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Creaking Steering on Model 3 - 21k

Discussion in 'Model 3' started by bobtuf, Dec 1, 2020.

  1. bobtuf

    bobtuf Member

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2019
    Messages:
    7
    Location:
    Florida
    So I've had a few minor other front end noises/creaking but nothing quite like this.

    I hear the noise primarily when steering right at lower speeds (I am thinking because more lock is made as low speed that higher speeds), however I have had the noise going over small speed bumps.

    I did a search and listed to other owners clips, but nothing sounded quite like this, hoping someone can help cast some light on what it might be before it goes into the diagnosis raffle wheel of the service center.



    Thanks to all who look at this thread and/or respond.
     
    • Helpful x 1
  2. gaswalla

    gaswalla Model S,3,X.. CT with Austin delivery

    Joined:
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    3,244
    Location:
    San Diego
    its prob your upper control arm.. lots of issues with the 2018-19 builds
    lots of posts too
     
    • Like x 2
  3. Ecoli

    Ecoli Member

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2019
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    480
    Location:
    New Zealand
    Creaking when turning might be the ball joints
     
  4. bobtuf

    bobtuf Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Florida
    Thank you both for the input.

    I have been able to schedule a mobile service appointment for next week, so I guess they'll hopefully do diagnosis at least and then one trip to the SC for the repair if I'm lucky....

    Last repair was stabilizer bar linkage, left & right replaced. Car is an early Sept 2019 build.
     
  5. suwaneedad

    suwaneedad Member

    Joined:
    Dec 11, 2016
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    Location:
    Atlanta
    Fortunately OP is still under warranty. My right upper control arm (March 2018 build) died at 52k miles and I got zero grace from the service center. $500 later...at least I have more than made up for it via stock ownership, but damn...no love for the early adopters of the Model 3.
     
    • Like x 1
  6. gaswalla

    gaswalla Model S,3,X.. CT with Austin delivery

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2012
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    Location:
    San Diego
    yeah, my 2018 had the right one go out at 55k and then the left one at 57k.. paid for the first repair, and they covered the second one... I came in and said, "I was here last month, you all fixed it, and it broke again. crazy thing..." they said, "uh, it was the other side last time"
     
  7. bobtuf

    bobtuf Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Florida
    When you had to pay for it, how much did it cost all said and done?

    And Tesla have of course cancelled my service appointment and set one at the SC for January!

    I feel like its not the best idea to drive with a busted control arm..... :(
     
  8. Apone

    Apone Member

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2020
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    Location:
    Philadelphia Area
    At this point, would it not make sense to look aftermarket? I think that I would at least check into MPP control arms if this happened to me and evaluate the build quality vs another stock part. That's if I was out of warranty and Telsa told me to walk, I've done this with a few cars where the aftermarket pieces are more robust/higher performance and equal or similar cost.
     
  9. bobtuf

    bobtuf Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Florida
    So the latest update .... the noise has disappeared as quickly as it appeared. Drove the car a lot today and never a peep from it...

    Now I'm unsure whether to keep the SC appointment or not - I fear I'll drive all the way there only to be told they can't replicate the issue and I need to come get the car back...

    Any thoughts on if there would be anything visual they would be able to see damaged or broken?

    Thanks!
     
  10. zhu-

    zhu- custom title

    Joined:
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    Messages:
    881
    Location:
    NJ
    I've heard this a few times in the past two weeks and thought it was tire noise in the cold weather at first. Mine's a Nov 2018 build, guess I should schedule a SC visit?
     
  11. RB88

    RB88 Member

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    Mar 18, 2019
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    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    This is happening to my Dec 2018 build. It also is sporadic - seems worse in the cold in the morning (anecdotal, maybe). I took it into the SC and guess what... they couldn't reproduce it (even though I did when I was backing it into the parking spot there). Sigh. I have another appointment for later this month because it's getting worse.

    Is it dangerous to drive it while this is happening?
     
  12. corners

    corners Member

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    Jun 13, 2019
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    Location:
    Chicago
    My appointment for something similar was 3 weeks out. I emailed the SC and they got me in the next day. Send them a detailed email about the problem and see maybe they can get you in sooner.
     
  13. RB88

    RB88 Member

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    Seattle, WA
    How do I find the SC email address? I've only ever got texts from them.
     
  14. XLR82XS

    XLR82XS D M C

    Joined:
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    SWFL | Vegas
    Tesla.com or ask an owner advisor.
     
  15. corners

    corners Member

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    Chicago
    Did you find it?
     
  16. zhu-

    zhu- custom title

    Joined:
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    Mine worsened to the point where it makes that noise almost every time. Seems to mostly happen when turning at low speeds <5mph.

    I scheduled the earliest SC appointment which was 1/21 so let's see what they say.
     
  17. Scott7

    Scott7 Member

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    Location:
    Wisconsin
    @zhu- what was the result of your visit?
     
  18. zhu-

    zhu- custom title

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    Location:
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    @Scott7

    Brought it in the other day and it was immediately serviced and ready for pick-up same day. They confirmed the issue and replaced front upper control arms.

    [​IMG]

    Unfortunately, that night I heard the same creaking sound and decided to test it out a few more days. Been three days now and I hear it every time I turning the wheel under 5 mph. I think it actually sounds worse now... a little bit louder and almost every time. He said it isn't a safety issue so not sure when I'll schedule another visit. Earliest availability in my area is late Feb anyway.
     

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  19. phantasms

    phantasms Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Jan 30, 2019
    Messages:
    1,315
    Location:
    Cross River, NY
    I’ve had this going on for weeks. I drive my car fast and hard. It’s louder than the video. You, very likely, will be fine to drive it until the appointment. Mine is Wednesday.

    late 2018.
     
  20. Scott7

    Scott7 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2016
    Messages:
    319
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    @zhu- Funny you mention this, as I just had both upper control arms replaced and like you, the creak is back! I swear it was quiet for a day after that but the very next time I drove the car it was basically the same.

    I already stopped by the SC and scheduled a replacement of the passenger side lower rear control arm.

    I sure hope I don’t have to go back a third time for this same issue...
     

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