Front end knocking sound Model Y performance

[240vPlug]

March 2022

Makes sense. Mine is a May 2022 build though. If you're in the UK, I don't know if yours came from Fremont. Probably the same part number though. It's something in the damper assembly and honestly I'm probably not going to put any more money in the car by changing suspension. I'm just dealing with it as it does not affect the handling of the car.

Would be nice if I could find someone with the comfort suspension. Curious if the damper assembly on those makes similar noise.

 

[massi013]

What do you think about this?
I think it's definitely the joint making that noise, what if we put some NLGI2 grease the way he's doing in the video?

I don't think we all have a faulty component, also because I understand that we fit the latest update of the upper suspension arm. It used to be an all black piece (like the one in the model 3 video) now (at least I) have a gray one with the joint cap covered in iron and all in one piece.

 

[240vPlug]

What do you think about this?
I think it's definitely the joint making that noise, what if we put some NLGI2 grease the way he's doing in the video?

I don't think we all have a faulty component, also because I understand that we fit the latest update of the upper suspension arm. It used to be an all black piece (like the one in the model 3 video) now (at least I) have a gray one with the joint cap covered in iron and all in one piece.

I can say in my case it is not that joint on the UCA. Both original and replacement damper assemblies were silent for the first 3,800 miles of operation on my car.

 

[massi013]

So, do you replace damper assemblies or service tesla dose it in warranty?
And damper assemblies is only suspension or all geometry?

 

[240vPlug]

So, do you replace damper assemblies or service tesla dose it in warranty?
And damper assemblies is only suspension or all geometry?

The driver side damper assembly was replaced by service under warranty. After the same mileage it started making the same noise again.

The damper assembly includes the damper, spring, etc. The LR and P of course have different damper assembly. Seems to only be an issue on Performance models. My February 2021 LR Y didn't do it.

 

[massi013]

Thanks for your precise and quick reply. I have the problem on a RWD model, collected in Feb 2023, I don't know the year of production.

every time I take a hole with the front left wheel there is an uncomfortable noise like a new car with only 2000km

the service here in Italy told me that it is a common problem for all RWDs, and that they cannot solve. Even changing UCA the problem would reoccur

 

[cd1997]

Did you try sway bar end links?

 

[massi013]

hi, thanks for your reply. do you mean this piece?

to understand if it is broken do I have to change it or is there another method?

the service said that everything was ok, obviously they don't change the part to see if it resolves.

but if I change the part from my mechanic, will I void the warranty? I also have to redo alignment of wheels?

 

[240vPlug]

hi, thanks for your reply. do you mean this piece?
View attachment 925705


to understand if it is broken do I have to change it or is there another method?

the service said that everything was ok, obviously they don't change the part to see if it resolves.

but if I change the part from my mechanic, will I void the warranty? I also have to redo alignment of wheels?

They drove mine with the sway bar completely removed to rule out sway bar and links. Your mechanic should be able to remove sway bar and test drive to see if that resolves it.

 

[massi013]

They drove mine with the sway bar completely removed to rule out sway bar and links. Your mechanic should be able to remove sway bar and test drive to see if that resolves it.

Thanks.

I'll try with my mechanic.

did you figure out if the problem came from there after your mechanic removed those pieces?

 

[240vPlug]

Thanks.

I'll try with my mechanic.

did you figure out if the problem came from there after your mechanic removed those pieces?

Yes, like I said...they replaced the damper assembly, sound went away then came back again after 3,800 miles. Its the damper assembly in my case...after its broken in it makes the noise.

 

[AMP_it_up]

This sounds very similar to the noise on my 2019 M3P. It has been there from new. I‘ve had the MPP Comfort Adjustable coil over kit fitted, which replaces the dampers and springs. This made no difference to the knocking. Center Gravity fitted the kit and did the alignment. They are a specialist suspension tuning company, who specialise in Porsches, but couldn’t work out what was causing the noise. Their best guess was the top mounts but these seemed ok when inspected.

A few weeks ago I did some further research into the issue on TMC, can’t remember which thread. Anyway someone in North America managed to replicate a similar noise in the workshop from movement of the front halfshafts. Evidently they can slide back and forward a little because of the method used to secure them. I think the post said they were secured with a cable tie type arrangement rather than the alternative of a circlip used on other cars.

 

[240vPlug]

This sounds very similar to the noise on my 2019 M3P. It has been there from new. I‘ve had the MPP Comfort Adjustable coil over kit fitted, which replaces the dampers and springs. This made no difference to the knocking. Center Gravity fitted the kit and did the alignment. They are a specialist suspension tuning company, who specialise in Porsches, but couldn’t work out what was causing the noise. Their best guess was the top mounts but these seemed ok when inspected.

A few weeks ago I did some further research into the issue on TMC, can’t remember which thread. Anyway someone in North America managed to replicate a similar noise in the workshop from movement of the front halfshafts. Evidently they can slide back and forward a little because of the method used to secure them. I think the post said they were secured with a cable tie type arrangement rather than the alternative of a circlip used on other cars.

This is very informative. The axles in the front do have some play, they need to have some play of course due to the turning of the wheels. In my case it didn't do it from new, and when they replaced the LF damper assembly the problem went away for almost exactly the same amount of time.

I'm convinced, at least in my case, that it's the front damper assemblies. Handling seems unaffected by the noise.

 

[massi013]

I can confirm that after taking a few bumps on the road, in some cases the noise seems to disappear. All this would seem to confirm the movement of the frontal axis you are talking about.

 

[HonchoNI]

Anyone find a solution to this? I’ve tried different front shocks now and the noise is still there. If it is the front half shafts has anyone found a solution? There seems to be a lot of play in the front differential too.

 

[massi013]

Unfortunately I still haven't found a solution. I follow this discussion with great interest hoping that someone writes some solution or advice to at least reduce the noise.

After leaving the car in the sun, the noise initially "seems" much less. So is it some loose plastic component hitting metal? Or some rubber / sheath to lubricate?

I'm afraid it's the suspension that's faulty, or the CV joint that's broken or playing too much.

 

[massi013]

Here in Italy, on another forum, the boy who brought his car to the Tesla Service reported that the Tesla technician speaks of a plastic in the bumper that has a play and slams on the bodywork creating vibrations which are then felt in car. Unfortunately I don't believe in it much, it seems to me something coming from the geometry of the front end and not a simple plastic put who knows where.

 

[ICON]

My 2022 Y LR China has developed the same thing cornering and under acceleration

 

[massi013]

I think that it's a problem of end links, The nut of both endlinks isn't not tight properly. Torque spec is 98nm, i will try soon with nanometric key, sorry for my english.

 

[massi013]

I found a video where SPLPARTS branded endlinks are replaced that has spherical joints and would solve the problem.

I'll put the video here if it can help, hoping that's the problem.