Providing Solutions For Alberta Tesla Owners: Tesla Model 3/Y Steering Column Universal Joint Replacement
As the global Tesla Model 3 & Y fleet ages, and as road salt use continues to increase in Alberta, more Tesla owners are experiencing an unfortunate failure: the universal joints in their steering column are wearing out. These joints, which allow the steering column to rotate through different angles, can fail in two different ways:
- The universal joint seizes, causing a stiff or hard-to-turn feeling at one spot in the steering wheel rotation.
- The universal joint wears and becomes loose, causing a loose or sloppy feeling when moving the steering wheel back-and-forth.
In the photo above, the lower steering column universal joint is seized. For a Model 3 and Model Y, this isn’t a cheap repair because unlike the Model S & X where the steering column intermediate shaft (the lower portion of the column, containing the joints) can be replaced separately, Tesla only services these joints as part of a complete steering column assembly.
Another Innovative My Garage Solution
As a hybrid and electric vehicle service leader, we’ve been proud to introduce many new and innovative repair solutions to the industry. Here’s another one: We can replace the failed universal joint in your Tesla Model 3/Y steering column!
The repair starts with carefully removing the steering column from your vehicle, including taping off the knee bolster to prevent scratches. Then, with the column supported in a jig, the staking that retains the factory joint is cut away. Next we press out the original joint, before pressing in a specially-sourced replacement joint that we carry in stock. Finally, the joint is re-staked and the steering column shows no indication that it was ever disturbed — except that your issue is repaired, for under half the cost of a steering column replacement! Like everything else we do, the repair is covered by our industry-best 3 year/100,000 kilometer parts and service warranty.
Will we sell this universal joint separately?
This has been a popular inquiry since publishing this article. Our answer begins with a warning: this is not a DIY repair and should only be undertaken by licensed and insured automotive professionals. Your steering column and air bags are both part of critical safety systems where a mistake might not just result in a breakdown — it could result in injury or death. For that reason, we will provide the replacement joint to automotive service centres only, who are located outside of Alberta. Current pricing is CAD$59 each, plus freight and GST. We provide a 90 day parts warranty on outside sales. To learn more, please contact us.
What about the Tesla Model S and Model X?
Tesla owners have asked us if we would consider offering the same repair for a Model S or X, and the answer is no — but only because on these vehicles, the intermediate steering shaft is replaceable separately from the column. Given the cost of Technician time today, it would actually cost our clients more to replace just the joint, vs. bolting in a new intermediate steering shaft.
Are you looking for the best Tesla maintenance and repair centre in Alberta? You’ve come to the right place! To learn more, schedule an appointment or ask a question, please contact us using the links below.