitely something with the half shaft at 53k miles. Disappointing that the part is $900, there is no aftermarket source, and I have no access to a service manual. I fix this type of thing myself on my other vehicles and would have no problem working on the Tesla if I had the torque specs to put everything back together. I am still in sticker shock from paying $1800 for the 48k maintenance on two cars, then this happens.

 

[jelloslug]

Wife tells me this weekend, her S40 is making a noise. It is definitely something with the half shaft at 53k miles. Disappointing that the part is $900, there is no aftermarket source, and I have no access to a service manual. I fix this type of thing myself on my other vehicles and would have no problem working on the Tesla if I had the torque specs to put everything back together. I am still in sticker shock from paying $1800 for the 48k maintenance on two cars, then this happens.

The service manual is "available" if you look for it.

 

[AmpedRealtor]

The service manual is "available" if you look for it.

Only if you live in Massachusetts.

 

[jelloslug]

Only if you live in Massachusetts.

Or if you have access to eBay...

 

[PrGrPa]

Sounds like a fair deal compared to some Mercedes-Benz bills I've had in the past. CV joint replacement on a modest A-Class was not cheap. This was with a car only a couple of year's old with <20,000 UK miles on it. Though I have to say MB have been fair with some things.

 

[TSLA Pilot]

The definition of a Drivetrain is all of the components connecting the motor to the wheels(including axels). Powertrain is the drivetrain plus the motor. Tesla does not have a "drivetrain" warranty like BMW. Tesla has a "Drive Unit" warranty.

The "drive unit" itself which contains the motor, inverter & gearbox is covered. I recall the mechanics stating the P85 drive unit was a $150 remanufactured part, after subtracting the core cost of the original. If you really do need axels, then those prices look accurate(assuming they don't give core recovery prices). If that Tesla service isn't sure the parts will fix it, find a different service center. Choose one of the older centers that's been around since 2013 if possible. Make sure they completed all of the service bulletins on your car. If they skipped a related bulletin that was at the discretion of the inspecting mechanic during your 4 year period, you can argue that they should have done that bulletin. If it came out during your ESA period, they should still do it for free now, since they opted not to earlier.

I originally bought a demo P85 in 2013 (no miles, just a mall show car). When I had a clunking noise, they replaced only the drive unit and added the bulletins updated washers and wire ties. Then when that reman unit started rumbling they replaced it again, more bulletins, didn't have any issues after that. I've never heard of a base S60 having the same issue, it was always the P85's (and roadsters) that were in the local shop for repairs.

Honestly, the noise won't leave you stranded for a long time. if it's not noticeable just keep it another 10 years. I'm actually surprised the service center didn't pre-empt the conversation by giving you the trade-in offer. You may not want to consider it at all, or maybe you do. Sell Tesla the S 60, and they will send you off in a new or pre-owned 75D. Tesla sales probably won't count the repair against the trade in value, since the new owner gets a fresh warranty anyway. Not sure your car specs, but trade in might be around $35-40k usd. Since they sell 2013 S60's ~ $40-54k usd. A newer 75 has better range, 4th gen powertrain platform, AP, would leave you with a payment though. Tesla has "demo" cars which qualify for the federal US tax break, where as the "Pre-owned" cars do not. Doesn't NJ give a sales tax break on new Electric cars?

This is likely the far better solution than spending 10% of the value of your car to simply get you back to level. Just get a new Model S. It sounds extreme, and perhaps it is, but there are about 20 hardware changes/upgrades/improvements a week (or was it per month?) according to Elon. Trust me, it shows . . . .

 

[gaswalla]

I had this exact issue. was offered grease packing or $3500 in repairs... went with the packing and have had no problems since

 

[SeminoleFSU]

I'm getting ready to take a road trip from Atlanta, GA to Benton, Arkansas. I will not have time to get the car serviced before our trip. The clunk (which is more of a tick) has gotten a tiny bit worse in terms of the number of ticks it makes when starting/stopping or accelerating/coasting/regening. Anyone here think it's foolish to go on this road trip with the car in this condition? I was planning to schedule a service when I return. If I call them now I'm sure they can get me in the line 30-45 days out (hopefully)

 

[gaswalla]

My understanding is that the car is totally safe to drive.

 

[SeminoleFSU]

That seems to be the consensus. I figured I would ask again since the clunk/ticks seem to have gotten a little worse. Last thing I want is to be stuck in the middle of nowhere on a road trip. Thanks all!

 

[jaguar36]

Or if you have access to eBay...

Don't pay for stuff that someone else stole.

 

[⚡️ELECTROMAN⚡️]

Don't pay for stuff that someone else stole.

Two wrongs make a right. Tesla needs to make it easier for us to work on our own cars.

 

[jelloslug]

Don't pay for stuff that someone else stole.

An owner should not have to resort to eBay to get a service manual.

 

[jaguar36]

Two wrongs make a right. Tesla needs to make it easier for us to work on our own cars.

I was more implying that you should obtain it through some other illicit means without paying for it.

 

[jelloslug]

I was more implying that you should obtain it through some other illicit means without paying for it.

Most people would not be able to do that very easily.