Does anyone have a clue where this bolt might have come off my Model 3?

[Dolemite]

No, cause I heard if you get the fabric undertray wet, it'll sag, tear and then fall off!

I wash mine all the time. That isn’t the issue. The issue is if you drive through a puddle at speed and the force of the water enters the gap between the fabric and metal (like a wave) it will rip it off.

This was a problem with earlier Model 3s. From what I understand, they issued a TSB to replace this with a plastic reinforced version of this cover. Mine’s an 07/2019 build that I’ve practically sailed with over extremely deep puddles @ really high speeds - no issues.

 

[Garlan Garner]

It looks identical to the bolt that holds the rear bumper on from beneath.

There are 2 of them.

Pull the tabs down and see if the bolts are still in there.

 

[Dolemite]

It looks identical to the bolt that holds the rear bumper on from beneath.

There are 2 of them.

Pull the tabs down and see if the bolts are still in there.

Not on mine - markings are different & mine are stamped a grade "8.8."

@kaffine seems correct on SAE vs. Metric markings:

Fastener Guides - Bolt Grades & Head Markings | Fastener SuperStore | Bulk Industrial Fasteners

 

[KenC]

This was a problem with earlier Model 3s. From what I understand, they issued a TSB to replace this with a plastic reinforced version of this cover. Mine’s an 07/2019 build that I’ve practically sailed with over extremely deep puddles @ really high speeds - no issues.

Uhm, I was trying to make a joke. Apparently, unsuccessful!

 

[Dolemite]

Uhm, I was trying to make a joke. Apparently, unsuccessful!

I went back and gave you a funny for your efforts

 

[cOoTeR]

Here's a better picture of the head of the bolt. I changed the oil on my wife's civic today and planned on checking under the Tesla afterwards. But I forgot and had already put the the stands jack and creeper away. I checked under the front and the 3 bolts I could see were in tight. I couldn't see any areas that looked to be sagging. There isn't a washer any where around either. I'll check again later.

 

[kaffine]

JH from what I can tell stands for Jinn-Her a Taiwan fastener manufacturer. It is a SAE bolt by the markings. I do not see this bolt coming off the car. I haven't checked every bolt on a Tesla but I would be very surprised if there are any SAE bolts on the car. The only time you see SAE on a car built in the last 15 years is from aftermarket accessories.

 

[dethman]

Are you parked in a garage? That bolt looks similar to the bolts on the arm on my garage door opener.

 

[focher]

Is that the airbag deployment bolt?

 

[Dolemite]

Is that the airbag deployment bolt?

Either this, or the bolt holding the steering rack together. Possibly the brake system.

 

[PACEMD]

I'm almost positive that's the anchor bolt for the turbo encabulator.

 

[cOoTeR]

Are you parked in a garage? That bolt looks similar to the bolts on the arm on my garage door opener.

Come to think of it my garage door does sound a little different when opening and closing. I never would have thought to check that. Thanks I'll take a look at that when I get a chance.

 

[dmurphy]

Come to think of it my garage door does sound a little different when opening and closing. I never would have thought to check that. Thanks I'll take a look at that when I get a chance.

We had a similar thread a month or two ago; and it turned out to be a bolt from the garage door itself. I’m going to guess that’s exactly what this is.

 

[cOoTeR]

It was from the garage door. I couldn't find the nut and had to pick one up at the hardware store today.

 

[SageBrush]

Nice ending.
This has been a very useful thread regardless, since it has prompted me to look under the car periodically and check that the bolts are nice and tight, and that the plastic and bumper have not collected debris or water.

 

[Kilotango74]

It was from the garage door. I couldn't find the nut and had to pick one up at the hardware store today.

Thanks for the follow up. To often threads like this end up just fading away without any apparent resolution.