 Tesla - Repairs
| The ball head is screwed on at the top. |
This is typical of manufacturers who release their first, second or even fourth car, not paying enough attention to possible repairs, especially the cost of them. In this case, we would like to highlight two examples that Tesla
can perhaps be accused of.
One thing we have already mentioned several times is the rapid introduction of the cast lower parts, for example on the Model Y at the front and rear. We have not yet found a way to have these repaired cost-effectively in the
event of even minor damage, e.g. due to a rear-end collision.
What we saw in terms of welding technology on this aluminum casting was rather hair-raising and certainly not approved like that by the manufacturer. Conversely, this means that the entire front or rear substructure must be
replaced in such a case.
Can you imagine the costs of the spare part and especially the assembly? Before the technology was introduced in new cars, people should have thought about this and looked for solutions. Because such an accident is
possible after the first trip.
But we actually want to point out a second problem. Certainly enough has already been written about the trouble with the wishbones, for example on the Model 3. But if you call it that, you've already made a mistake, because
it's actually a problem with the ball heads.
| Truly easy to replace, this time on the lower wishbone . . . |
They shouldn't actually cause any problems because they've been around for 50 years, introduced, for example, during the lifetime of the Beetle produced in Germany. And why do we say 'wishbones' and not 'ball heads'?
Because at Tesla the entire wishbone always has to be replaced to fix the problem.
One has simply deprived oneself of the opportunity to just replace ball heads, because they are obviously part of the wishbone. And a problem immediately arose during this saving process, namely that water can get in,
which causes these ugly creaking noises after a long period of use.
| Such a construction is also possible with aluminum |
With our series of pictures and the video below, we try to prove that other manufacturers either screw these joints to the wishbone, regardless of whether it is at the top or bottom, or make them removable using a pressing
tool.
It is modern to press in the ball head.
(Video about tools below). |
And if this only happened with insignificant manufacturers, there would be no such tool from renowned toolmakers. Apart from that, you would get ball joints with a guaranteed seal and could easily change the manufacturer
if necessary. But the Tesla solution is probably a little cheaper.
At the customer's expense once the vehicle is out of warranty. By the way, if only the ball head is replaced, not only is the repair significantly cheaper, but assuming the company carrying out the work has enough experience,
you could also save on wheel alignment.
And if you also discover additional weights attached to the wishbones of the Tesla, whether screwed or even fastened with cable ties, then this is not just a case of makeshift work in the latter, which you shouldn't actually find
on any car except on electrical cables.
But it is also a solution in terms of automotive technology that shows that the design has not been completed. There is no additional mass required for a wishbone. Quite the contrary. Assuming the necessary stability, it has
to be as light as possible, because it is one of the unsprung masses, where lightweight construction brings double the benefit.
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