Front half shaft replacement instructions

[EbS-P]

Does anyone know what the best height is for a neutral half-shaft angle? Is it "low" or something lower?

I know there's a lot of recommendations to use lowering links and drop it about an inch, but I don't know if this is for the shafts or just a personal preference.

Another question would be how low can you go and still be able to get a proper alignment?

 

[MobileClimate]

half shafts are being replaced without checking the ride height after doing the repair ?

 

[speydude]

They did. It was actually replaced under warranty under the TSB in 2021. Then the noise came back in 2023, so they replaced it for $350 last week under the TSB a second time since I’m out of warranty.

Just had my half shafts replaced under the service bulletin. $350.00 out the door. 2014 model S P85D

 

[scottf200]

I had this $183 charge added 'at the last minute' the day before my appt.

When I set up the appt, I told them I knew what it was as I had it on my previous X and I had the details.
SB-21-39-001 R1
2021-09-21 Toolbox article 6013200 for Customer Pay billing instructions

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2021/MC-10203323-9999.pdf

It was zero/$0 dollars before.

 

[geordi]

Smells like their BS "diagnostic" fee. ALWAYS click on that "cost estimate" PDF link and save a screenshot with the real data. THAT is what they will use, the app is just a "guide" and "nothing they say in the chat is legally binding" according to one service center liar when they were screwing me on a transaction. So ALWAYS take the PDF and save it every time they change something.

Then push back on them b/c they don't need to "diagnose" this. It is done via a test drive (it's in the procedure) and the tech will know within 2 minutes (probably faster) of leaving the parking lot if it is what you said it is.

They are ALWAYS all about trying to slip in these extra charges. I think the droids hope that Lord Elon will appear and pat them on the head if they screw the customer just a little bit harder than the service droid next to them. Its too common of an experience to just be isolated incompetence.

 

[CF1A]

There is one USA based manufacturer of CV axles / half shafts (same thing) They warranty their product for 1 year and they are completely rebuildable. I am pretty sure they have a core return program. They make parts for drag racers, I am positive there is nothing that a Tesla can dole out in warp speed that they cant handle. They are not cheap, 650.0 an axle, but they will never let you down.

Warp Speed - Driveshaft Shop

driveshaftshop.com

 

[scottf200]

Smells like their BS "diagnostic" fee. ALWAYS click on that "cost estimate" PDF link and save a screenshot with the real data. THAT is what they will use, the app is just a "guide" and "nothing they say in the chat is legally binding" according to one service center liar when they were screwing me on a transaction. So ALWAYS take the PDF and save it every time they change something.

Then push back on them b/c they don't need to "diagnose" this. It is done via a test drive (it's in the procedure) and the tech will know within 2 minutes (probably faster) of leaving the parking lot if it is what you said it is.

They are ALWAYS all about trying to slip in these extra charges. I think the droids hope that Lord Elon will appear and pat them on the head if they screw the customer just a little bit harder than the service droid next to them. Its too common of an experience to just be isolated incompetence.

After a little back and forth they said they could do just the half shaft without the diagnostic fee but if it didn't solve the problem it would need another appointment.
Similarly, I had my squeaking upper control arms (bushing) replaced last year and they dropped the diagnostics fee. Heck, you could just turn the steering wheel and hear the squeak. Two very well-known problems.

TBH, my kid had this happen at GM with their error message "Shift to Park" when it was in park. 1000s had this issue and they still charged my kid a diagnostic fee. We had the same issue with our Gen 2 version of that vehicle and they charged me full price ($500) but then after many complaints it was re-document in the GM system to be a warranty item and they cut me a check.

 

[ohmman]

Just had the half shafts replaced in our 2020 Model X at 60k miles. They were replaced in 2021 with 25k miles before.

I'm pretty sure I'm done with this car and we'll just replace it with a Model Y for now. My current Model Y has none of the problems of the X and is preferred by everyone in our family. I don't care to own a vehicle that has what are effectively consumable axles and aggressive tire wear to compensate for the suspension design issues. Between our two Model Xs, we've replaced the half shafts 5 times.

Total cost just over $2k for this last service.

 

[EbS-P]

Just had the half shafts replaced in our 2020 Model X at 60k miles. They were replaced in 2021 with 25k miles before.

I'm pretty sure I'm done with this car and we'll just replace it with a Model Y for now. My current Model Y has none of the problems of the X and is preferred by everyone in our family. I don't care to own a vehicle that has what are effectively consumable axles and aggressive tire wear to compensate for the suspension design issues. Between our two Model Xs, we've replaced the half shafts 5 times.

Total cost just over $2k for this last service.

It’s such an obvious issue that could have only been fixed at time of engineering.

At some point an Intuative camber and lowerkit is cheaper than axels every 30-40k miles.

 

[geordi]

If the axles are being damaged that rapidly, I'd be questioning why they aren't replaced under warranty AND why you aren't being charged the proper TSB rate of $350.

This is NOT your problem to solve and there is NO EXCUSE for them trying to charge that much money for their bad design that clearly hasn't been fixed in your case! Maybe they aren't even installing it properly? They have MORE THAN ENOUGH telematics data available to know that you are or are not abusing your car in any way that could cause these to fail that often. They need to prove this is your fault, or start eating the costs until they figure out how to solve it.

