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by bhasi 944 days ago
"Creaking From the Tires or Brakes"

I don't have a Tesla, but I hear this sound in my own car, especially now that it's winter. I began hearing this after my recent car service that involved a ~real~ rear brakes replacement. When I took my car to the service guy, it was afternoon and I was no longer able to reproduce the noise.

This was driving me crazy until now! I now know it's nothing to worry about.

4 comments

I’m not sure I agree with Tesla on this diagnosis. To me that sound is metal rubbing against metal with friction.

Before I investigated pads and discs, my first port of call would have been any ball joints. I don’t know the typical Tesla suspension make up but if there’s any bottom ball joint at the control arm / wheel carrier interface or tie-rod end, then that would be first.

Either way, definitely sounded like a failing ball joint to me. I’d want to visually inspect the dust boots for cracks, use a pick to check it’s still fully packed with healthy grease, then with wheels in the air, manipulate the wheel - hands at 12 o clock and 6 o clock, rock back and forth (testing bottom ball joint). Hands at 3 and 9 o clock (testing tie rod end).

Of course brake pads on discs can also fit the profile of “metal rubbing against metal with friction” but in that particular recording… unless the audio has been messed with (which from listening to some other clips I think they have applied some hi and lo cut with roll off in post)

This one is normal (every tesla I know of does this, ymmv of course). However their older model 3 and y were equipped with some very shoddy engineered suspension arms which, over time, started to creak because water can enter them. Also all the water from the front window was/is distributed more or less directly over the suspension arms. Newer models have somewhat better suspension arms equipped.
Likely a bit of rust on the rotor. In addition, it is crazy how fast rotors rust when unused.

Example https://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/623429-New-Bra...

If it was a Tesla, you might want to check that brake pads are present: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=29949728
Sounds like break-in of new brake pads.