Looks like I have 2 door handles to fix again on my out of warranty S, one for the second time. Does anyone know of some non-Tesla tech who can do this repair? I'm in California -- LA -- but I move around the state a lot. If anyone has done their own repair and is up for fixing mine for a fee, let's talk!
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Lasttoy
Active Member
Is it the little gear breaking? Mine broke, got new one from Tesla for $1.18. Took a couple hours to get the door mechanism out. Changed the gear, installed the mechanism.
Get extra door mechanism from eBay, i now have 2 extra. I can change fast now. Go get the gears. Watch you tube video. You need 2 metric sockets, T35 torque bit.
The videos made it easy.
Get extra door mechanism from eBay, i now have 2 extra. I can change fast now. Go get the gears. Watch you tube video. You need 2 metric sockets, T35 torque bit.
The videos made it easy.
jelloslug
Active Member
If you are a DIY person, there are several youtube videos outlining the common faults and how to repair them for very little money, even using genuine Tesla parts.
Wish Tesla would support the formation of independent Tesla repair shops...
As these cars enter the used market and go out of warranty, people who paid $40-50K for a car are going to be shocked in having to pay ~ $600 to fix a door handle, possibly multiple times...
As these cars enter the used market and go out of warranty, people who paid $40-50K for a car are going to be shocked in having to pay ~ $600 to fix a door handle, possibly multiple times...
I did see the video, and I am a DIYish kind of person. I'm not an automotive DIY guy much any more, and getting that panel off looked like a drag. Local SC quoted $700 a door ... $1400 clams. Dang, for $3.36 worth of parts, and probably for them) 1.5-2 hours of labor. I'd gladly pay $250 a door, if you want to go for it.
On the bright side people will be happy to find that their auto body repairs only cost 1/10 vs authorized body shops!
jelloslug
Active Member
I’ve hade the door panel off before. It takes about ten minutes tops with a minimal amount of tools. I watched my service center swap a door handle in the entry bay to the service center in 20 minutes start to finish.
dhanson865
Well-Known Member
speaking of videos for how to do it, our local informative comedy guy shows the whole process in a video he just posted.
Official, how to replace your Tesla door handle
I agree with the thought that it's more work than I want to do. I'd happily pay someone to do it for me.
Official, how to replace your Tesla door handle
I agree with the thought that it's more work than I want to do. I'd happily pay someone to do it for me.
I'm guessing anyone could open a door handle repair shop. Maybe a stereo or glass place should do it. Probably be frowned on if a authorized body shop took on the task.
Whatever happend to tesla was not going to make money off repairs?
I think they actually don't make any money. They have to deal with a lot of warranty repairs. Tesla is known to release cars that have issues to offload the time to fix the final issues to service centers rather than slowing the factory and production down.
And they will be producing 5000 M3's per week in 2017.
BTW, I have a bridge for sale.
It costs a huge amount to put in and staff a fancy service center. After expenses, I doubt they are making much on service at this time. Sure, the prices are outlandish, I’m not arguing that part. As number of cars go up and warranty repair goes down then the truth will be known.
henderrj
Active Member
And, they told me when I called, that they don't repair the handles anymore. They only put new ones in. So you're actually getting an entirely new handle. I think the cost, if that's the case, is good.
Still, I spent the buck on the part and did the repair myself. Kind of wanted to more for the fun than anything!
Still, I spent the buck on the part and did the repair myself. Kind of wanted to more for the fun than anything!
That's Tesla's concept in general. They don't repair, they swap out entire units. I don't see how this wasteful way of doing things makes the high price any better.
Tat statement really means nothing of consequence when door handling repairs are running in the $600-ish price range. Basically they can do the math any way they want for the service center and show they are not making money while still charging a lot for repairs.
This is why I would not dream of owning a Tesla out of warranty.
SeminoleFSU
Voluntaryist
Which is why $600 per door is total and absolute BS for Tesla to charge in their "non-profit" service centers on a problem that is obviously a major design flaw
jelloslug
Active Member
SeminoleFSU
Voluntaryist
it should be when it's a major design flaw that will break in a matter of time.. and that time frame isn't long. especially when Elon talks about having a non-profit service center strategy... Lastly, I think most of us out of warranty would be fine with just a new wiring harness not a full blown handle assembly. Based on numerous videos online the swap of the wiring harness can be done in less than 30mins and the harness is less than $5
jelloslug
Active Member
That was my first point. Do it yourself and save hundreds.
