suspension
Air Spring/Air Bag
for 2024 Tesla Model X Long Range Dual Motor AWD · AWD
Difficulty
Advanced
Time
1.5 h
Tools
9
Steps
15
Replace a failed air spring on a 2024 Model X Long Range with standard adaptive air suspension. The Model X uses air springs at all four corners; this procedure covers a single corner replacement with vehicle properly supported and air system depressurized via service mode.
Warnings
⚠️DO NOT touch, cut, or pierce any orange cable. The HV pack is floor-mounted directly under the vehicle — keep all jacks and stands on the OEM lift points only. A misplaced jack can puncture the HV battery.
⚠️Air suspension MUST be depressurized via Service Mode before disconnecting any pneumatic line or strut. A pressurized air spring can release with explosive force and cause serious injury.
⚠Falcon doors: keep rear doors closed and DO NOT open them while the vehicle is on a lift or jack stands. Opening a falcon door with the body unsupported or at an angle can damage the hinge sensors and actuators — the most common service item on Model X.
⚠Model X body panels are aluminum. Do not strike suspension components with a steel hammer near the body or subframe — use a dead-blow or brass drift only.
⚠Vehicle ride height calibration may be required after replacement. Without calibration the car may show a suspension fault and refuse to enter normal drive height.
ℹ️Control arm bolts must be final-torqued at ride height (vehicle weight on wheels), not while suspended.
Tools required
Tesla Service Mode access (touchscreen) to enter Jack Mode and depressurize air suspensionEssential
Two-post or mid-rise lift with Tesla-approved jack pad adapters (or floor jack + jack stands at OEM lift points)Essential
Metric socket set (10–24 mm)Essential
Metric hex/Allen key setEssential
Torque wrench (10–150 Nm range)Essential
Trim removal tool set
Pneumatic line disconnect tool (push-to-connect collar release)Essential
Spring compressor or transmission jack to support lower control armEssential
Ball joint separator (pickle fork or press-type)
Parts
- Air spring assembly (corner-specific, Model X 2024) × 1 — OEM Tesla air spring — order by VIN and corner (FL/FR/RL/RR)
- Upper strut tower nuts (replace if single-use per OEM) × 3 — OEM specification
- Lower mounting hardware (replace if specified single-use) × 1 — OEM specification
Preparation
- Park on level ground, place in P, engage parking brake.
- Exit ALL doors with the key fob away from the vehicle. Wait at least 2 minutes for HV systems to fully de-energize, even on this non-HV job.
- Before disconnecting 12V: enter Service Mode on the touchscreen and activate Jack Mode / Air Suspension Service Mode to lock height and depressurize the system. Confirm the corner being serviced has fully vented.
- Disconnect the 12V low-voltage battery in the frunk (negative terminal first). Wait 2 minutes before proceeding.
- DO NOT touch, cut, or pierce ANY orange cable — these are high-voltage and lethal.
- If at any point you encounter an orange cable, an HV component, or are unsure if a system is de-energized: STOP and consult a Tesla-certified technician.
- Confirm falcon doors (if servicing a rear corner) are fully closed and will remain closed during the entire procedure.
- Identify Tesla-approved lift/jack points on the rocker — never lift on the floor pan or HV battery case.
- Loosen wheel lug nuts before lifting.
Procedure
- 1Lift and support the vehicleRaise the vehicle on a lift using OEM jack pad locations, or jack at the rocker lift point and support with jack stands rated for the Model X curb weight (~5,400 lb). Confirm the air system is depressurized before any further disassembly.⚠️Jacking on the HV battery case will cause catastrophic damage and possible thermal event.
- 2Remove the wheelRemove the lug nuts and pull the wheel. Set aside on a surface that won't scratch the finish.Torque specWheel Lug Nuts136 Nm (100 lb-ft)
- 3Access upper strut mountFor a front corner: open the frunk, remove the trim/cowl panels as needed to expose the upper strut tower nuts. For a rear corner: remove the trunk side trim to access the upper mount. Use trim tools to avoid breaking aluminum-body clip bosses.⚠Aluminum body — do not pry against painted surfaces.
