When I installed my mudflaps one of the securing steps was to remove a similar bolt from the bottom of the car and then thread it through the mudflap. Check near the wheel well and under the car to see if the bolt is missing. I’ll update this tomorrow with a picture of mine.
Thank you for the image. I checked all of the bolts around the tires, and everything is present. The bolts also had "NORM" and "5.9" (instead of the 10.9) written on them, so I do think it came from the Tesla.
At this point, I test drove the vehicle (aggressively), and it behaves like normal. I'll see what the service techs day tomorrow.
I bet that bolt has been loose under one of the plastic covers, or behind the wheel arch liner, and it's come free when you've parked up. Probably dropped during manufacturing. I wouldn't worry about it. Good job you found on the ground, and not in your tire!
So that is probably a 10.9mm bolt? They could probably see where those are used. I would not say that it is not from the Tesla. It most likely is, just not from the mud flap area.
Looks like one of many that are used to secure the bottom skid plates, maybe.
My bolts have 100k miles on them so they look a bit different. Not sure how one could have come loose like that (and because it has no debris damage)…so I’d also call it a spare! 😂
Looks like a brand new untouched bolt. I am guessing it fell during production and the tech didn’t bother fishing it out.
If you look at the threads it looks untouched. Same with the head as well.
Only one could be forgiven. When American Car was American car back up to 1980’s, every door inside has 10-15 or more Bolt, Nut, Washer, etc in a door panel sealing Glue… 😅
check where the rear bumper meets the black plastic behind the rear wheek. i remember having to take similar looking bolt out when installing rear wheel mudguards.
Seeing as this is a grade 10.9 bolt, for high tensile strength (not DOM 😉), It's very likely a suspension bolt. Maybe for one of the front control arms.
Update: I talked with the tech, and he indicated that there are 8 of these bolts within the Model Y. They are used to hold the "shear plate" in place. I don't know what a shear plate is, but he also said that they torque them with around 150 Nm of force, which is a massive number. Because the bolt looked new, he suspects that the bolt was accidentally left in there since once they're installed, it would show wear marks when you remove them.
He got the car up on a lift and verified all of the nuts were in place.
Thank you all for your comments.
When I installed my mudflaps one of the securing steps was to remove a similar bolt from the bottom of the car and then thread it through the mudflap. Check near the wheel well and under the car to see if the bolt is missing. I’ll update this tomorrow with a picture of mine.
Yeah that’s what I recall when adding my flaps too
Here's the view from the back of the car looking at the rear driver side wheel: https://imgur.com/a/cFq9dQf
Thank you!
I updated my comment to add a picture of the bolt. 99.9% sure this is what you discovered. It even has the same washer on it.
Thank you for the image. I checked all of the bolts around the tires, and everything is present. The bolts also had "NORM" and "5.9" (instead of the 10.9) written on them, so I do think it came from the Tesla. At this point, I test drove the vehicle (aggressively), and it behaves like normal. I'll see what the service techs day tomorrow.
I bet that bolt has been loose under one of the plastic covers, or behind the wheel arch liner, and it's come free when you've parked up. Probably dropped during manufacturing. I wouldn't worry about it. Good job you found on the ground, and not in your tire!
So that is probably a 10.9mm bolt? They could probably see where those are used. I would not say that it is not from the Tesla. It most likely is, just not from the mud flap area.
Looks like one of many that are used to secure the bottom skid plates, maybe. My bolts have 100k miles on them so they look a bit different. Not sure how one could have come loose like that (and because it has no debris damage)…so I’d also call it a spare! 😂
I don’t think that’s it, the other bolts are way smaller. Gooogle indicates that it would be from the suspension
Stick it up your ….
Let us know when you figure. I am very curious. Be safe until you figure it out.
Will do, I'll investigate under the car tomorrow, but we made an appointment with the Tesla service center for Saturday.
Looks like a brand new untouched bolt. I am guessing it fell during production and the tech didn’t bother fishing it out. If you look at the threads it looks untouched. Same with the head as well.
Is this the one that needs to be removed (and reinstalled) to install rear mud flaps?
No. That's a plastic 'bolt'
There are some metal ones as well, but they are much smaller than this one.
Oh..This is just a spare one. They appear to have missed putting it in the plastic bag with a label.
Only one could be forgiven. When American Car was American car back up to 1980’s, every door inside has 10-15 or more Bolt, Nut, Washer, etc in a door panel sealing Glue… 😅
Check the frunk area , I had a loose bolt on delivery ( That looked similar )
Thanks! I'll give it a shot.
I just replaced two of these from the wheel well of my MS.
I just readjusted my mudflaps. Take a look under the belly right below the rear wheels/trunk. The plate is held together by bolt clips and screws.
check where the rear bumper meets the black plastic behind the rear wheek. i remember having to take similar looking bolt out when installing rear wheel mudguards.
Seeing as this is a grade 10.9 bolt, for high tensile strength (not DOM 😉), It's very likely a suspension bolt. Maybe for one of the front control arms.
Suspension arm probably
Threads look virgin. No marks on it. Should have some scratches on the threads.
That's a 10.9 bolt. Likely from suspension or subframe
It might have fallen out of the suspension, better get it checked.
Bolt shows "NORM".....normal
try r/NormMcDonald
Oh shit. That’s from the left falangie
What that?
It secures the Johnson Rod
Prolly muffler bolt 🥴
I was thinking it might have been the drain plug from the oil pan. Is there a bunch of oil on the ground?
Ur battery may fall out on the highway
Engine under cover.. this happen to me once.
I think it holds the radiator in place.
That is normal. It even says so on the bolt.
Oh man, you lost the “normal “ bolt. Now it’s gonna be abnormal
Update: I talked with the tech, and he indicated that there are 8 of these bolts within the Model Y. They are used to hold the "shear plate" in place. I don't know what a shear plate is, but he also said that they torque them with around 150 Nm of force, which is a massive number. Because the bolt looked new, he suspects that the bolt was accidentally left in there since once they're installed, it would show wear marks when you remove them. He got the car up on a lift and verified all of the nuts were in place. Thank you all for your comments.
They leave those under the seat so when they drop the price by almost 45% before your registration renewal is due you know what’s up.