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Have you seen this Technical Service Bulletin?
- Thread starter Beeroclock
- Start date
Interesting it only applies to 2013-2014. This thread seems to suggest it’s occurring on later year models as well, but more commonly with the lower front control arm.
Stated lower in the document: "Affected Model S vehicles built between approximately June 1, 2013 and January 31, 2014."
It does not just affect those model years.
Here is a fresh complaint filed for a 2017 Model S
April 6, 2019 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 11194264
Components: SUSPENSION
NHTSA ID Number: 11194264
Incident Date March 25, 2019
Consumer Location SANTEE, CA
Vehicle Identification Number 5YJSA1E17HF****
Summary of Complaint
WHILE REVERSING MY VEHICLE OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT, A LOUD SNAPPING SOUND WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT DRIVER?S SIDE TIRE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CAUSE OF THE SOUND WAS NOT VISIBLE.
I CONTINUED DRIVING A FEW MILES WHILE LISTENING FOR ANY CHANGES TO THE VEHICLE. A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD, I PREPARED TO ENTER THE FREEWAY. AS I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE WAS A LOUD GRINDING NOISE EMITTING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE.
I PULLED THE VEHICLE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALLED TESLA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. I ADVISED THEM OF MY OBSERVATIONS AND WAS ISSUED A PRELIMINARY DIAGNOSIS OF DEBRIS IN THE BRAKE CALIPER. I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE MY CAR TO A HIGH-PRESSURE WASHING STATION TO REMOVE THE DEBRIS.
WHILE PARKING AT MY DESTINATION, I NOTICED MY STEERING WHEEL REQUIRED A BIT MORE FORCE TO DURN THE WHEEL; AS I WAS ENCOUNTERING MORE RESISTANCE THAN USUAL WHILE STEERING THE VEHICLE.
I GOT OUT AND LOOKED AT THE FRONT DRIVER?S SIDE WHEEL WHILE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT. I NOTICED A HOLE APPROXIMATELY 2? TALL AND 1? WIDE HAD BEEN WORN THROUGH THE WHEEL WELL LINER BEHIND THE REAR OF THE TIRE. THROUGH THE HOLE, I SAW SOME WIRE COVERINGS AND A PIECE OF THE VEHICLE?S ALUMINUM FRAME. I ALSO OBSERVED THE WHEEL WOULD RUB UP AGAINST THE EXPOSED METAL FRAME WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED.
I CALLED TESLA ROADSIDE AGAIN AND UPDATED THEM OF MY FINDINGS. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE SERVICE CENTER AND SUBSEQUENTLY DIAGNOSED WITH A BROKEN FORE-LINK ON THE FRONT DRIVER?S SIDE SUSPENSION. THE FORE-LINKS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE WERE REPLACED, AS WELL AS THE WHEEL WELL LINER.
Here is a fresh complaint filed for a 2017 Model S
April 6, 2019 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 11194264
Components: SUSPENSION
NHTSA ID Number: 11194264
Incident Date March 25, 2019
Consumer Location SANTEE, CA
Vehicle Identification Number 5YJSA1E17HF****
Summary of Complaint
WHILE REVERSING MY VEHICLE OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT, A LOUD SNAPPING SOUND WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT DRIVER?S SIDE TIRE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CAUSE OF THE SOUND WAS NOT VISIBLE.
I CONTINUED DRIVING A FEW MILES WHILE LISTENING FOR ANY CHANGES TO THE VEHICLE. A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD, I PREPARED TO ENTER THE FREEWAY. AS I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE WAS A LOUD GRINDING NOISE EMITTING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE.
I PULLED THE VEHICLE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALLED TESLA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. I ADVISED THEM OF MY OBSERVATIONS AND WAS ISSUED A PRELIMINARY DIAGNOSIS OF DEBRIS IN THE BRAKE CALIPER. I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE MY CAR TO A HIGH-PRESSURE WASHING STATION TO REMOVE THE DEBRIS.