Paying them is just rewarding them for the bad behavior.

 

[ohmman]

If the axles are being damaged that rapidly, I'd be questioning why they aren't replaced under warranty AND why you aren't being charged the proper TSB rate of $350.

This is NOT your problem to solve and there is NO EXCUSE for them trying to charge that much money for their bad design that clearly hasn't been fixed in your case! Maybe they aren't even installing it properly? They have MORE THAN ENOUGH telematics data available to know that you are or are not abusing your car in any way that could cause these to fail that often. They need to prove this is your fault, or start eating the costs until they figure out how to solve it.

Paying them is just rewarding them for the bad behavior.

I fought it a bit since I brought the car in last May for suspension noise and it was rejected as unreproducible, but this visit they found all kinds of issues. Not just the half shafts but some bushings wearing down and other things that I refuse to fix. There's no traction and I just don't have the drive to fight on this, sadly. I'm ready to leave the Model X world behind for good.

 

[njhtran]

I fought it a bit since I brought the car in last May for suspension noise and it was rejected as unreproducible, but this visit they found all kinds of issues. Not just the half shafts but some bushings wearing down and other things that I refuse to fix. There's no traction and I just don't have the drive to fight on this, sadly. I'm ready to leave the Model X world behind for good.

I feel the same way but I'll take it a step further. Unless I can get my FSD and SC01 transferred to a new Cyberbeast, or if Tesla figures out FSD 100%, I'm done with Tesla.

 

[timrny]

Hi, just wanted to add my experience. Bought a 2020 model x, out of warranty, never had half shaft replaced before. Made an appointment complaint of “shudder, grinding noise, vibration on acceleration.” Initial estimate was $1600 for half shaft replacement, I immediately sent them a bunch of photos provided by others off this post, and also a link to the Service Bulletin. Received a call soon after saying it’ll be a total of $370 including tax.

 

[geordi]

It is somewhat frustrating that the owners who are unaware of this thread are likely to be taken for a financial ride by the service centers. THEY should be proactive in properly billing, not just when they have their noses rubbed in it.

 

[timrny]

Hello, just updating. idk what happened but I was billed zero after the repair was complete.

*update* was told via messenger that half shaft replacement is covered. This is from SC in Sterling, VA

 

[geordi]

Covered by what? Did your car have an extended warranty? PLEASE choose the PDF button in the invoice screen and save it to your device / upload the whole file. Of course you can blank out your personal info but the rest may be very helpful to others. I'm one of those "others" as I have my sister's X to get done next.

 

[MobileClimate]

Resonance caused by Half Shaft phasing or Half Shaft rumble​

​

Description

Firmware Details
Steps To Test
Steps To Fix


Effects
Causes

DESCRIPTION​

This is an issue in which the two driveshafts begin vibrating in phase with each other.

Each driveshaft has a tendency to plunge in and out slightly (to the left and right), which is worsened by greater driveshaft angles. If both axles are plunging in and out and they are both going left and right at the same time (in phase), there will be a vibration felt from the rear. If they are out of phase, they will cancel out and there will be no detectable vibration.

FIRMWARE DETAILS​

None

STEPS TO TEST​

1. Explore all other causes for vibration (bushings, damaged links, subframe damage, tires and wheels, rear hub concentricity, road force measurements).
2. Drive the vehicle and accelerate quickly from approximately 30 mph. Do this several times, noting whether the vibration is consistent or inconsistent.

STEPS TO FIX​

If the vibration is not consistent (and only appears during some accelerations), the issue is with driveshaft phasing as described above. There is no fix available for this issue. Some driveshafts may have a lower tendency to plunge in and out, so it is possible that changing out an axle may change the resonance slightly. However, this can be expected to some degree in all vehicles.

 

[geordi]

Spin balancing the shafts can also help - but that would require Tesla to care about actual diagnostics and might show that the chinesium they are using for shafts is not the best material.

 

[chintanchotli]

Just had the half shafts replaced in our 2020 Model X at 60k miles. They were replaced in 2021 with 25k miles before.

I'm pretty sure I'm done with this car and we'll just replace it with a Model Y for now. My current Model Y has none of the problems of the X and is preferred by everyone in our family. I don't care to own a vehicle that has what are effectively consumable axles and aggressive tire wear to compensate for the suspension design issues. Between our two Model Xs, we've replaced the half shafts 5 times.

Total cost just over $2k for this last service.

Jeez! I'm not sure what I got into lol. Hoping to not have any of these issues for 3+ years at least.

 

[ohmman]

Jeez! I'm not sure what I got into lol. Hoping to not have any of these issues for 3+ years at least.

Sorry for the rant, but I was just really frustrated. Did end up trading it in to Tesla for a new Y, though.

I think if you keep your suspension in low (and deal with uneven/rapid tire wear), refrain from heavy or even moderate acceleration, you will be just fine. And they say the half shaft shudder is "cosmetic" only, so you can also just live with it like I'm sure many do.