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Subframe Bolt Came Out; Tesla Says My Fault??

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Does this make sense to anyone? We were driving the other day and suddenly started hearing a large rattling/clanking noise. We took the car into the dealer the next day. They said the right front subframe bolt became completely dislodged, which as a result caused the right front halfshaft boot to become torn. They put the bolt back in, but to fix the halfshaft (no idea what that is) will cost $800. The dealership said we "must" have hit something or gone offroading to cause the bolt to unscrew itself, so they are refusing to cover it under warranty. We never hit anything, and my wife definitely does not go offroading in between shuttling the kids to basketball and tennis practice. And there is no physical evidence of any damage to the car whatsoever. It is an April 2020 Long Range Plus with 20k miles, so still pretty new. Any advice as to whether what Tesla is saying makes sense and how to approach this?

Below is what they wrote up in my invoice/estimate:

Concern: Rattle or squeak - customer states: Loud rattling from under car when driving - Customer stopped by service center 11/15/21, confirmed noise/vibration, technician inspected and found the Right Front Subframe Bolt dislodged from impact to Right Front Halfshaft which resulted in the Right Front Halfshaft boot to be torn, secured and torqued all suspension bolts to specifications, recommend replacement of Right Front Halfshaft
 
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bolts do "come loose" unless they were not torqued in the first place. if you hit something hard enough to loosen the bolt, i would expect something to crack, something to shear, and there to be visible damage around where the impact had occurred.

i would be concerned that they just reinserted the bolt into the subframe and that the bolt might have stripped out some of the threads (but maybe they've already verified this).

btw, tesla told me my cracked forelink was the result of me hitting something as well. once i got the part back it was clearly not my fault.
 
Concern: Rattle or squeak - customer states: Loud rattling from under car when driving - Customer stopped by service center 11/15/21, confirmed noise/vibration, technician inspected and found the Right Front Subframe Bolt dislodged from impact to Right Front Halfshaft which resulted in the Right Front Halfshaft boot to be torn, secured and torqued all suspension bolts to specifications, recommend replacement of Right Front Halfshaft
I interpret that to mean that Tesla Service believes that there was an impact to the right front halfshaft which tore the boot and resulted in the bolt coming out.

I am not making any judgements about whether or not the car hit something that caused the described damage, I’m just giving you my interpretation of the wording you quoted.

You said; “They said the right front subframe bolt became completely dislodged, which as a result caused the right front halfshaft boot to become torn”.

I read it as the events happened the other way around; there was an impact to the halfshaft which tore the boot and the bolt came out because of the impact.

You say you have “no idea” what a halfshaft is. You could easily rectify your lack of knowledge with a quick web search. Here is the first search result that came up for me https://www.cars.com/auto-repair/glossary/half-shaft/
 
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Does this make sense to anyone? We were driving the other day and suddenly started hearing a large rattling/clanking noise. We took the car into the dealer the next day. They said the right front subframe bolt became completely dislodged, which as a result caused the right front halfshaft boot to become torn. They put the bolt back in, but to fix the halfshaft (no idea what that is) will cost $800. The dealership said we "must" have hit something or gone offroading to cause the bolt to unscrew itself, so they are refusing to cover it under warranty. We never hit anything, and my wife definitely does not go offroading in between shuttling the kids to basketball and tennis practice. And there is no physical evidence of any damage to the car whatsoever. It is an April 2020 Long Range Plus with 20k miles, so still pretty new. Any advice as to whether what Tesla is saying makes sense and how to approach this?

Below is what they wrote up in my invoice/estimate:

Concern: Rattle or squeak - customer states: Loud rattling from under car when driving - Customer stopped by service center 11/15/21, confirmed noise/vibration, technician inspected and found the Right Front Subframe Bolt dislodged from impact to Right Front Halfshaft which resulted in the Right Front Halfshaft boot to be torn, secured and torqued all suspension bolts to specifications, recommend replacement of Right Front Halfshaft
That is kind of messed up especially when there's already a TSB out on replacing both half shafts. They should have just replaced your front half shafts regardless. It's insulting to make you pay for a part that is recalled and replaced under TSB.


 
I interpret that to mean that Tesla Service believes that there was an impact to the right front halfshaft which tore the boot and resulted in the bolt coming out.

