Is it possible to say "NO" to pedal rivet while SC working on other issues?

[MyFirstElectricTesla]

My windshield "broke" and I need to schedule an appointment to fix it.

As others I received the recall letter last week but didn't bother because I hate the rivet. I have other very small issues to me I don't care but might mention them at SC:

- Doors alignment: I can only see them from the front looking straight along sides the truck.
- Rattles: I just turn the music up.

Can I ask them Not To Fix the pedal? I'm afraid they have to do it no matter what. The only thing to avoid that is never go to the SC but I need to change the windshield.

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[WoKKiE]

Just dropped my truck off today for some repairs and unfortunately I’m in the same boat. They are forced to inspect and rivet it.

 

[chaosmarine92]

Why don't you want it? It's tiny and only noticeable if you are specifically looking for it.

 

[Pops]

Put as sticker on it. At the very least it will cause confusion and chaos at the SC.

 

[Woodrick]

I believe that it is a mandatory safety vehicle recall.

The last thing that Tesla wants is it coming off after service and you suing them for not fixing it during service.

It's not a big deal!

 

[MyFirstElectricTesla]

Can I replace a new windshield somewhere and claim my insurance? I don’t care about other issues.

 

[wtibbit]

Can I replace a new windshield somewhere and claim my insurance? I don’t care about other issues.

Here are some alternatives to paying a deducible or other costs instead of getting a free warranty windshield repair. These alternatives are all much easier than the former and are far lower in cost and risk.

Listed in declining difficulty/expense/risk:

Buy a new pedal assembly without the rivet - if they exist - and pay the SC to install it. No risk here and may be possible. But much more expensive than the ones below, assuming you don’t have an accident due to a pedal that needed a rivet.

Drill out the rivet after it’s installed. Or pay someone to do it for you (I’m assuming that would be your path.) There is real risk here. If you do anything to avoid getting the safety-driven fix (the rivet) on your existing pedal and have an accident because of that, you will be tracked down by an insurance company who is certain to find this thread. It won’t be pleasant but it will be very expensive.

On to happier thoughts, involving hiding or obscuring that unsightly rivet…

Buy a small pack of moldable black glue and carefully fill the rivet head so the material blends into the rubber pedal.

Do the above with a tube of black RTV (a caulk/adhesive).

Get a small bottle of flat black enamel paint and an artists’ brush from a hobby shop and paint that shining rivet.

And, finally, do what the great majority of us have done. Ignore the rivet (or even embrace it). In due time it will get enough crud on it to sort of disappear from your casual view and, hopefully, your thoughts.

 

[MyFirstElectricTesla]

Here are some alternatives to paying a deducible or other costs instead of getting a free warranty windshield repair. These alternatives are all much easier than the former and are far lower in cost and risk.

Listed in declining difficulty/expense/risk:

Buy a new pedal assembly without the rivet - if they exist - and pay the SC to install it. No risk here and may be possible. But much more expensive than the ones below, assuming you don’t have an accident due to a pedal that needed a rivet.

Drill out the rivet after it’s installed. Or pay someone to do it for you (I’m assuming that would be your path.) There is real risk here. If you do anything to avoid getting the safety-driven fix (the rivet) on your existing pedal and have an accident because of that, you will be tracked down by an insurance company who is certain to find this thread. It won’t be pleasant but it will be very expensive.

On to happier thoughts, involving hiding or obscuring that unsightly rivet…

Buy a small pack of moldable black glue and carefully fill the rivet head so the material blends into the rubber pedal.

Do the above with a tube of black RTV (a caulk/adhesive).

Get a small bottle of flat black enamel paint and an artists’ brush from a hobby shop and paint that shining rivet.

And, finally, do what the great majority of us have done. Ignore the rivet (or even embrace it). In due time it will get enough crud on it to sort of disappear from your casual view and, hopefully, your thoughts.

Wow, did you forget anything? LOL.

It's just irritated. It's like steeping on a nail when driving. I wish it's a brake pedal because I rarely use it.

 

[wtibbit]

Wow, did you forget anything? LOL.

It's just irritated. It's like steeping on a nail when driving. I wish it's a brake pedal because I rarely use it.

Ha ha!!!

Well, I did think of a couple of things but decided to leave them out. Since you asked, here's one:

Wrap that dang rivet! Your friendly tint and wrap shop probably has some fabulous scraps in all the crazy colors. Or, you can get your truck wrapped in your favorite high performance ceramic material and ask the craftsperson just how much he/she would add to the invoice to put a gorgeous beauty mark on the bottom of your pedal. Every time you touch it with, I assume, a bare or stocking covered heel (hey! I'm not judging your choice of clothing), you'd feel a surge of pride, knowing that got your money's worth with that pesky rivet situation.

You know I'm just offering some off-the wall humor and hoping someone smiles a little at all this.

All the best wishes for you and your wonderful new vehicle!

- Wayne

 

[Derektsla]

My windshield "broke" and I need to schedule an appointment to fix it.

As others I received the recall letter last week but didn't bother because I hate the rivet. I have other very small issues to me I don't care but might mention them at SC:

- Doors alignment: I can only see them from the front looking straight along sides the truck.
- Rattles: I just turn the music up.

Can I ask them Not To Fix the pedal? I'm afraid they have to do it no matter what. The only thing to avoid that is never go to the SC but I need to change the windshield.

I feel the same way! I want a few things fixed, but I am waiting for a better fix. That rivet is a lazy, garbage fix and I want a better one.

My genius idea: make a fake rivet and attach it to the pedal. When they go to look at it, they probably glance at it, think it’s fixed and someone forgot to record it, and move on. Worst case, they discover it and I tell them some made up story about how my wife wouldn’t let me drive it until it had a rivet, so I faked one and forgot it was there! ?‍

OR Put a decorative wrap over the pedal with a rivet bump clearly under it. I doubt they rip off your cover to confirm if they don’t have to.

 

[cybertruckwaldo]

Just got my truck back last Friday. I told them don't even think about putting a rivet in my pedal at drop off and they listened lol

 

[Woodrick]

Wow, did you forget anything? LOL.

It's just irritated. It's like steeping on a nail when driving. I wish it's a brake pedal because I rarely use it.

Are you driving in your bare feet?
I've NEVER felt mine.

 

[canyoncarver]

Are they coming out with a revised part for new production vehicles? It seems that this is a very tacky way of addressing the problem in new production months after it was identified.

 

[Texarado]

The obsession over the rivet is mind boggling. I tow an Airstream with mine and there are rivets all over the thing. The Airstream crowd is an equally “cult-following” kind of crew and they love their rivets. As long as the rivet is centered, I don’t get the concern. There’s nothing that looks cheap or aftermarket about it. There probably wouldn’t have even been a comment about it had they initially delivered them all with it.

That said… it’s odd they picked a round rivet and didn’t pick something square. I think that may now be the only circle/rounded edge in the truck. (Sorry, didn’t mean to set off another round of rivet-hate. ??)

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