Loud Clunking Sound at Cold Startup

[TESLEV!]

Michigan, Model 3, long range, dual motor, 28,000 miles here.

I keep my car in my unheated garage. During cold mornings, I hear a loud "clunk" just as I begin to reverse the car. The sound seems to be coming from underneath the rear of the car - maybe the right rear wheels?

This happens after the car has been re-charging all night and does not happen when it's cold when I leave work in the evening.

Has anyone else experienced this clunking sound and what is the likely cause?

In the very short video below you can hear the noise just as I begin backing up. In this case the sound was not too loud. At other times the noise is really quite loud.

 

[thedm96]

I have this happening also. It sounds almost like the brakes are coming unstuck or something.

 

[Tessaract]

I have this too. When temps are below freezing, water or condensation will freeze as a thin layer overnight on the brake calipers, and the thunk you hear is the wheel rotation breaking this "icicle".

 

[JATinNH]

Same thing has been happening to me. It follows ... parking after driving in wet conditions... sitting overnight in unheated garage ... freezing temps outside. Not a technician, but sounded to me like brake pads get stuck/frozen/rusted to rotors and the clunk is then coming unstuck. Had tires rotated yesterday at a local shop and mentioned it to them... they supposedly inspected but didn’t find anything noticeably wrong.

 

[TESLEV!]

Thanks, guys. This is very helpful. Sounds like its not a safety concern.

 

[3LE-TRK]

I find this happens even if it’s raining outside. I realized that I use the brakes so rarely that they don’t get hot enough to boil off the water and they rust together. Easy enough to clean up with a simple tap of the brakes once rolling!

 

[TESLEV!]

I find this happens even if it’s raining outside. I realized that I use the brakes so rarely that they don’t get hot enough to boil off the water and they rust together. Easy enough to clean up with a simple tap of the brakes once rolling!

Thanks for the help

 

[lolder]

If you don't use the brakes for a while, I believe the car automatically puts them on briefly to clean the discs while stopping. This is automatic and you have no indication. In the software it's called "Brake disc wipe request".

 

[lolder]

For above documentation, look at "ingineerix" YouTube at 13:30

 

[TESLEV!]

For above documentation, look at "ingineerix" YouTube at 13:30

Thanks. It seems the clunking sound I hear comes from the rear brakes mostly. Sometimes though it seems all four brakes make the noise. Almost like they are unlocking and the sound is very noticeable. Not just when I've been driving in wet weather either. Mostly I hear the noise at start up in the morning.

Thanks for your help.