Tires rubbing only when in reverse

[jz788]

2015 85D has been in and out the SC as they can't figure out the problem.

Front tires rub only on reverse as I'm turning all the way to the left or right.

After reading and thinking, could it be the caster? In the picture, on the left is a report from April 2019 (where no rubbing occurred), the right is a report from November 2019 where rubbing is happening

The caster in April seems like a huge difference to now?

 

[mongo]

2015 85D has been in and out the SC as they can't figure out the problem.

Front tires rub only on reverse as I'm turning all the way to the left or right.

After reading and thinking, could it be the caster? In the picture, on the left is a report from April 2019 (where no rubbing occurred), the right is a report from November 2019 where rubbing is happening

The caster in April seems like a huge difference to now?

Caster should not do that and alignment was corrected anyway.

Do you have staggered front and rear wheels (Arachnid)? If so, the fronts and rears may be swapped.
Front right tire rubbing through fender into wiring? PICS*

Other option is deformed wheel liner:
Front Tire Wheel Well Rubbing in reverse - FIX

Wrong tires on staggered rims:
Tires rubbing

 

[jz788]

I have stock 245/45/19 all around

I was thinking the numbers on the previous alignment better suited my S if that's even possible?

 

[mongo]

I have stock 245/45/19 all around

I was thinking the numbers on the previous alignment better suited my S if that's even possible?

Half a degree should not move the tire enough to interfere. I'd check out the wheel liner. Another thing to try is have a person outside the car look at the wheel to wheel well gap while switching between drive and reverse and moving a little to see is something is shifting that should not.

 

[Ostrichsak]

Funny question but have you looked under the back end? This sounds like something that could be a rear diffuser hanging down that only makes sound when you're in reverse because it's hanging the other direction if that makes sense. I would start by laying down and looking underneath the back of the car and follow the diffuser all the way up and make sure that all four of them are still fully attached and none of them are hanging down.

 

[MP3Mike]

I have stock 245/45/19 all around

That is the tires, are all four wheels the same width? (It isn't likely that the smaller tires would be put on the larger wheels but I have seen it happen before.)

 

[mongo]

That is the tires, are all four wheels the same width? (It isn't likely that the smaller tires would be put on the larger wheels but I have seen it happen before.)

The 2015 85D S had either 8 or 8.5 inch rim, with the 8inch getting 245/40s. the 8.5 had 245/45 per Tesla Model S 2015 - Wheel & Tire Sizes, PCD, Offset and Rims specs

Interesting link on tire width vs wheel width:
Tire Width for a Wheel/Rim Size Chart

 

[jz788]

Half a degree should not move the tire enough to interfere. I'd check out the wheel liner. Another thing to try is have a person outside the car look at the wheel to wheel well gap while switching between drive and reverse and moving a little to see is something is shifting that should not.

the gap is sooooo close but their is clearance. Tried the heat gun trick but no luck.

 

[jz788]

That is the tires, are all four wheels the same width? (It isn't likely that the smaller tires would be put on the larger wheels but I have seen it happen before.)

yes wheels are all 8.5” and 40mm offset

 

[jz788]

Funny question but have you looked under the back end? This sounds like something that could be a rear diffuser hanging down that only makes sound when you're in reverse because it's hanging the other direction if that makes sense. I would start by laying down and looking underneath the back of the car and follow the diffuser all the way up and make sure that all four of them are still fully attached and none of them are hanging down.

took a look and all looks ok, this is becoming a head scratcher

 

[mongo]

yes wheels are all 8.5” and 40mm offset

That doesn't seem right.
Per the S owners manual:
The 19 inch wheels are 8 wide and take 245/45
The 21 inch wheels are 8.5 wide and take 245/35

 

[webbbcam]

I have exactly the same problem.
The original wheels 19" and Michelin Primacy tires fit and worked perfectly.
I purchased from Tire Rack 19" Rial Lugano wheels and Michelin Ice X snows. Unbeknownst to me these were 8.5 in compared to the original 8.0.
Only the snows make the noise when backing up and the wheel turned fully. I've checked multiple times but no damage to either the tire or the fender liner has occurred over the 4 winters I've used them.
Oh well, next time I'll specify 8.0 inch rims.

John

 

[Alysashley79]

I have this problem to with my winter tyres. (Not studded) service tech said not to worry as at low speeds won’t harm car.

 

[jz788]

That doesn't seem right.
Per the S owners manual:
The 19 inch wheels are 8 wide and take 245/45
The 21 inch wheels are 8.5 wide and take 245/35
View attachment 495051 View attachment 495052

My mistake I may have overlooked that, mine would then be 8” wide.

not too knowledgeable with wheels but width wouldn’t matter on a wheel that’s 8.5” wide on 19s since 21s are 8.5” wide?

 

[mongo]

My mistake I may have overlooked that, mine would then be 8” wide.

not too knowledgeable with wheels but width wouldn’t matter on a wheel that’s 8.5” wide on 19s since 21s are 8.5” wide?

Yeah, seems like that shouldn't be an issue.

 

[jz788]

I have exactly the same problem.
The original wheels 19" and Michelin Primacy tires fit and worked perfectly.
I purchased from Tire Rack 19" Rial Lugano wheels and Michelin Ice X snows. Unbeknownst to me these were 8.5 in compared to the original 8.0.
Only the snows make the noise when backing up and the wheel turned fully. I've checked multiple times but no damage to either the tire or the fender liner has occurred over the 4 winters I've used them.
Oh well, next time I'll specify 8.0 inch rims.

John

Yeah, seems like that shouldn't be an issue.

I wonder why webbbcam has the issue as well?

 

[mongo]

I wonder why webbbcam has the issue as well?

May have also gotten wider tires to match the wheels?

 

[webbbcam]

May have also gotten wider tires to match the wheels?

Same size tire. My guess is that the shoulder profile of the winter tread is enough to just reach the fender liner.
No marks, no damage, just noise.

 

[paulp]

I had a similar problem, although not quite the same (noise rather than scraping) but it might be worth checking. Essentially the factory put the steering wheel on crooked, and then aligned the life out of the front end to make the car go straight. On full lock this then caused significant noises - maybe those noises were scraping.....not sure. Fortunately my local tesla guy found it just before he was about to realign the subframe that holds the front end (has the subframe been checked?), he popped the steering wheel off and realigned everything the easy way. Problem fixed.

 

[jz788]

Same size tire. My guess is that the shoulder profile of the winter tread is enough to just reach the fender liner.
No marks, no damage, just noise.

exactly my symptoms with oem wheels and stock Michelin tires. It’s just frustrating the vehicle is making the noise when it shouldn’t