Replace the front lower control arm bushing on a 2024 Model X Plaid. On this generation, Tesla typically does not service the bushing separately — the lower control arm is replaced as an assembly. Air suspension must be disabled before lifting.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front lower control arm assembly (bushing typically not serviced separately on this platform) × 1 — Manufacturer-specified front lower control arm for 2024 Model X Plaid
• Ball joint cotter pin × 1 — New cotter pin — single use
• Control arm pivot bolts (if specified single-use by Tesla) × 2 — Refer to Tesla Service Manual for single-use fastener requirement

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 (similar position to Model S). Remove frunk trim/cover as required to access the battery.
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 place the air suspension in Jack Mode to prevent self-leveling during lift.
7. Be aware of falcon door clearance overhead if working in a tight bay — falcon doors should remain closed during this job; do not lean on them.
8. Loosen front wheel lug nuts while the vehicle is still on the ground.
9. Raise the vehicle at Tesla-designated lift points and support securely on jack stands or a four-post lift.
10. Remove the front wheel on the side being serviced.
11. Inspect the area for any orange HV cabling, cooling lines, or sensor harnesses before beginning disassembly.

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove underbody aero shielding
   Remove the front underbody aero panels and any inner fender liner fasteners required to access the lower control arm pivot bolts and the ball joint area. Set hardware aside in labeled order — Model X uses a mix of plastic clips and Torx fasteners that must be reinstalled in the correct locations to maintain aero efficiency and range.
2. 2

   Disconnect sway bar end link from control arm
   Locate the sway bar end link where it attaches to the lower control arm. Hold the inner shaft with an Allen key to prevent rotation, then loosen and remove the nut. Swing the end link clear of the control arm.
   Torque spec

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

   Separate ball joint from steering knuckle
   Straighten and remove the cotter pin from the ball joint castle nut. Discard the cotter pin — it is single-use. Loosen and remove the ball joint nut. Use a ball joint separator or tie-rod puller to release the ball joint stud from the knuckle. Do NOT use a steel hammer on the aluminum knuckle.
   ⚠Support the knuckle/hub assembly with a strap or stand once the ball joint is released — letting it hang stresses the CV axle inner joint and brake hose.
   Torque spec

   Ball Joint Nut88 Nm (65 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Support and disconnect any harnesses on the control arm
   If a ride-height sensor link, brake line bracket, or wheel speed sensor harness is routed on the control arm, carefully unclip it. Note routing for reassembly.
   ⚠Damage to the ride-height sensor or its linkage will cause air suspension fault codes and incorrect ride height.
5. 5

   Remove control arm pivot bolts
   Support the control arm with a transmission jack or stand. Loosen and remove the inboard pivot bolts securing the control arm to the subframe. Withdraw the control arm from the vehicle.
   Torque spec

   Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Service the bushing (per OEM)
   Confirm with the current Tesla parts catalog whether the front lower bushing is offered as a separate service item for this VIN. If it is NOT offered separately (typical for this generation), install a complete replacement lower control arm assembly. If it IS offered separately, press the old bushing out and the new bushing in using a hydraulic press with the manufacturer-specified adapters, observing the correct bushing clocking/orientation. Do not use heat or impact to remove the bushing from an aluminum arm.
   ⚠Incorrect bushing orientation will cause premature failure and abnormal tire wear. If the arm has alignment marks, transfer them before pressing.
7. 7

   Install control arm and start pivot bolts
   Position the control arm into the subframe mounts. Install the pivot bolts hand-tight only at this stage — final torque must be applied with the suspension loaded at ride height.
8. 8

   Reconnect ball joint to knuckle
   Insert the ball joint stud into the knuckle. Install the ball joint nut and torque to specification. Install a NEW cotter pin; if the slots do not align, tighten the nut slightly further to align — never back off to align.
   Torque spec

   Ball Joint Nut88 Nm (65 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Reconnect sway bar end link
   Reattach the sway bar end link to the control arm. Hold the inner shaft with an Allen key while torquing the nut.
   Torque spec

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

    Reattach harnesses, sensors, and aero shields
    Reclip the ride-height sensor link (if applicable), brake line, and wheel speed sensor harness. Reinstall the underbody aero panels and inner fender hardware in the original locations.
11. 11

    Reinstall wheel and lower vehicle to load suspension
    Reinstall the wheel and snug the lug nuts. Lower the vehicle so the full vehicle weight is on the wheels (or use a rolling jack to simulate ride height under the knuckle/hub). This is required before final-torquing the control arm pivot bolts.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts136 Nm (100 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Final torque of control arm pivot bolts at ride height
    With vehicle weight on the wheels, torque the control arm inboard pivot bolts to specification. Torquing these bolts unloaded will pre-load the bushing and cause early failure.
    ⚠Skipping the loaded-torque step is the most common cause of premature bushing failure on this platform.
    Torque spec

    Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Final wheel torque
    Torque the wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts136 Nm (100 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reconnect the 12V battery in the frunk and reinstall the frunk trim.
2. Close the frunk and verify all doors and the falcon doors operate normally — the vehicle may need a brief power cycle for systems to fully re-initialize.
3. Re-enter the touchscreen and exit Jack Mode; allow the air suspension to self-level to standard ride height.
4. Confirm no suspension or ride-height fault messages on the instrument cluster.

Verification

• Verify ride height is even side-to-side at the front after the air suspension self-levels — uneven height suggests a ride-height sensor link reinstallation error.
• Test drive at low speed and listen for clunks over bumps; a properly torqued bushing should be silent.
• Confirm steering returns to center and there is no pull — a four-wheel alignment is required after this repair.
• After alignment, if camera-relevant geometry changed, perform an Autopilot camera recalibration drive per Tesla's on-screen prompts.
• Re-inspect ball joint cotter pin and confirm both pivot bolts were torqued at ride height.
• While the vehicle is on the lift for alignment, this is a good opportunity to check service intervals: brake fluid (every 2 years), cabin air filter (every 2 years; 3 years for HEPA-equipped X), and battery coolant inspection (4 years / 50,000 mi).

More procedures for this vehicle