I am not making any judgements about whether or not the car hit something that caused the described damage, I’m just giving you my interpretation of the wording you quoted.

You said; “They said the right front subframe bolt became completely dislodged, which as a result caused the right front halfshaft boot to become torn”.

I read it as the events happened the other way around; there was an impact to the halfshaft which tore the boot and the bolt came out because of the impact.

You say you have “no idea” what a halfshaft is. You could easily rectify your lack of knowledge with a quick web search. Here is the first search result that came up for me https://www.cars.com/auto-repair/glossary/half-shaft/
I think you’re right. I was reading it backwards. Regardless, we didn’t hit anything. We asked if they can show us the evidence we hit something, and the manager sent me this picture without any explanation - Meet Google Drive – One place for all your files

Of course I had to email back asking him to expound, but haven’t heard anything yet. -
 
That is kind of messed up especially when there's already a TSB out on replacing both half shafts. They should have just replaced your front half shafts regardless. It's insulting to make you pay for a part that is recalled and replaced under TSB.



Amazing. Thank you for this! The part # for the half shaft they quoted me is the exact one in the bulletin.
 
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Amazing. Thank you for this! The part # for the half shaft they quoted me is the exact one in the bulletin.
Dude, that !@#$%^ up! They're supposed to replace the shafts anyways. And when you are reaming them out, remember that they have to prove the damage. So get under your car and take pictures. to cya. I really hate it when a service tech who has simple training and is not a forensic specialist gets the power to void warranties at will. That's essentially what they are suggesting since the wouldn't replace it. Don't forget to remind them that those bolts DO COME loose. There are threads here about those bolts coming loose and causing noises.
 
Thanks so much. I asked them for proof and they sent me this photo with no explanation. - IMG_6516.jpg
I emailed back asking them to expound. I’ll post what they say.
I don't see any damage, But I do see the boot separating and spewing grease all over. Notice the gunk around all the parts? And sorry I have to lmao, the outer boot is separated. Where is the bolt? If you google what the X front subframe looks like it isn't anywhere near the outer boot.
 
I think you’re right. I was reading it backwards. Regardless, we didn’t hit anything. We asked if they can show us the evidence we hit something, and the manager sent me this picture without any explanation - Meet Google Drive – One place for all your files

Of course I had to email back asking him to expound, but haven’t heard anything yet. -
Can you indicate on that photo which bolt came loose?
 
Tesla didn't tell me sh*t. For those following this thread--

(1) In response to my request for proof that I damaged the halfshaft, they sent me back the original photo with a red square around the halfshaft - IMG_6516.jpg. Of course I responded saying all you did was draw a box; where is the evidence that I caused the halfshaft to fail??

(2) I asked them which bolt came loose and they said you couldn't see it in the photo, so they highlighted it for me in this photo - image002.png

And in case you missed my post #3, I misread the service notes in my original post. Tesla is claiming I hit something that damaged the halfshaft, and that the resulting impact caused the bolt to come loose (not the other way around as I stated in my original post).
 
Tesla didn't tell me sh*t. For those following this thread--

(1) In response to my request for proof that I damaged the halfshaft, they sent me back the original photo with a red square around the halfshaft - IMG_6516.jpg. Of course I responded saying all you did was draw a box; where is the evidence that I caused the halfshaft to fail??

(2) I asked them which bolt came loose and they said you couldn't see it in the photo, so they highlighted it for me in this photo - image002.png

And in case you missed my post #3, I misread the service notes in my original post. Tesla is claiming I hit something that damaged the halfshaft, and that the resulting impact caused the bolt to come loose (not the other way around as I stated in my original post).
It's reading like this service center is trying to screw you when they should be accommodating especially in light of the TSB. Try to escalate it. If that doesn't work, threaten to sue. Whomever's boss' boss will have to show and *sugar* will hit the fan for them. For you, it will be a slam dunk easy win. It's a big issue for Tesla that bolts keep coming loose. A big liability problem and that is on your side. And ask them if they really want to push you? Check the threads below, it happens a lot more than it should.

 
It's reading like this service center is trying to screw you when they should be accommodating especially in light of the TSB. Try to escalate it. If that doesn't work, threaten to sue. Whomever's boss' boss will have to show and *sugar* will hit the fan for them. For you, it will be a slam dunk easy win. It's a big issue for Tesla that bolts keep coming loose. A big liability problem and that is on your side. And ask them if they really want to push you? Check the threads below, it happens a lot more than it should.

