Model S Suspension Clunk Diagnosis

[leonwu]

Hi TMC team,

Wondering if anyone has experience dealing / resolving a rear clunk (sounds like it’s suspension related).

Observations:
1) more likely to happen on high / very high suspension
2) on medium suspension, occasionally happens when going over bumpier roads / cracks
3) sometimes it’s one thunk, and usually 2 thunks when I’m turning up a ramp / driveway
4) happens 95% of days when I set my car to high, turning left into my works parking lot (slight incline entrance into parking lot). Unfortunately work is 30 minutes away from Tesla so I can have them go there to replicate).

See 12 second video, happens noticeably towards the end.

Was going to bring to Tesla to check out, but with my experience, unless I can point at things to check or get lucky replicating it, they’ll tell me nothing is wrong.

Thanks in advance!

 

[rem6775]

Is this just the battery? It will sometimes make a thunking noise like this related to equalizing pressures (usually when it's colder outside).

 

[leonwu]

Is this just the battery? It will sometimes make a thunking noise like this related to equalizing pressures (usually when it's colder outside).

Happens summer and winter (19/21 rims), and only going over bumps / uneven roads, and amplified frequency when going at higher suspension heights.

 

[the_burninator]

Happens summer and winter (19/21 rims), and only going over bumps / uneven roads, and amplified frequency when going at higher suspension heights.

Is it from a specific wheel? I, too, was hearing a thunk sound on bumpy roads with the suspension raised (new S Plaid).

Hard to know if the raised suspension was related, since I wouldn’t drive on such bumpy roads with the suspension low.

Tesla tech found the hub and upper shock bolts loose on the ‘thunking’ wheel, and tightened them, resolving the issue. So far, at least…

 

[leonwu]

Is it from a specific wheel? I, too, was hearing a thunk sound on bumpy roads with the suspension raised (new S Plaid).

Hard to know if the raised suspension was related, since I wouldn’t drive on such bumpy roads with the suspension low.

Tesla tech found the hub and upper shock bolts loose on the ‘thunking’ wheel, and tightened them, resolving the issue. So far, at least…

I took mine to Tesla Service and they replaced both rear toe link assemblies.

So far, 3 days in, no clunk, but will hold judgment until I drive and turn into work on Tuesday. That is where the clunk (which I couldn’t tell which wheel it was from) happens 9 out of 10 times.

 

[Plaidish]

Car is back in the shop for this(3 times so far). Torqued sub frame. Changed rear suspension. Went away for a few weeks now back.

 

[Plaidish]

Turned out to be a faulty rear toe link assembly. I think this finally did the trick. Keep you all updated

 

[leonwu]

Turned out to be a faulty rear toe link assembly. I think this finally did the trick. Keep you all updated

That was exactly what mine was. They replaced both and been clunk free for a month now

 

[Daniellane]

I can also confirm this. Same sound. Tesla replaced toe links. Problem solved.

 

[Plaidish]

Literally hated driving the car with the sound. Sounds silly but it was embarrassing to drive.

 

[leonwu]

Literally hated driving the car with the sound. Sounds silly but it was embarrassing to drive.

If passengers were in the car and it clunked, I just say I must’ve ran over a pine cone or a rock

 

[WilliamG]

I think my 2022 has this issue. Just started at 7.7k miles. Clunk, from the passenger rear, noticeable at times over bump/uneven surface at low speed, usually only with suspension at high level.

How long does it take to replace toe links?