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Tesla Model S · Auckland

Model S service, air suspension and front-end clunks

Air suspension that sags overnight, a clunk from the front end over bumps, or a 12V that has finally given up. The S is a heavy car with a long service history behind it, and most of what goes wrong is mechanical rather than mysterious.

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Bring it in and we'll tell you what we find.

What you're hearing

Model S noises, and what usually causes them

The front end and the air suspension account for most of what comes through our door. The noise you hear, and when you hear it, narrows it down quickly. None of this replaces putting the car on a hoist, but it tells you what you're likely dealing with.

Clunk over bumps Front upper control arms A single clunk from the front over expansion joints and speed bumps. The best-known Model S fault, and the first thing we look at when the noise is up front.
Sagging overnight Air struts and air lines The car sits low on one corner after a night parked. A leaking strut or line, and the compressor works itself hard trying to keep up.
Compressor running constantly Air suspension compressor Once a leak has been running for a while the compressor is usually next. Fix the leak first, or the replacement goes the same way.
Height that will not settle Ride height sensors One corner reading wrong sends the car chasing a height it never reaches. Often mistaken for a strut fault.
Knocking at the rear Rear upper links and bushes Knocking over rough surfaces from the back of the car, and rear geometry that drifts out with it.

Not sure which one it is?

Neither are most people. Bring it in, we'll put it on the hoist and tell you what we find. Nothing gets done until you've said yes to a quote.

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Tyres and geometry

Why Model S tyres wear on the inside edge

Inside-edge wear is a geometry problem, not a tyre problem. Two and a quarter tonnes with instant torque is unforgiving of camber and toe that have drifted out of spec — and worn suspension components move that geometry as they go. Replace the tyres without correcting the alignment and the new set wears the same way.

Air suspension adds a step. Ride height and alignment are tied together, so a car that isn't sitting where it thinks it is won't hold an alignment either. We check ride height and the air system before we touch the geometry.

We fit EV-rated tyres and align in-house, so it's one visit rather than two.

Everything else your Model S needs

All of it under one roof in Penrose, with genuine Tesla or quality aftermarket parts — your choice.

Tesla WOF / COF WOF while you wait, and COF A for working Teslas. Read more → Annual service Scheduled maintenance to Tesla intervals. Read more → Air suspension Struts, lines, compressor and height calibration. Book → Tyres & alignment EV-rated tyres, fitted and aligned in-house. Read more → Brakes Pads, discs and the service regen braking hides. Read more → 12V & HV battery Twelve-volt replacement and HV health checks. Read more → Breakdown insurance Autosure cover for out-of-warranty Teslas. Read more → Paint protection Dura-Seal, applied while the car is in. Read more →

Model S questions we get asked

Why does my Model S clunk over bumps? Most often the front upper control arms. It is a single clunk rather than a rattle, and it shows up over expansion joints, speed bumps and driveways. Worn lower links, sway-bar links and top mounts can sound similar, so it is worth having it on a hoist rather than guessing from the sound.
Why does my Model S sag overnight? A leak somewhere in the air suspension — usually a strut, sometimes a line or a valve block. The compressor keeps the car up while you are driving and loses the fight while it is parked. Left alone, the compressor is normally the next thing to fail.
Can you service Tesla air suspension outside of Tesla? Yes. We diagnose the leak, replace struts, lines or the compressor, and recalibrate ride height afterwards. You choose genuine Tesla parts or quality aftermarket, and we tell you the difference before you decide.
Why are my Model S tyres wearing on the inside edge? Wheel geometry that has drifted out of spec — camber and toe. Ride height and alignment are linked on an air-sprung car, so we check the air system first, then correct the geometry. Fitting new tyres without doing that means the next set wears the same way.
What does it cost to find out what the noise is? Nothing. Bring it in, we put it on the hoist and tell you what we find. Any work is quoted before it starts.
★★★★★
GVI service centre are awesome. Super fast replies with good work. Luan kept me updated at every step and is incredibly professional.
Taliesin Dickson Google review

Book your Model S in

Tell us what it's doing and when suits. We'll come back to you within the hour during business hours.

Free loan cars, subject to availability Free Local Pickup and Drop Off from work or home Finance on larger repairs — Afterpay and Smart Cover
GVI Super Site 575 Great South Road, Penrose, Auckland 1061

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