Replacement of a front lower ball joint on a 2024 Model X Long Range. On this generation, the lower ball joint is integral to the forged aluminum lower control arm assembly on most Tesla suspensions — verify whether your specific arm allows ball joint replacement separately or requires control arm replacement before ordering parts.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Lower ball joint or complete lower control arm assembly (verify correct application for VIN) × 1 — Tesla Model X 2024 front lower control arm / ball joint — confirm by VIN
• New cotter pin for ball joint castle nut × 1 — OEM-spec cotter pin
• New steering knuckle pinch bolt (single-use) × 1 — OEM-spec single-use pinch bolt
• New control arm-to-subframe bolts (if specified single-use by manufacturer) × 2 — OEM-spec — verify single-use status

Preparation

1. Park on level ground, place in P, engage parking brake.
2. 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.
3. Disconnect the 12V low-voltage battery located in the frunk (remove frunk trim to access). Follow Tesla's documented LV disconnect sequence.
4. DO NOT touch, cut, or pierce ANY orange cable — these are high-voltage and lethal.
5. 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.
6. Before disconnecting 12V: enter the touchscreen Service menu and activate Jack Mode to disable the air suspension self-leveling. Confirm the suspension is locked at service height.
7. Confirm falcon doors are closed and will remain closed for the duration of service.
8. Chock the rear wheels. Loosen the front wheel lug nuts while the vehicle is still on the ground.
9. Lift the vehicle at the manufacturer-designated front lift points using puck adapters. Support on jack stands rated for EV curb weight. Never rely on the jack alone.
10. Remove the front wheel on the affected side.

Procedure

1. 1

   Inspect and document
   Inspect the lower ball joint, control arm, boot, sway bar end link, and steering knuckle for damage. Confirm the failure mode (play, torn boot, noise) and verify your replacement part matches the OE arm/joint configuration. Photograph orientation of all fasteners before disassembly.
2. 2

   Disconnect the sway bar end link
   Hold the end link stud with an Allen key and remove the lower nut connecting the sway bar end link to the control arm (or knuckle, depending on configuration). Swing the link out of the way.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Support the lower control arm
   Place a jack under the lower control arm and apply light upward pressure to maintain control of the suspension once the ball joint is released. Do NOT lift the vehicle off its stands.
   ⚠The coil-over portion of the air strut is under spring/air pressure even in Jack Mode — keep the arm supported throughout.
4. 4

   Release the steering knuckle pinch bolt (if equipped)
   If the lower ball joint stud is retained by a pinch bolt design rather than a castle nut, remove and discard the single-use pinch bolt from the steering knuckle. If your specific arm uses a castle-nut design instead, skip to the next step.
   Torque spec

   Pinch Bolt61 Nm (45 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove the ball joint cotter pin and nut
   If a castle nut is used, straighten and remove the cotter pin (discard), then remove the ball joint nut. Note which torque spec applies based on the joint configuration: castle-nut designs use the cotter-pin-retained value; non-cotter designs use the alternate value. Verify against the service literature for your specific arm.
   Torque spec

   Ball Joint Nut102 Nm (75 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Separate the ball joint from the knuckle
   Use a ball joint separator or press to release the tapered stud from the steering knuckle. Avoid pickle-fork use if the boot is being reused — it will tear the boot. Once free, lower the control arm carefully on the supporting jack.
   ⚠Do not strike the aluminum knuckle with a hammer to break the taper — use a press-style separator.
7. 7

   Remove the lower control arm (if replacing the entire arm)
   If the ball joint is integral to the arm, mark and remove the inboard control arm-to-subframe bolts and extract the arm. Discard bolts if specified single-use by the manufacturer.
   Torque spec

   Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Install the new ball joint / control arm
   Position the new arm or pressed-in ball joint. Hand-start all fasteners. For the inboard control arm bolts, snug only — final torque is applied with the vehicle at ride height.
9. 9

   Reconnect ball joint to steering knuckle
   Seat the ball joint stud into the knuckle taper. Install the new castle nut and torque to specification, then continue tightening only as needed to align the next slot for a NEW cotter pin — never back off to align. If a pinch-bolt design, install a NEW pinch bolt and torque to spec.
   ⚠️A loose or improperly retained ball joint can fail catastrophically and cause loss of control. The cotter pin or single-use pinch bolt MUST be new.
   Torque spec

   Ball Joint Nut102 Nm (75 lb-ft)

   Pinch Bolt61 Nm (45 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Reconnect the sway bar end link
    Reattach the end link, holding the stud with an Allen key, and torque the nut to spec.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reinstall the front wheel and snug the lug nuts.
2. Lower the vehicle until the suspension is loaded at normal ride height.
3. Final-torque the inboard control arm-to-subframe bolts at ride height to specification.
4. Final-torque the wheel lug nuts in a star pattern to specification.
5. Reconnect the 12V battery in the frunk and reinstall trim.
6. Exit Jack Mode via the touchscreen Service menu and confirm the air suspension self-levels normally.
7. Cycle the suspension through Low / Standard / High and verify no warnings on the cluster.

Verification

• With the vehicle at ride height, confirm there is no play at the ball joint by rocking the wheel at 6 and 12 o'clock.
• Confirm no suspension or chassis warnings appear on the touchscreen after exiting Jack Mode.
• Test drive at low speed first, listening for clunks over bumps; then at highway speed, verify the vehicle tracks straight and steering is centered.
• An alignment is REQUIRED after ball joint or control arm service on Model X — schedule a four-wheel alignment at a Tesla-capable shop with EV-rated lifts.
• While the vehicle is in the air, take the opportunity to inspect items on Tesla's real-world service intervals: brake fluid age (replace every 2 years), cabin filter (every 2 years, or 3 years for HEPA), and tire condition/rotation (every 6,250 mi).
• Re-check ball joint torque and visually confirm cotter pin/pinch bolt installation after the first 100 miles.

More procedures for this vehicle