Replace a front or rear air spring on a 2024 Model X Plaid. The X uses standard air suspension with self-leveling — the system MUST be depressurized via service mode before disconnecting any air line, and recalibrated after install.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Air spring assembly (corner-specific — front or rear, left or right) × 1 — OEM Tesla Model X (2024 refresh) air spring — order by VIN
• Replacement upper mounting nuts/fasteners if single-use (verify per service manual) × 1 — manufacturer-specified fasteners

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, passenger side under service cover). Remove 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 the 12V: enter Service Mode on the touchscreen and use the suspension menu to set Jack Mode / depressurize the affected corner. This vents the air spring and prevents accidental ride-height changes.
7. Loosen wheel lug nuts on the affected corner while the vehicle is on the ground.
8. Lift the vehicle at the manufacturer-designated jack points using approved pucks. Support on rated jack stands. Remove the wheel.

Procedure

1. 1

   Confirm system is depressurized
   Verify via Service Mode that the air suspension at the target corner has been vented. The corner should have settled to its mechanical bump stop. Listen for and confirm no residual hiss before proceeding.
   ⚠️If the corner has NOT dropped, the system is still pressurized. Do not proceed — re-enter Service Mode and re-vent.
2. 2

   Access the air spring
   Remove any wheel liner fasteners or splash shields needed to access the air spring upper mount and air line fitting. On the Model X, front access is via the wheel well; rear access typically requires removing the rear wheel liner clips.
3. 3

   Disconnect the air line
   With the system confirmed depressurized, depress the push-to-connect collar on the air line fitting at the top of the air spring and pull the line straight out. Cap the open line with a clean plug to prevent contamination.
   ⚠The air line is plastic — do not kink, twist, or pull at an angle. A damaged line means a complete line replacement, not just the spring.
4. 4

   Disconnect the height sensor and electrical (if applicable)
   Unclip the ride height sensor link from the lower control arm at the affected corner, and disconnect any damper electrical connector. Tuck wiring out of the work area.
5. 5

   Disconnect the sway bar end link
   Remove the sway bar end link nut at the lower control arm to allow the arm to droop fully. Hold the stud with a hex key to prevent spinning.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Support the lower control arm
   Place a floor jack under the lower control arm at the affected corner. Apply just enough pressure to hold the arm — do NOT lift the vehicle off the stands.
7. 7

   Remove the upper strut tower nuts
   From inside the wheel well or upper mount access (front: under hood-adjacent shock tower cover; rear: under cargo trim), remove the upper strut/air-spring tower nuts retaining the assembly to the body.
   Torque spec

   Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Remove the lower strut bolt
   Remove the lower bolt(s) securing the air spring/strut assembly to the lower control arm or knuckle. Slowly lower the floor jack to allow the control arm to drop and free the bottom of the assembly.
   ⚠The control arm is under tension from the bushing — lower the jack slowly and keep hands clear.
   Torque spec

   Strut Bolts115 Nm (85 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Remove the air spring assembly
   Maneuver the air spring/strut assembly out of the wheel well. The assembly is bulky but lightweight on EV air units — protect the air line port from debris.
10. 10

    Install the new air spring
    Position the new corner-specific air spring into the wheel well. Seat the upper studs into the body mounting holes first, then jack the lower control arm up to align the lower bolt hole.
    ⚠Verify the replacement is the correct corner (front-left, front-right, rear-left, rear-right) — they are NOT interchangeable on the Model X.
11. 11

    Install upper and lower fasteners
    Hand-thread the upper strut tower nuts, then the lower strut bolt. Torque the upper nuts to spec. Leave the lower bolt finger-tight for now — final torque is applied with vehicle weight on the wheels.
    Torque spec

    Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Reconnect air line and sensors
    Push the air line fully into the new air spring fitting until it clicks and tug-test it to confirm full engagement. Reconnect the ride height sensor link and any electrical connectors.
    ⚠An incompletely seated air line will leak under pressure and may pop off, dropping the corner suddenly.
13. 13

    Reconnect sway bar end link
    Reattach the sway bar end link to the lower control arm, holding the stud with a hex key while torquing.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reinstall wheel liner and any splash shields removed for access.
2. Reinstall the wheel and snug the lug nuts.
3. Lower the vehicle to the ground.
4. With full vehicle weight on the wheels, final-torque the lower strut/control arm bolt and the control arm bolts (if disturbed).
5. Final-torque the wheel lug nuts in a star pattern.
6. Reconnect the 12V battery (negative terminal last). Close the frunk service cover.
7. Allow the vehicle to wake up and the air compressor to cycle. The affected corner will re-pressurize and rise.

Verification

• Enter Service Mode and exit Jack Mode. Command the suspension to Standard ride height.
• Verify all four corners self-level evenly. Measure ride height at each wheel arch — front-to-rear and left-to-right within manufacturer tolerance.
• Run a suspension calibration / ride height calibration through Service Mode if available; otherwise the vehicle will self-learn over the next several drive cycles.
• Check for diagnostic alerts on the touchscreen — any 'suspension fault' or 'air system fault' message means a leak or sensor issue, return to Service Mode to diagnose.
• With the engine off and key away, listen for the air compressor cycling repeatedly — this indicates a leak at the new fitting.
• Spray soapy water on the new air line connection and upper/lower spring seals; watch for bubbles with the system pressurized.
• Test drive: cycle through Low, Standard, and High ride heights to confirm normal compressor and damper response. Cycle Falcon doors only with vehicle on ground to confirm no calibration issues.
• Note: while in this area, Tesla recommends a brake fluid service every 2 years regardless of mileage — a good moment to check the service log.

More procedures for this vehicle