- 4Disconnect ride height sensor and air lineLocate the ride height sensor link at the lower control arm and disconnect it carefully — these arms are fragile. Identify the pneumatic supply line at the top of the air spring. With the system confirmed depressurized, release the push-to-connect collar and withdraw the air line. Cap or cover the open line to keep contaminants out.⚠️If you hear any hiss when releasing the air line, STOP — the system is still pressurized.
- 5Support the lower control armPlace a transmission jack or floor jack with a wide pad under the lower control arm to support its weight. This prevents the arm from dropping when the strut/air spring is disconnected and protects the ball joint and bushings.
- 6Disconnect sway bar end link (if required for clearance)If clearance is needed, separate the sway bar end link from the lower control arm. Hold the stud with an Allen key while loosening the nut.Torque specSway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
- 7Remove lower air spring/strut bolt(s)Remove the lower mounting bolt(s) that secure the air spring/strut assembly to the lower control arm or knuckle, per the manufacturer-specified configuration for this corner. Retain the hardware for inspection; replace if the OEM specifies single-use fasteners.Torque specStrut Bolts115 Nm (85 lb-ft)
- 8Remove upper strut tower nutsFrom above, remove the upper strut tower nuts while supporting the air spring/strut assembly from below. Do not allow the assembly to fall.Torque specStrut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
- 9Extract the air spring assemblyCarefully maneuver the air spring/strut assembly out of the wheel well. Inspect the upper mount, bump stop, and surrounding bushings for damage. Compare the new unit to the old one to confirm correct corner and part match.⚠Do not clamp the air spring bladder in a vise — it will be destroyed.
- 10Install the new air spring assemblyPosition the new assembly into the tower from below, align the upper studs, and start the upper nuts by hand. Then align the lower mount and start the lower bolt(s) by hand. Do not fully torque any fastener yet.
- 11Torque upper strut tower nutsWith the assembly seated and aligned, torque the upper strut tower nuts to specification.Torque specStrut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
- 12Torque lower strut/air spring boltTorque the lower mounting bolt to specification. If the OEM procedure calls for final torque at ride height, snug here and final-torque after the vehicle is back on its wheels.Torque specStrut Bolts115 Nm (85 lb-ft)
- 13Reconnect air line and ride height sensorPush the pneumatic line fully into the new air spring fitting until it seats and locks — give it a firm tug to confirm engagement. Reconnect the ride height sensor link.⚠An incompletely seated air line will leak under pressure and cause a suspension fault and possible vehicle drop.
- 14Reconnect sway bar end link (if disconnected)Reinstall the sway bar end link, holding the shaft with an Allen key.Torque specSway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
- 15Reinstall wheel and lower vehicleReinstall the wheel and torque the lug nuts in a star pattern. Lower the vehicle so full weight is on the wheels before final-torquing any control arm fasteners that were loosened.Torque specWheel Lug Nuts136 Nm (100 lb-ft)Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
Reassembly
- Reinstall any frunk or trunk trim panels removed for upper mount access.
- Reconnect the 12V battery (negative last). Close the frunk.
- Re-enter the vehicle and exit Service Mode / Jack Mode via the touchscreen.
- Allow the air compressor to repressurize the system. Listen for leaks at the new air spring connection — a steady hiss or repeated compressor cycling indicates a leak.
- Perform a ride height calibration if prompted, or if the vehicle reports a suspension fault. This may require Tesla service software for a full recalibration.
- Clear any suspension DTCs.
Verification
- Confirm no suspension warning messages on the instrument cluster or center display.
- Visually verify ride height is even side-to-side at the same corner pair (front-to-front, rear-to-rear) within OEM tolerance.
- Cycle the vehicle through Low / Standard / High ride height settings via the touchscreen and confirm all positions are reached without fault.
- After a 30-minute soak with the vehicle off, confirm the corner has not sagged (indicates a leak).
- Test drive and confirm no clunks, no pulling, and the air compressor does not run continuously.
- Note: this Model X is not on a Tesla-defined air suspension service interval, but Tesla recommends brake fluid replacement every 2 years and cabin filter every 2 years (3 years for HEPA) — note these in the customer's records if due.