Hello All,
I have a 2020 Model Y that I drive up in fairly rural New Hampshire - part of my road is dirt, and I drive regularly on roads that are treated with brine including I-89.
When I went to get my car inspected, the mechanic pointed out my rusted (to the point of near failure) rear brake lines. (See pictures). I do go through a car wash with underspray a few times every winter....
Some back-and-forth in the app with the Tesla service department in Massachusetts (Hey Tesla, how about a service location in Vermont or New Hampshire please!) they told me that the rust wouldn't be covered under warranty unless the brakes had actually rusted through and failed. (D'oh! -- so I have to crash before you'll pay for it?!?) repair estimate: $1,350 to replace ALL of the brake lines. OUCH!
I finally got down to the Tesla shop, and when they pulled the rear wheels, they understood what the issue really was: The casting of the body in the rear wheel wells has a lip that catches and holds not just dirt, but also the brine from the highway... creating a very nice moist environment around the unprotected steel rear brake lines in the wheel well. (see pictures). An inspection of the rest of the brake lines showed this was a very localized issue directly behind the wheels in that one section that has no cover or protection from the elements - it is a dirt and salt collector that is almost designed to rust out the rear brake lines... Estimate was reduced to replacing just these two rear brake lines (~$730).
After a "Call upstairs" the service department offered a credit of covering half the cost of the repair. Still will be out $315 for what is basically a design defect that will likely affect every Model Y that is ever driven on regular winter roads/dirt roads in New Hampshire, New England, and probably all of Canada too.
My question: Has anyone else experienced this issue? Just on a Model Y, or also on a Model 3?
This really needs a permanent fix - either some sort of non-corrosive brake lines on the rear brakes, or else some sort of cover for that part of the wheel well, or a modification to the casting so it doesn't collect dirt/brine/salt...
I can pressure-wash this area every week or two during the winter, but because of the location, I don't think the sprayer will reach without removing the tires... D'oh!
Thoughts anyone?
I have a 2020 Model Y that I drive up in fairly rural New Hampshire - part of my road is dirt, and I drive regularly on roads that are treated with brine including I-89.
When I went to get my car inspected, the mechanic pointed out my rusted (to the point of near failure) rear brake lines. (See pictures). I do go through a car wash with underspray a few times every winter....
Some back-and-forth in the app with the Tesla service department in Massachusetts (Hey Tesla, how about a service location in Vermont or New Hampshire please!) they told me that the rust wouldn't be covered under warranty unless the brakes had actually rusted through and failed. (D'oh! -- so I have to crash before you'll pay for it?!?) repair estimate: $1,350 to replace ALL of the brake lines. OUCH!
I finally got down to the Tesla shop, and when they pulled the rear wheels, they understood what the issue really was: The casting of the body in the rear wheel wells has a lip that catches and holds not just dirt, but also the brine from the highway... creating a very nice moist environment around the unprotected steel rear brake lines in the wheel well. (see pictures). An inspection of the rest of the brake lines showed this was a very localized issue directly behind the wheels in that one section that has no cover or protection from the elements - it is a dirt and salt collector that is almost designed to rust out the rear brake lines... Estimate was reduced to replacing just these two rear brake lines (~$730).
After a "Call upstairs" the service department offered a credit of covering half the cost of the repair. Still will be out $315 for what is basically a design defect that will likely affect every Model Y that is ever driven on regular winter roads/dirt roads in New Hampshire, New England, and probably all of Canada too.
My question: Has anyone else experienced this issue? Just on a Model Y, or also on a Model 3?
This really needs a permanent fix - either some sort of non-corrosive brake lines on the rear brakes, or else some sort of cover for that part of the wheel well, or a modification to the casting so it doesn't collect dirt/brine/salt...
I can pressure-wash this area every week or two during the winter, but because of the location, I don't think the sprayer will reach without removing the tires... D'oh!
Thoughts anyone?