WHILE PARKING AT MY DESTINATION, I NOTICED MY STEERING WHEEL REQUIRED A BIT MORE FORCE TO DURN THE WHEEL; AS I WAS ENCOUNTERING MORE RESISTANCE THAN USUAL WHILE STEERING THE VEHICLE.
I GOT OUT AND LOOKED AT THE FRONT DRIVER?S SIDE WHEEL WHILE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT. I NOTICED A HOLE APPROXIMATELY 2? TALL AND 1? WIDE HAD BEEN WORN THROUGH THE WHEEL WELL LINER BEHIND THE REAR OF THE TIRE. THROUGH THE HOLE, I SAW SOME WIRE COVERINGS AND A PIECE OF THE VEHICLE?S ALUMINUM FRAME. I ALSO OBSERVED THE WHEEL WOULD RUB UP AGAINST THE EXPOSED METAL FRAME WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED.
I CALLED TESLA ROADSIDE AGAIN AND UPDATED THEM OF MY FINDINGS. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE SERVICE CENTER AND SUBSEQUENTLY DIAGNOSED WITH A BROKEN FORE-LINK ON THE FRONT DRIVER?S SIDE SUSPENSION. THE FORE-LINKS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE WERE REPLACED, AS WELL AS THE WHEEL WELL LINER.
Here is a 2018 Model S with a snapped suspension.
It still has the old weak links.
https://www.copart.com/lot/27340709
It still has the old weak links.
https://www.copart.com/lot/27340709
The interesting thing is my car (2013 Model S - manufactured June 2013) fits in the manufacture date of this TSB. I have an appt next week and asked about having them replaced and mentioned this TSB. I was told my VIN was not affected.
Just noticed this at the bottom of the TSB: NOTE: This is a simplified summary of the affected VIN list. Refer to the VIN/Bulletin Tracker or Customer/Vehicle profile to determine applicability of this bulletin for a particular vehicle.
Just noticed this at the bottom of the TSB: NOTE: This is a simplified summary of the affected VIN list. Refer to the VIN/Bulletin Tracker or Customer/Vehicle profile to determine applicability of this bulletin for a particular vehicle.
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This is for the front though. The TSB that was posted by the OP is for the rear. I believe there is a TSB for the fore-links too, though.
@Slavas
Where is this TSB? I have the panel creaking sound from RH pillar - I thought it sounded more like B pillar but could be A pillar. ... I'm off warranty and will repair myself if I knew the approach. Please tell more
Thanks
Really? Do tell because I've never seen any mention of a TSB related to seemingly far more common problem of front forelink failure.
I ruined my rear lower control arms all by myself using the wrong tire chains:
I purchased new lower control arms from Tesla for $312 each. They are symmetrical so it's only one part number for left and right. Takes about 45 minutes per side.
Make sure to follow the FSM procedure exactly including torquing all bushings at ride height.
I purchased new lower control arms from Tesla for $312 each. They are symmetrical so it's only one part number for left and right. Takes about 45 minutes per side.
Make sure to follow the FSM procedure exactly including torquing all bushings at ride height.
Can you post a link to that TSB? I can't find it on nhtsa or any of the third party TSB sites.
The actual TSB document doesn't come up when you select the "1 documents" so there's no way to tell which years and vin ranges are effected by it. It shows up when you search for 2016 Model X 60D but if you try to the same search on a 2015 S, you get so many reports filed by that ONE guy who reported every damaged model S he ever saw in a junkyard which drowns out any legitimate reports and makes searching through them impossible.
Is there anywhere to search for JUST TSBs on nhtsa??
This site is quite good for finding TSBs.
https://www.aboutautomobile.com/Technical-Service-Bulletin/2016/Tesla/Model-S
You can easily switch model years.
Some ( but not all) link to the full TSB.
Others just a summary.
https://www.aboutautomobile.com/Technical-Service-Bulletin/2016/Tesla/Model-S
You can easily switch model years.
Some ( but not all) link to the full TSB.
Others just a summary.
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