Very helpful. Thanks so much!
 
Do t do this over email. Go in person. Make them show you. If you hit something, there’d be a witness mark. I sure don’t see one - that’s clean as a whistle down there.

I’d be cautious about threatening a lawyer or to sue right away. As SOON as you say that, any conversation will stop and there’s zero chance of any other resolution. All conversation at that point will be through Tesla legal.

Not saying it’s never the time to do that but it should be a last resort.

Good luck - on the surface this seems ridiculous to me - just a SC manager not wanting to put the right part in.

This is what gives Tesla service a bad name. We could have a dozen Paramuses out there (my local SC which ROCKS) — all it takes is this one manager to ruin their reputation.
 
Thanks so much for the reply. I did do the dance already with the first level advisor in person, and he said the technician took pictures of the damage and he would email them to me. In retrospect I should have had them show me while the car was on the rack. I never got an email so I had to call in and get the manager involved. The manager emailed me the picture and I’ve been dealing with him. I totally agree about being very cautious about threatening a lawsuit. I don’t mind going there (I’m in fact a lawyer), but really want to avoid any trouble and want them to do the right thing here on their own.

Do t do this over email. Go in person. Make them show you. If you hit something, there’d be a witness mark. I sure don’t see one - that’s clean as a whistle down there.

I’d be cautious about threatening a lawyer or to sue right away. As SOON as you say that, any conversation will stop and there’s zero chance of any other resolution. All conversation at that point will be through Tesla legal.

Not saying it’s never the time to do that but it should be a last resort.

Good luck - on the surface this seems ridiculous to me - just a SC manager not wanting to put the right part in.

This is what gives Tesla service a bad name. We could have a dozen Paramuses out there (my local SC which ROCKS) — all it takes is this one manager to ruin their reputation.
 
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I think you’re right. I was reading it backwards. Regardless, we didn’t hit anything. We asked if they can show us the evidence we hit something, and the manager sent me this picture without any explanation - Meet Google Drive – One place for all your files

Of course I had to email back asking him to expound, but haven’t heard anything yet. -
I would want to see the boot and half shaft itself at reputed impact location to asses impact damage. But I am DEEPLY skeptical that 1) given where the half shaft is located that any object could reach it and cause such an impact.
And 2) that if by some miracle it did so in such a way as to dislodge the bolt that it would not have damaged the bolt and/or subframe.
An impact as they describe does not loosen a bolt and they would have to be totally inept to believe the physics of that.
 
while i don't disagree, tesla service terrible in many ways i'm not sure they are at fault in this particular situation

1. this looks like a torn cv boot, that's a maintenance item and would typically be on you to cover
2. i do agree them telling you it's from an impact is a joke
3. i'm not sure how the TSB on the halfshafts is related to this; the TSB is a service advisory but not a recall

sorry you have to deal with this!
 
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Does this make sense to anyone? We were driving the other day and suddenly started hearing a large rattling/clanking noise. We took the car into the dealer the next day. They said the right front subframe bolt became completely dislodged, which as a result caused the right front halfshaft boot to become torn. They put the bolt back in, but to fix the halfshaft (no idea what that is) will cost $800. The dealership said we "must" have hit something or gone offroading to cause the bolt to unscrew itself, so they are refusing to cover it under warranty. We never hit anything, and my wife definitely does not go offroading in between shuttling the kids to basketball and tennis practice. And there is no physical evidence of any damage to the car whatsoever. It is an April 2020 Long Range Plus with 20k miles, so still pretty new. Any advice as to whether what Tesla is saying makes sense and how to approach this?

Below is what they wrote up in my invoice/estimate:

Concern: Rattle or squeak - customer states: Loud rattling from under car when driving - Customer stopped by service center 11/15/21, confirmed noise/vibration, technician inspected and found the Right Front Subframe Bolt dislodged from impact to Right Front Halfshaft which resulted in the Right Front Halfshaft boot to be torn, secured and torqued all suspension bolts to specifications, recommend replacement of Right Front Halfshaft

You could have totaled the X into an accordion and that bolt still wouldn't have un-screwed. It MIGHT have broken in that case.

Just turn it over to your insurance company under a comp claim and they should set Tesla straight.