Creaking noise when there is reverse torque from the front motor

[kchau]

Has anyone experienced a creaking when:

• Happens when there is reverse torque from the front motor (in R, or initiating regenerative braking at 14mph and slower)
• Comes from behind the passenger side footwell, closer to the center.
• Does not happen after it rains, but comes back after a highway drive when it dries out
• Does not happen with regenerative braking disabled and slowing with brakes (service menu)
• Does not happen over bumps, or anything other than when there is reverse torque from the front motor.

So far it's not brakes, suspension, or door seals.

Already been to the service center for round one without success, tough to nail down with the weather changing towards fall.

 

[kchau]

Just dropped it off at the service center for round 2. This time the technician said he was able to hear it from the outside, Front Passenger Side Wheel Well. Getting closer!

 

[kchau]

About to go pick up the car. If it really is rotor residue, this is wild.

 

[kchau]

Nope. That wasn’t it. Car will be intaked at the service center for round 3.

 

[kchau]

Round 3 didn’t work. Left it for round 4. Likelihood of lemon-ing just became non zero.

 

[kchau]

Resolved. If your car is a very early 2023 Model, Fremont built, September-October-November build/delivery, this may come in handy for you one day. 585xxx VIN

 

[kchau]

Aaaand it's back.

 

[kchau]

Heading back to the service center this Friday. If they don't fix it I'm seriously considering lemon law.

 

[ElectricAnt54]

@kchau , sounds like a manufacture’s interior tire sticker rubbing against tire bead / wheel rim. A very common issue in performance model y since the tire is stretched a lot more than in other cars. Solution, ask tire shop or tesla to remove the stickers from ALL tires. Will require tires to be removed from wheel. My performance model y 21” tires had this issue as has many. My 19” tires didn’t.

 

[kchau]

@kchau , sounds like a manufacture’s interior tire sticker rubbing against tire bead / wheel rim. A very common issue in performance model y since the tire is stretched a lot more than in other cars. Solution, ask tire shop or tesla to remove the stickers from ALL tires. Will require tires to be removed from wheel. My performance model y 21” tires had this issue as has many. My 19” tires didn’t.

no it's not this. You read through the above stuff right?

The tire label is synchronous with the position of the tire, regardless of forward or reverse.

anyway, I called the service center and found out that the technician that figured it out initially got laid off. I just sent off the lemon law letter at the post office.

 

[fiehlsport]

I'm pretty sure you can just call Tesla to start a claim to request a buyback if it meets the requirements for your state, you don't have to invoke lemon law to force them unless they decline. Lemon law is for companies that don't play ball.

Had to do it with our Hyundai and the whole process was painless. No lawyers, no letters, just an agreement based on the lemon law in my state.

 

[kchau]

I'm pretty sure you can just call Tesla to start a claim to request a buyback if it meets the requirements for your state, you don't have to invoke lemon law to force them unless they decline. Lemon law is for companies that don't play ball.

Had to do it with our Hyundai and the whole process was painless. No lawyers, no letters, just an agreement based on the lemon law in my state.

Calling Tesla isn't easy. If you call 1-877-77-TESLA, there's not even a person to answer the phone for service/non-sales anymore. I tried. I'll go and speak to the GM of the service center tomorrow when I bring the car in.

I sent the letter off because that's part of the process in my state and I just want my boxes checked when I do have to pursue it.

I actually just want them to fix it, permanently. If I go for the buyback I have to take into account that I'm losing on PPF and Tint. I'm fine taking the L on if they can't permanently fix it.

I'm just documenting the saga here. Neither of my other two Teslas had an issue they couldn't figure out.

 

[fiehlsport]

Yeah, it's frustrating calling them, and I'm sure even harder these days. Maybe the GM has an easier way. But noted on the requirements for your state, here in NY we didn't have any prerequisites like that.

It's probably an easy fix, but hard to diagnose.

 

[kchau]

Yeah, it's frustrating calling them, and I'm sure even harder these days. Maybe the GM has an easier way. But noted on the requirements for your state, here in NY we didn't have any prerequisites like that.

It's probably an easy fix, but hard to diagnose.

the tech that figured it out and made the pops and creaks go away got laid off. He was the 4th tech to look at it. Very frustrating. He did a torque check and found a few subframe and motor mount bolts were under torqued. When he re-torqued them, the noises went away completely. The issue is why they came back.

 

[fiehlsport]

Perhaps new bolts are needed (Not stretched yet) with a fresh application of threadlocker - depends on if they come from the factory like that or not.

 

[kchau]

Perhaps new bolts are needed (Not stretched yet) with a fresh application of threadlocker - depends on if they come from the factory like that or not.

Yeah I did review the service manual for these areas, and they are indeed one-time use bolts. So I'll point that out when I get there tomorrow.

Also managed to get ahold of a Service Advisor that I know and let him know that it's a back and forth issue and that I sent over the lemon law letter to HQ. They're reserving a loaner for me and waiving the (idiotic) cost estimate that is typically tacked on to noise concerns.

Sometimes it's just good to talk to someone you're familiar with. I don't know what's worse at this point, the actual problem, or having to explain it to someone different every time.

 

[hollow23]

Yeah I did review the service manual for these areas, and they are indeed one-time use bolts. So I'll point that out when I get there tomorrow.

Also managed to get ahold of a Service Advisor that I know and let him know that it's a back and forth issue and that I sent over the lemon law letter to HQ. They're reserving a loaner for me and waiving the (idiotic) cost estimate that is typically tacked on to noise concerns.

Sometimes it's just good to talk to someone you're familiar with. I don't know what's worse at this point, the actual problem, or having to explain it to someone different every time.

yeah i got that issue years ago with model 3, tell them to replace these one time use bolts, way undertorqued making clanking sound when reversing.

 

[kchau]

yeah i got that issue years ago with model 3, tell them to replace these one time use bolts, way undertorqued making clanking sound when reversing.

I mentioned this.

Dropped off the car. Fingers crossed no more bullshit.

 

[kchau]

I can't say I'm not skeptical.

 

[hollow23]

They could have just replaced the nuts