Replace both front sway bar (anti-roll bar) end links on a 2024 Model X. Air suspension and aluminum body construction require specific lifting and handling precautions.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front sway bar end link assembly (left) × 1 — OEM Model X front-left sway bar link — verify by VIN
• Front sway bar end link assembly (right) × 1 — OEM Model X front-right sway bar link — verify by VIN

Preparation

1. Park on level ground, place in P, engage parking brake.
2. Exit ALL doors with 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 on Model X). Remove the frunk liner/access panel as required, then disconnect the negative terminal first.
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: enable Jack Mode on the touchscreen (Controls > Service > Jack Mode) to disable air suspension auto-leveling. Jack Mode setting must be entered with HV system live, then 12V can be disconnected.
7. Chock the rear wheels.
8. Loosen front lug nuts while the wheels are still on the ground.
9. Raise the vehicle on a lift using only Tesla-specified front jacking points with appropriate puck adapters.
10. Remove both front wheels and set aside on a non-marring surface.

Procedure

1. 1

   Inspect old links and surrounding components
   Visually inspect the existing sway bar end links for the failure mode (torn boots, play in ball stud, broken link, knocking noise on test drive). Also inspect the sway bar bushings/brackets and lower control arm ball joints while access is open — these are common adjacent wear items on Model X.
2. 2

   Apply penetrating oil
   Apply penetrating oil to the upper and lower sway bar link stud threads on both sides. Allow several minutes to soak. The lower mount attaches to the sway bar; the upper mount attaches to the strut/lower control arm depending on chassis configuration — confirm visually before disassembly.
3. 3

   Remove driver-side (left) sway bar link upper nut
   Insert an appropriately-sized Allen/hex key into the end of the link stud to hold it from spinning. Using a wrench on the nut, loosen and remove the upper retaining nut. If the stud spins and the boot is destroyed, you may need to grip the stud with locking pliers as a last resort (link is being replaced anyway).
   ⚠Do not let the wrench slip and contact the strut or aluminum subframe — surface damage on aluminum is not cosmetic-only and can promote corrosion.
4. 4

   Remove driver-side lower sway bar link nut
   Repeat the hold-and-remove procedure on the lower stud where the link attaches to the sway bar. Once both nuts are removed, withdraw the link from the vehicle. Light prying on the sway bar may be required to gain clearance; pry against a non-painted, structural surface only.
5. 5

   Remove passenger-side (right) sway bar link
   Repeat steps 3 and 4 on the passenger side. Note the orientation of the old link before removal — some Model X links are side-specific or have a directional bend. Compare new parts to old before installing.
6. 6

   Compare new links to old
   Lay the new links beside the old ones. Confirm matching length, stud angle, and any L/R markings. Verify boots are intact and grease is present. Do not install a damaged or mismatched link.
7. 7

   Install driver-side new sway bar link
   Position the new link in the orientation matching the removed unit. Hand-thread the upper and lower nuts onto the studs to ensure no cross-threading. Do not fully tighten yet — leave both nuts snug only.
8. 8

   Install passenger-side new sway bar link
   Repeat installation on the passenger side. Hand-thread both nuts and leave snug. Verify the sway bar is centered and not preloaded to one side.
9. 9

   Torque all four sway bar link nuts
   Using the Allen/hex key to hold the stud from spinning, torque each of the four nuts (upper L, lower L, upper R, lower R) to the verified specification. The hold-the-stud technique is mandatory — torquing without it will produce false readings and damage the boot.
   ⚠Sway bar link nuts are typically nyloc/prevailing-torque style. Replace with new nuts if the supplied hardware kit includes them, or if the old nuts spin freely on the threads.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Verify sway bar bracket bolts (visual inspection)
    While in the area, visually inspect the sway bar bracket-to-subframe bolts for looseness or corrosion. If any were disturbed or are loose, torque to the verified Sway Bar Bracket Bolt specification.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Bracket Bolts47 Nm (35 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reinstall both front wheels. Snug lug nuts in a star pattern; final torque to OEM specification — refer to Tesla Service Manual — once the vehicle is on the ground.
2. Lower the vehicle to the ground.
3. Final-torque the lug nuts to the manufacturer-specified value in a star pattern.
4. Reconnect the 12V battery (positive first, then negative). Reinstall the frunk access panel/liner.
5. Close the frunk. Allow the vehicle to fully wake up — the touchscreen and instrument cluster should fully boot.
6. Exit Jack Mode on the touchscreen and allow the air suspension to self-level to the standard ride height before driving.

Verification

• With the vehicle at normal ride height, perform a body-rock test: push down on each front fender corner and release. Suspension should return cleanly without metallic clunks.
• Test drive on a road with mild lateral undulations (e.g., crowned road, gentle S-curves). Listen for sway bar end link knock — silence indicates correct installation; clunks indicate loose nuts or a mis-seated link.
• After test drive, re-lift the vehicle and re-verify all four sway bar link nut torques while holding the stud. Settling can occasionally allow a nut to seat further.
• Confirm no warning messages on the instrument cluster regarding suspension or vehicle dynamics. The Model X stores no separate calibration for sway bar links, so no service software re-init is required.
• Note: This job does not affect alignment directly, but if the vehicle has not had an alignment recently and tire wear is uneven, a four-wheel alignment is recommended after any front suspension work.

More procedures for this vehicle