Are these signs I need to get my tracking checked?
Discussion
Tesla Model 3 performance.
I noticed before xmas that the front-end didn't feel right, so I took it to Tesla and replaced the upper and lower control arms on both front wheels, and some on the rears too.
The car feels much better, but there's still one issue remaining, which I'll try to explain best I can.
Firstly, on full lock it feels like the front wheels are skipping. Tesla forums seem to suggest this is normal, but I don't recall it happening over the previous 2 year.
Occasionally, when turning, the steering wheel feels like it doesn't want to return to centre, like it's fighting you a little. Car seems to drive ok in a straight line though.
Lastly, when driving, I can feel the steering wheel lightly tugging left and right over bumps. You'll be driving along and need to apply very slight pressure to counter the feedback through the wheel and suddenly it'll go light and you need to reduce the pressure.
The car used to drive like it was on rails, but now it feels like those rails have very slight kinks in them, but not all of the time. Sometimes you'll be driving past parked cars and the car will try to tug you towards them, so you feel like you can't be as precise.
I've checked tyres, and wear looks ok. Pressures are 45psi all round.
It was like this before the control arms were replaced, and I thought that would fix it. It's reduced the issue, but it's still there, and all I can think now is that its the tracking.
I noticed before xmas that the front-end didn't feel right, so I took it to Tesla and replaced the upper and lower control arms on both front wheels, and some on the rears too.
The car feels much better, but there's still one issue remaining, which I'll try to explain best I can.
Firstly, on full lock it feels like the front wheels are skipping. Tesla forums seem to suggest this is normal, but I don't recall it happening over the previous 2 year.
Occasionally, when turning, the steering wheel feels like it doesn't want to return to centre, like it's fighting you a little. Car seems to drive ok in a straight line though.
Lastly, when driving, I can feel the steering wheel lightly tugging left and right over bumps. You'll be driving along and need to apply very slight pressure to counter the feedback through the wheel and suddenly it'll go light and you need to reduce the pressure.
The car used to drive like it was on rails, but now it feels like those rails have very slight kinks in them, but not all of the time. Sometimes you'll be driving past parked cars and the car will try to tug you towards them, so you feel like you can't be as precise.
I've checked tyres, and wear looks ok. Pressures are 45psi all round.
It was like this before the control arms were replaced, and I thought that would fix it. It's reduced the issue, but it's still there, and all I can think now is that its the tracking.
Have you checked if there's a steering offset? Some models of Tesla allow you to put in a certain angle so the wheel won't return true to centre. Perhaps one of your tyres is causing the pull?
I have this issue in my car. Hold the wheel straight on a road with no camber, the car will drive perfectly straight. But if I let go of the steering wheel on the same road, the steering wheel turns to the left and the car will drift left. Tracking checked twice and is bang on.
I have this issue in my car. Hold the wheel straight on a road with no camber, the car will drive perfectly straight. But if I let go of the steering wheel on the same road, the steering wheel turns to the left and the car will drift left. Tracking checked twice and is bang on.
Jonno02 said:
Have you checked if there's a steering offset? Some models of Tesla allow you to put in a certain angle so the wheel won't return true to centre. Perhaps one of your tyres is causing the pull?
I have this issue in my car. Hold the wheel straight on a road with no camber, the car will drive perfectly straight. But if I let go of the steering wheel on the same road, the steering wheel turns to the left and the car will drift left. Tracking checked twice and is bang on.
yeh, I've already reset the steering offset which didn't help.I have this issue in my car. Hold the wheel straight on a road with no camber, the car will drive perfectly straight. But if I let go of the steering wheel on the same road, the steering wheel turns to the left and the car will drift left. Tracking checked twice and is bang on.
Don't know what you pressure should be on that but 45 sounds high, are you certain that is correct as it can make a car a bit more "fidgety" if they are too high.
Did they check the alignment after doing those changes?
Have you checked what tyres you are on, as mis-matched tyres/brands/wear levels can cause all kinds of weird handling traits.
Did they check the alignment after doing those changes?
Have you checked what tyres you are on, as mis-matched tyres/brands/wear levels can cause all kinds of weird handling traits.
E-bmw said:
Don't know what you pressure should be on that but 45 sounds high, are you certain that is correct as it can make a car a bit more "fidgety" if they are too high.
Did they check the alignment after doing those changes?
Have you checked what tyres you are on, as mis-matched tyres/brands/wear levels can cause all kinds of weird handling traits.
Google suggests 42psi is correct.Did they check the alignment after doing those changes?
Have you checked what tyres you are on, as mis-matched tyres/brands/wear levels can cause all kinds of weird handling traits.
E-bmw said:
Don't know what you pressure should be on that but 45 sounds high, are you certain that is correct as it can make a car a bit more "fidgety" if they are too high.
Did they check the alignment after doing those changes?
Have you checked what tyres you are on, as mis-matched tyres/brands/wear levels can cause all kinds of weird handling traits.
All four tyres are Michellin PS4's.Did they check the alignment after doing those changes?
Have you checked what tyres you are on, as mis-matched tyres/brands/wear levels can cause all kinds of weird handling traits.
I've just checked the tread depth.
Passenger front is 3.7mm on the inside, and 4.8mm across the rest of the tyre.
Drivers front is 5mm on the inside and drops to 4.6mm on the outside.
TheBinarySheep said:
I've just checked the tread depth.
Passenger front is 3.7mm on the inside, and 4.8mm across the rest of the tyre.
Drivers front is 5mm on the inside and drops to 4.6mm on the outside.
That suggests there is something strange going on with your alignment.Passenger front is 3.7mm on the inside, and 4.8mm across the rest of the tyre.
Drivers front is 5mm on the inside and drops to 4.6mm on the outside.
What about the rears?
Was your alignment checked after the suspension work?
The skipping could be the Ackerman effect.
This is effectively a skipping feeling on cold tyres typically noticed on wide tyres. Porsches are known for this and it goes away when the tyres warm.
The reason you might not have noticed before is because your bushes were worn allowing the arms to move. Now the bushes are tight the effect has manifested.
This is effectively a skipping feeling on cold tyres typically noticed on wide tyres. Porsches are known for this and it goes away when the tyres warm.
The reason you might not have noticed before is because your bushes were worn allowing the arms to move. Now the bushes are tight the effect has manifested.
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