Wind, Bearing, or Coolant Noise?

[CybrCuk]

Long time lurker. I had the same issue - static like / mild grinding noise between 40 - 50, disappears when going around a curve. Have an AWD VIN 53xxx, purchased as inventory in June and the noise started around September.

Took it in and they first replaced a window seal and bearings. Picked it up and driving away immediately heard the noise. Turned around and brought it back. Tech rode along this time and verified the noise and said it was not normal.

They replaced the Front Drive Unit - part 1930000-TX-F (Revision F) and the noise is gone.

Waited a bit to post to make sure the noise didn’t reappear. Its been a week and have put ~500 miles on it since. Noise hasn’t returned.

I know the FDU swap didn’t help for some but in my case the noise is gone, at least for now.

How long did the FDU take to replace? I’m concerned about bringing it in because mine was in service for 2 weeks to replace a steering wheel module that was clicking because they couldn’t get the car to communicate with the new hardware until several escalations.

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[RollCold]

How long did the FDU take to replace? I’m concerned about bringing it in because mine was in service for 2 weeks to replace a steering wheel module that was clicking because they couldn’t get the car to communicate with the new hardware until several escalations.

It took 5 days. Majority of the time was waiting on the part.

 

[eser50]

Since the first time I noticed this a few weeks ago, Its been warmer in my area and the noise was not present during any of my drives.

However it returned tonight in my way home from work and it also happened to be in the low 40s again. Coincidence? Maybe.

I decided to do a little bit of testing during the short drive.

As it had before with my truck, the white noise/static sound started when driving at a slow gradual pace around 38 mph and extends up to about 43 mph. Once exceeding 43 mph, the sound basically just disappears.

However I noticed if I slowed down from 50 mph or so back into that range of speeds, the sound doesn’t return.

The sound for me only starts during acceleration from a slower speed into that 38-43mph range.

I also noticed if I give the truck a moderate amount of throttle , instead of a gentle gradual increase, the noise doesn’t always happen.

I attempted the feathering of the throttle during the noise and didn’t notice any difference in the sound. But if I went heavier then what I’d consider tapping or feathering the throttle, it would make the noise decrease bit during the harder accelerations.

The cybertruck, or at least mine, has always made a lot of strange noise noises (many of which appear to be normal) making it hard to determine if this is actually intended behavior due to some sort of process we can’t see, like internal airflow routing changes, etc.

Mine starts at 38MPH too, I waved it off as the "active noise canceling" these trucks supposedly have, but now I'm thinking it may an actual issue.

 

[CyberGus]

How long did the FDU take to replace?

The Tesla service procedure for Front Drive Unit R&R has 138 steps, including electrical disconnect of the HV pack as well as a coolant drain and refill. It looks like it would take me a week, but they rate it at 3.4 hours hahahaha.

 

[darrenf]

For what it’s worth, I’ve had this noise on cool days since I got the truck more than a year ago and haven’t been able to isolate it. I have had my front drive unit replaced (for a different reason) and it did not affect this noise.

 

[RollCold]

For what it’s worth, I’ve had this noise on cool days since I got the truck more than a year ago and haven’t been able to isolate it. I have had my front drive unit replaced (for a different reason) and it did not affect this noise.

Thanks for sharing, that really sucks but a good datapoint. Both you and @Darryl2006 had the FDU replaced without success. Worked for @Hammy60 and I.

If putting the truck in neutral when the sound is occurring causes the sound to cease it points to an issue with the FDU. Since @Hammy60 received a newer version of the FDU than all of us, might be worth seeing if they'll replace it again.

 

[Black306]

Seems to be temperature dependent; makes more noise when cold.

Noise comes on at ~10sec in this video.


Accelerate to ~45mph, cruise, then the noise comes on in these 2 vids.

 

[Darryl2006]

Yep. Mine is identical in timing and sound to your clips. It's getting super annoying hearing it every time I drive. I can't believe Tesla can't address it and solve it. Any ideas? Seems there are many of us

 

[mongo]

That sort of sounds like refrigerant.
Does it do the same with the HVAC turned off?

 

[Black306]

That sort of sounds like refrigerant.
Does it do the same with the HVAC turned off?

Notice in vids 2 & 3, HVAC is off. HVAC was also off in vid 1.

EDIT: The sound is definitely not AC related. My Expedition makes loud AC orifice tube related/hissing sounds and the CT sound is different. CT sounds like a bad bearing/metallic sound.

 

[Black306]

Yep. Mine is identical in timing and sound to your clips. It's getting super annoying hearing it every time I drive. I can't believe Tesla can't address it and solve it. Any ideas? Seems there are many of us

I have an appointment scheduled for Sat. We’ll see what they say.

 

[mongo]

Notice in vids 2 & 3, HVAC is off. HVAC was also off in vid 1.

EDIT: The sound is definitely not AC related. My Expedition makes loud AC orifice tube related/hissing sounds and the CT sound is different. CT sounds like a bad bearing/metallic sound.

Ah my bad, I had checked the vids and was thinking it didn't display temp when off, but it just goes grey.

I have gotten noise from the drive units when stationary when the truck is heating up, but my ears are not the greatest.
Warning, camera moves around.

 

[Black306]

Ah my bad, I had checked the vids and was thinking it didn't display temp when off, but it just goes grey.

I have gotten noise from the drive units when stationary when the truck is heating up, but my ears are not the greatest.
Warning, camera moves around.

No worries.

It's hard to notice on camera...I find it most noticeable in vid #1...there is an oscillation in the sound; like a bad wheel bearing. I'm leaning towards motor cause the sound doesn't change if going straight or turning either direction. Your video's note sounds pretty consistent to me and not the same type of noise.

You gave me an idea though. Might have to mount GoPros near the motor.

 

[JCERRN]

I noticed this noise when its very cold too, interestingly enough, when i turned off the HVAC and tried to record it, it didn't reoccur. What are the chances this is hvac + very cold weather related?

 

[Black306]

Mine is pretty consistent when it's making the noise whether HVAC is on or off. Made the comment about temperature cause when I took a trip recently, the noise was much harder to hear after driving on the freeway for ~100 miles; got off the freeway and when driving ~45mph, noise was almost non existent. Figured the motor was well warmed up at that point and tolerances changed making the noise go away.

That's my concern taking it to service. They're a significant drive away and if they check it soon after me getting there, they might not hear it. Hope they diagnose it properly and check it the next day when it has had a chance to cool down.

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