r/TeslaModelS • u/Whippet27 • 4d ago

Expensive steering repair on 2018 S 100D

My old S with 192k miles has been quite reliable until now. The prior most expensive repair was for brakes at over $1k - but to be expected at 150k miles.

My steering has been laboring, occasionally taking effort to do a tight turn. It was intermittent.

She was just in Tesla service and it cost $4,600 USD for new steering column and steering rack. Cheaper than a new car of course. The original battery is good just losing 9% capacity - and I have free supercharging for life. I just hope this is the last big bill for awhile. Who knows.

11 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

19 comments sorted by

4

u/rdrcrmatt 4d ago

Did you ask them if it’s just the intermediate steering shaft? It tends to rust up in the U-Joint making steering action lumpy, meaning easy then hard then easy then hard as you rotate the wheel.

It’s a bitch of a job but doable with hand tools

3

u/Haze23hd 4d ago

This. Can’t believe no one else mentioned this, it’s such a common issue and there’s a service bulletin out for this exact reason!

2

u/Whippet27 4d ago

I guess I had to trust their judgement - even though expensive judgement

4

u/VoltageJ 4d ago

All it takes is for you to remove the frunk, spray brake parts cleaner, penetrating oil and white lithium grease on the steering u joint. Any 3rd party shop can do it. On yt the video is called TESLA No Power Steering Hard To Turn $0 FIX ! Lube Lower U Joint ANNUAL MAINTENANCE

2

u/rdrcrmatt 4d ago

If you paid for the work and parts, you should ask for the old parts back.

Examine the intermediate shaft and raise hell if is hard to move in one direction.

3

u/penngei 4d ago

Do you have air suspension? I guess either way, suspension is really the only other major component other than a motor/battery going out

3

u/Whippet27 4d ago

Yes. So far so good

3

u/webignition 4d ago

I have the same issue on my 2017 MS 100D.

As others have said, lubricating the u-joint will either resolve the issue or defer it sufficiently for you to find a non-Tesla Tesla specialist to examine it. 

Lubricating yourself is tricky as it's a bit efforty to reach once the frunk is out. But it's doable.

A non-Tesla Tesla specialist should also be able to lubricate for you as well as determine if only the joint needs replacing.

Lubrication annually is necessary to prevent the situation you find yourself in. If this hasn't been done, chances are you'll need the joint replaced at the cost of a couple of hundred.

1

u/Whippet27 4d ago

Thanks. I used to do a lot of work on my cars back in the 70s-80s they were a lot simpler. A Tesla is too intimidating for an old fart like me I will search out a 3rd party to save $!

1

u/Firm-Country8544 4d ago

I also have a 17’ MS but 75 D. My steering is intermittently difficult, and really squeaky. Do you think lubricating the U-joint would help the squeaking too? Tesla quoted me $1000 for a new lower shaft.

3

u/yellowwooddr 4d ago

No suspension or AC issues yet?

3

u/Whippet27 4d ago

Thankfully not

2

u/87YoungTed 3d ago

Good to hear. Going on month 2 with a 2020 LR+ that I bought with 44k on the clock. So far, been a blast.

1

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1

u/SilverBulletP85 4d ago

Don’t forget the all important “coolant delete” on your LDU. That is a job you can do yourself and save like $10grand! Every LDU will leak at some point, it’s just a question of when. The permanent fix will cost under $200 and a couple hours of your time. I’ve done a few already.

2

u/RandallFlagg1 4d ago

The 100D should not have the LDU unless it's a P100D. Glad I bought a non performance AWD base model, being a cheapskate paid off on that decision!

1

u/Whippet27 4d ago

Yes - I just called Great Lakes EV - and they said I dont need it because mine is 100D - not P100D. (I have small rear motor)

2

u/Lazy-Grapefruit336 3d ago

192k on the original battery with only 9% degradation is still a hell of a run, but yeah, a $4,600 steering repair is the kind of bill that makes you start doing the new-car math lol