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"Whompy Wheel" Syndrome

Discussion in 'Model S' started by Bew1219, Feb 24, 2021.

  1. Bew1219

    Bew1219 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2021
    Messages:
    6
    Location:
    Knoxville, TN
    I was driving this morning and the car started to pull to the left, as if my tire had gone flat. I pulled over and found that side of the car to be resting on the tire. I thought the air suspension had gone out in that area, but after having it towed, we found the ball joint to have failed. After looking online, I am thankful it wasn't much worse. If you Google Whompy Wheel Syndrome, you'll see plenty of stories where an accident ensued and lots of damage followed. Now I'm just interested to see what this will cost to fix. Guessing I should have the passenger side replaced, as a precaution, as well.
     

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  2. JohnSnowNW

    JohnSnowNW Active Member

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    "Whompy Wheels" is a term coined and perpetuated by a lunatic living in Australia. The pictures associated with that phrase were taken from random pictures the guy found while trawling the internet, and there is no evidence at all that the crashes were in any way associated with the vehicles' suspension.

    That is not to say people haven't had suspension issues, but "Whompy Wheels" is FUD and therefore not a legitimate source of information.
     
    • Like x 4
    • Informative x 3
  3. aerodyne

    aerodyne Active Member

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    The parts are a few hundred USD.

    It is a well known problem affecting the early MS.

    Tesla has SB on this issue, should be covered under warranty.

    Recall in China.
     
  4. dhanson865

    dhanson865 Active Member

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    4,331
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    unfortunately there isn't a service center open in Knoxville yet, That's a long tow to Atlanta or Nashville to fix.
     
  5. SO16

    SO16 Active Member

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    See if there’s a certified Tesla repair shop nearby willing to fix it. But you will probably have to pay for the fix. Might be cheaper than sending to Nashville.
     
  6. Decibelle

    Decibelle Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2017
    Messages:
    127
    Location:
    Vancouver, BC 2015 P85D
    What year and model is your car?
     
    • Like x 1
  7. Bew1219

    Bew1219 Member

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    Location:
    Knoxville, TN
    If the wheel had "fallen" away from my vehicle (and not inward) and I had been traveling on the interstate, which I often do on that regular trip, an accident would certainly have ensued. If you've got a better term to refer to the issue, I'll be glad to hear it. Otherwise, I think "whompy wheels" is a good enough term.
     
  8. Bew1219

    Bew1219 Member

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    Location:
    Knoxville, TN
    With 123,xxx miles on the odometer, it's no longer under warranty. Got a quote for $1,2xx.xx to replace both upper control arms. (Plus the $800.00 tow to the service center, if the mobile tech can't handle).
     
  9. Bew1219

    Bew1219 Member

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    Location:
    Knoxville, TN
    Yeah. It would have been nice if this issue had manifested when I had it towed for a daughterboard replacement back in December. Those $800.00 tows add up.
     
    • Informative x 1
  10. Bew1219

    Bew1219 Member

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    Location:
    Knoxville, TN
    2014 MS 85
     
  11. aerodyne

    aerodyne Active Member

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    Perhaps you can make a case it should have been.

    The service bulletin had been in place for some time.

    They should have checked for it.

    Worth a try to see if they will cover it under goodwill, or reduce the price.
     
    • Helpful x 1

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