Replace the front strut top mount/upper bearing assembly on a 2024 Model X Plaid. Air suspension is standard on this vehicle, so the strut is an air spring/damper unit — disabling air suspension via the touchscreen and depressurizing the system before disassembly is mandatory.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front Strut Top Mount Assembly (upper mount with bearing) × 1 — OEM Tesla Model X (2021+ refresh) front upper strut mount — refer to VIN
• Strut tower nuts (replace if single-use) × 3 — OEM specification
• Strut-to-knuckle bolts (replace if single-use) × 2 — OEM specification

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 liner/access panel, then disconnect negative terminal). Refer to architecture notes for exact location.
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 Mode and place the air suspension in Jack Mode / Transport Mode to inhibit ride-height changes. Allow the system to settle.
7. Loosen the front wheel lug nuts while the vehicle is on the ground.
8. Lift the vehicle at the manufacturer-designated front lift points using pinch-weld pad adapters. Support on jack stands rated for the Model X curb weight.
9. Remove the front wheel on the affected side.
10. Remove the frunk liner / cowl access panel as needed to expose the upper strut tower nuts.

Procedure

1. 1

   Verify air suspension is depressurized
   Confirm Service Mode shows the suspension in Jack/Transport mode and that the affected corner has settled. Listen for residual pressure release. Do not proceed if the strut still feels pressurized when the lower mount is loaded.
   ⚠️A pressurized air strut can launch fasteners and components. Confirm depressurization before loosening anything.
2. 2

   Disconnect air line and electrical connector at the strut
   Locate the air supply line and ride-height/damper electrical connector at the strut body. Release the air line per the manufacturer-specified push-to-connect fitting procedure (depress the collar, pull line straight out). Unclip the electrical connector. Cap the open air line to keep contaminants out.
   ⚠Do not kink or twist the air line. Replace any O-ring or collet that shows damage.
3. 3

   Disconnect sway bar end link from the strut
   Hold the end-link stud with an Allen/Hex key and remove the nut. Swing the link out of the way.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link61 Nm (45 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Support the lower control arm / knuckle
   Place a jack under the lower control arm to support the knuckle assembly before separating the strut. This prevents the CV axle, brake hose, and wheel speed sensor harness from being stressed when the strut is removed.
   ⚠Do not let the knuckle hang by the brake hose or wheel speed sensor cable.
5. 5

   Remove strut-to-knuckle bolts
   Remove the two through-bolts securing the strut lower mount to the steering knuckle. Note bolt orientation for reassembly. If bolts are single-use (stretch type), discard and use new fasteners.
   Torque spec

   Strut-to-Knuckle Bolts122 Nm (90 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove upper strut tower nuts
   From the frunk/cowl area, remove the three upper strut tower nuts securing the strut top mount to the body. Have an assistant or a strap support the strut from below — it will drop free once the last nut is removed.
   ⚠Do NOT remove the center damper rod nut at this stage on an air strut — that is the gas/pressure retention nut and is serviced only with the unit on a bench by qualified personnel.
   Torque spec

   Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Lower strut assembly out of the vehicle
   Tilt the knuckle outward and lower the strut out through the wheel well. Place on a clean bench.
   ⚠The unit is heavy. Support with two hands; do not let it pivot on the air line port.
8. 8

   Replace the upper strut mount
   On the bench, secure the strut body in a soft-jaw vise by the lower bracket — never by the damper tube. Following the manufacturer-specified procedure, remove the top mount retaining hardware and lift off the old mount and bearing. Inspect the upper spring/air-bag seat for damage. Install the new strut mount, ensuring the orientation index mark (if present) faces the correct direction. Torque the center retention hardware to OEM specification — refer to Tesla Service Manual.
   ⚠️If this strut is a coil-over variant rather than air, a spring compressor rated for the application is REQUIRED before removing the top mount. A released spring is lethal.
9. 9

   Reinstall strut into vehicle
   Lift the strut into the tower, aligning the upper studs with the body holes. Hand-thread the upper nuts to hold it. Guide the lower mount into the knuckle and install the through-bolts hand-tight.
10. 10

    Torque upper strut tower nuts
    Torque the three upper strut tower nuts in a cross pattern.
    Torque spec

    Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reconnect air line and electrical connector
    Reinsert the air line fully into the fitting until it seats and lightly tug to confirm engagement. Reconnect the electrical connector until it clicks.
    ⚠An incompletely seated air line will leak and the system will repeatedly try to repressurize, eventually setting a fault and disabling suspension.
12. 12

    Reconnect sway bar end link
    Reinstall the sway bar link nut, holding the stud with an Allen key.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link61 Nm (45 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Install the strut-to-knuckle bolts and torque to spec.
2. Lower the vehicle so the suspension is loaded at ride height (or use a transmission jack to simulate ride-height load on the lower control arm) before final torque on any bushing-loaded fasteners — Tesla specifies vehicle-weight-on-wheels torque for control arm fasteners.
3. Reinstall the front wheel and torque lug nuts in a star pattern.
4. Reinstall the frunk liner / cowl access panel.
5. Reconnect the 12V battery negative terminal in the frunk.
6. Exit Jack Mode via the touchscreen and allow the air suspension to repressurize. Watch for any audible leaks at the strut air line fitting.
7. Cycle the vehicle through Very High / Low ride heights via the touchscreen to confirm normal operation.

Verification

• No suspension faults or 'Air Suspension Needs Service' messages on the touchscreen after a full drive cycle.
• Vehicle holds ride height overnight — a measurable corner drop indicates an air leak at the strut fitting or strut body.
• Listen for clunks during slow steering lock-to-lock and over driveway transitions; a loose top mount will produce a metallic knock.
• Perform a 4-wheel alignment — required after any front suspension disassembly on Model X.
• Run the Tesla suspension calibration / ride-height calibration in Service Mode after the alignment.
• While the vehicle is in service, verify other interval-based items: brake fluid (Tesla recommends every 2 years), cabin air filter (2 years; 3 years if HEPA), and battery coolant inspection (4 years / 50,000 mi). Note them for the customer if due.

More procedures for this vehicle