Rust on trunk strut connections

[gillmj24]

Just noticed this for the first time, sunlight hit at just the right angle.

The strut connections to the car are all rusted, all four of them to varying degrees. Trunk still opens and closes fine. Warranty expires in a month but is this just wear and tear? If I request service I won't know if it's free until they finish working on it.

 

[Cheburashka]

Same thing. Tesla refused to replace under warranty.

 

[gillmj24]

Part numbers for the connectors, and do they sell them? Or is it just cosmetic and wait till it actually fails, then replace the whole struts?

 

[WallysRide]

I unfortunately don't have the part numbers handy, but Tesla does sell the ball studs and the C-clips. I had an independent mechanic replace them. The C-clips were in short supply at Tesla, and so I ended up buying an interchangeable set of clips from a VW dealer.

 

[zoomer0056]

It looks not too bad, surface rust only. The last pic looks like it also shows body rust (maybe just dirt?), surface also. You could remove them, clean 'em up a bit then spray with rustolium.

 

[gillmj24]

I'm more concerned with the piece (grommet? bushing?) connected to the metal trunk that is also rusted out.

 

[WallysRide]

Here's what I have for the ball stud and washer, from my Tesla parts invoice:

BALL STD&WSHR 1128714-00-A Qty 4 Unit Price 0.59

According to another thread on this forum, the C-clip is 1538314-00-A.

I bought the C-clips from a VW dealer because Tesla was out of stock: VW part number 443823397. These clips from VW can be overpriced (like $5-6 each) - I bought them for $3.42 each but had to pay shipping. They'll be cheaper at Tesla if they're in stock (less than $1.50).

It was an easy job for my indy mechanic.

 

[gillmj24]

Thanks I can DIY this. How does one order parts, just call the service center?

 

[WallysRide]

Thanks I can DIY this. How does one order parts, just call the service center?

You can put in a service request and make it clear that you just want to order the parts only. They'll send you an estimate for the parts and let you know when you can pick them up.

 

[gillmj24]

You can put in a service request and make it clear that you just want to order the parts only. They'll send you an estimate for the parts and let you know when you can pick them up.

Thanks just did. Hope that works! Every service center seems to do things a little differently. I doubt it's covered under bumper to bumper used warranty (since the struts still work fine err.... "in spec"...) which ends in about a month. I've done trunk struts on other cars before and it's time to start tinkering soon anyway with warranty ending.

 

[gillmj24]

Picked up the parts for under $5.

 

[gillmj24]

Not sure why I only got 2 C clips with my 4 balljoint bolts but I did the 2 rustier screws/C-clips this afternoon since the weather was good.

Much tougher job than it should have been, the C clips rusted through and didn[t come out cleanly. Needed PB blaster being VERY careful not to overspray that junk anywhere, then an exacto knife to get the rest of the C clip out of there. Pics to come.

 

[gillmj24]

Pics
You can sort of see the little strips of broken old-C-clip in there
There has to be daylight on both sides of the ball joint on the strut for the new C clip to go in.

I used a shovel with the handle wedged outside the latch to keep it open. Theres a good V shape for the shovel handle, and it didn't budge

You can rotate the inner half of the strut axially to get access to the end of the strut to clean it out where it mates to the balljoint bolt and clean out the clip area


But the main question is why is this and nowhere else so rusty? I was afraid it was rusting from the inside but luckily the threads were not rusty. But it was still quite hard to get out with an adjustable wrench. A small, deep socket set might have worked if you have one deeper than the length that the balljoint bolt sticks out.

There is still surface rust on the end of the strut itself

I didn't do the pair near the hinge of the trunk, will get 2 more C clips. That pair isn't as rusty.

 

[gillmj24]

Much better