Will the halfshaft issue be fixed?

[Dazureus]

Almost anyone that has the dynamic air suspension in the Model X and Model S is familiar with the issues of prematurely worn halfshafts in the front suspension (aka acceleration shudder). I've had the halfshafts on my Model X replaced three times (all under warranty) with the latest fix being keeping the suspension in low at all times. It's suspected that the angle of the joint at ride heights greater than that a low is contributing to the wear.
With the Cybertruck's reported adjustable suspension, I'm wondering a few things:
1) Is this going to be a completely redesigned suspension, free from the S/X issues?
2) If it's an iterative design from S/X, how will this issue be addressed?

Also, with such a great variance in ride height, is there a mechanism to reduce uneven tire wear when riding at the various heights for long periods?

 

[ryan.fenchel]

Excellent questions. We have 2018 MX with shudder and I just scheduled service to replace (first time) half-shafts. It is my wife’s car but when I get it I hammer it on occasion (who am I lying too...every time.

Reserved a tri-motor Cybertruck for me. Will be bummed if it suffers similar issues.

 

[Hank42]

Almost anyone that has the dynamic air suspension in the Model X and Model S is familiar with the issues of prematurely worn halfshafts in the front suspension (aka acceleration shudder). I've had the halfshafts on my Model X replaced three times (all under warranty) with the latest fix being keeping the suspension in low at all times. It's suspected that the angle of the joint at ride heights greater than that a low is contributing to the wear.
With the Cybertruck's reported adjustable suspension, I'm wondering a few things:
1) Is this going to be a completely redesigned suspension, free from the S/X issues?
2) If it's an iterative design from S/X, how will this issue be addressed?

Also, with such a great variance in ride height, is there a mechanism to reduce uneven tire wear when riding at the various heights for long periods?

Are you referring to AWD models S/X? my 2012 RWD S has no such shudder/shaft problems - so I'm assuming this is an AWD issue?

 

[Dazureus]

Are you referring to AWD models S/X? my 2012 RWD S has no such shudder/shaft problems - so I'm assuming this is an AWD issue?

It's probably a combination of the linkages required for adjustable suspension with the torque output from the front motor. Here's a link to the 44 page thread in the Model X forum. Users are starting to report it on Raven models as well. I've had my halfshafts replaced a few times and during the latest repair, techs suggested that I keep the suspension in low to mitigate the issue.

 

[OneLapper]

If Tesla gets the front end of the Cybertruck geometry correct, and it has no front end / ball joint / CV joint / half-shaft issues, then they have done something that Ford, Chevy/GMC, and Dodge/Ram hasn't been able to do.

Of all the trucks I've owned, only the 2wd versions have over 80k without a front end repair or rebuild.

 

[Atari2600]

How many miles do the front half shafts last on a S or X with an air suspension?

 

[dpodoll]

No

 

[drcarric2650]

Question, and forgive my ignorance, but would a quad motor correct this half shaft problem?

 

[Darmie]

It appears the issue is a Clevis mount.

Front drive unit shudder fix - Tesla Owners Online

We can only hope they have this corrected within the 2 year wait for the CT.

 

[Cyber_Dav]

Question, and forgive my ignorance, but would a quad motor correct this half shaft problem?

I understand it to be an articulation issue. If that is the case, no, number of drive motors would not affect this issue.

Unless perhaps they put the motors themselves on gimbals so the half shafts did not articulate at all. I have no idea if this is possible or feasible.

 

[drcarric2650]

I understand it to be an articulation issue. If that is the case, no, number of drive motors would not affect this issue.

Unless perhaps they put the motors themselves on gimbals so the half shafts did not articulate at all. I have no idea if this is possible or feasible.

Thanks!

 

[ricohman]

Why not use portal hubs?

 

[Xenoilphobe]

Almost anyone that has the dynamic air suspension in the Model X and Model S is familiar with the issues of prematurely worn halfshafts in the front suspension (aka acceleration shudder). I've had the halfshafts on my Model X replaced three times (all under warranty) with the latest fix being keeping the suspension in low at all times. It's suspected that the angle of the joint at ride heights greater than that a low is contributing to the wear.
With the Cybertruck's reported adjustable suspension, I'm wondering a few things:
1) Is this going to be a completely redesigned suspension, free from the S/X issues?
2) If it's an iterative design from S/X, how will this issue be addressed?

Also, with such a great variance in ride height, is there a mechanism to reduce uneven tire wear when riding at the various heights for long periods?

Fixed

 

[wycolo]

Since the rear axle is unaffected it must be more a steering geometry (perhaps aggravated by ride height) issue.
--

 

[K2500Z71]

There is no fix for the shudder on Raven X and S yet so I’m guessing we’ll see the same problem on the early Cybertrucks at the very least.

The SC has refused to replace my half shafts on my 2019 X saying that a fix is coming.

I have a Tri-Motor CT order in. If this problem isn’t fixed for my X before the CT arrives, I’ll probably cancel my CT and go with a Rivian or Hummer EV (and swap my X for a Lyriq). The Electrify America network is coming along nicely and now that they’ve dropped free supercharging from the S and X models, the other brands look more compelling

 

[Nobleman]

Anybody know the cost of replacing the half-shafts when it is out of warranty?

 

[mark95476]

I can see the aftermarket providing U-joints, if Tesla doesn't make them factory standard.

 

[Xenoilphobe]

Half Shaft (Front Right) - Model S — ReelDeal EV - EV Car Parts and Accessories

Part Numbers: 1030616-00-A 1030616-00-B 1030616-00-C 1030616-00-D Front Right Ha lf S haft - Dual Motor 2016-Current 1626638-00-A Half Shaft Assembly, Front, Right Hand Side

www.reeldealev.com

 

[22522]

This has to do with how long the shaft is, in that the angle of the power take off is more if the shaft is shorter for a given ride height adjustment (travel).

A centered power source with max length shafts helps in lieu of material science advances. Half shaft manufacturers state acceptable operating angles.

 

[Jelger]

I just had a replacement of my halfshafts on my 2020 model S raven but I still feel a vibration when I accelerate. According to Tesla this is normal. More people who had a replacement and still feel the vibration?