Scraping noise mysteriously came and went

[focher]

Had this issue today. Pulled over to try and record it, but it disappeared.

I've had this happen three different times over the last 15 months. The first time was horrifying, as it sounded like metal on metal scraping. Recently when it occurred I just accelerated a little, hit the brakes hard, and repeated a few times. Whatever was stuck was dislodged and the world was right again.

 

[Athena67]

My new 3 started this horrible scraping sound out of the front end. Opened windows, certainly from outside. Pulled into a parking lot and it didn’t happen in R. Back in D started again. I went back and forth a couple times and D always happened. I just left and it stopped in a couple hundred feet. 2nd time. It’s in the front motor area. Not brakes.

 

[neptunesfinest]

Sounds like the same thing to me. It’s not motor related. In my case the sound changed along with wheel speed, not motor speed. The fact that you didn’t hear it in reverse pretty much confirms that was the case for you as well.

 

[mongo]

Sounds like the same thing to me. It’s not motor related. In my case the sound changed along with wheel speed, not motor speed. The fact that you didn’t hear it in reverse pretty much confirms that was the case for you as well.

I may be understanding you, but Teslas have a fixed gear box, you can't vary the wheel speed without varying the motor speed.

 

[jdcatc]

I just had this happen so came here seeking an answer. I heard the scraping sound. Earlier I had driven in a downpour, lots of pooled water and a flash flood warning issued. I also had been in a graveled driveway at the vet’s office. I went home for a few hours and then as I was just going out again, that is when I heard the scraping. Pulled over, got down on all fours to see what the car was dragging and saw nothing. Then, As I was slowly driving around the block to go home, it stopped. I hope we’re good. I’ll drive it again tomorrow.

 

[focher]

It'll be fine. It's happened to me three times. The third time, after I knew what it was, the easy fix and stopping suddenly a few times worked like a charm.

 

[SiNiSon]

Do we know where the rocks are getting stuck? Happens to me every few days. Scrape sound and then loud ping when it dislodges...

 

[focher]

Do we know where the rocks are getting stuck? Happens to me every few days. Scrape sound and then loud ping when it dislodges...

Between the pad and the rotor.

 

[Olavxxx]

Often my 3P gets gravel behind brake shield, that will make a terrible sound and then it "throws it out" and some times make a ptrooooing sound.

 

[sperkin]

I came here from a google search because I have this same problem. Went to a National Park and picked up a couple of pebbles. No tire / brake shops around so just wondering if I can drive in freeway speed with it. Seems like people are saying it's fine and will grind itself down before falling out.

Everyone in the park can hear me coming and going. I think 50 to 100 people heard me today as I drove up and down the park.

 

[MountainRatMat]

That works, there is also a "how to" on Tesla's website:

Do It Yourself - Model 3

 

[KungfuPops2064]

This hasn’t happened to me but some Tesla YouTube couple online described a situation exactly like what you described.

 

[Rahimi]

I was driving locally on Sunday when I began to notice a metallic scraping noise the would change with speed. I pulled into my driveway to check if anything came loose, but I couldn't see anything hanging from the vehicle. I checked the rear brakes since it that was the most obvious place where the noise would be coming from, but they looked okay. I called Tesla customer support, but they were closed for the weekend. I waited a half hour and then tried driving again. The scraping noise was still there. I drove for a few blocks and then pulled into a gas station to pick up something from the convenience store. When I pulled away, the noise was gone and has not returned.

I called Tesla service at 9 AM on Monday and they said it could have been a rock got stuck in the brake pad and then dislodged itself. I've never heard that happening, not even on any of the Tesla forums, but the service-person said that it happens from time-to-time.

Has this ever happened to anyone?

It happens with mine. Dont know what it is. It comes ang goes by time.

 

[RefreshedP]

I have had this happen on multiple vehicles with brembo brakes. Just reach in behind the spoke with a long flat head and slightly push the dust shield away from the rotor. Don't force it back far, just give a firm push.

 

[CherylBxxx]

Happened to me today. It has been -17 Celsius today and there is lots of gravel on the roads to reduce ice. Went to the automatic car wash to see if the undercarriage wash would flush it out. When I pulled into my garage and parked the sound came back. I’ll try it again in the morning.