Replacement of worn front or rear subframe (cradle) bushings on a 2024 Model X Plaid. The subframe must be supported and lowered to access the bushings; this is a heavy, alignment-critical job on an air-suspension AWD vehicle.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Subframe bushings (OEM Tesla Model X subframe bushing set) × 4 — Tesla Model X 2022+ refresh subframe bushing — order by VIN
• Subframe mounting bolts (single-use, if specified by Tesla as TTY) × 4 — Per Tesla Service Manual — replace if torque-to-yield

Preparation

1. Park on level ground, place in P, engage parking brake, and chock the wheels.
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. Open the frunk and disconnect the 12V low-voltage battery (frunk-mounted, similar to Model S). Wait an additional 2 minutes after disconnection before working under the vehicle.
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 lifting: with the 12V still connected, enter the touchscreen Service menu and engage 'Jack Mode' to disable air suspension self-leveling. Then power down and disconnect 12V as above.
7. Confirm whether the job is FRONT or REAR subframe — the procedures differ significantly. The front subframe carries the front drive unit and steering rack; the rear subframe carries the rear drive units (Plaid has two rear motors) and is HV-adjacent.
8. If working on the REAR subframe on this Plaid Tri-Motor: the rear subframe supports two rear drive units with orange HV cabling attached. This procedure must STOP if rear drive unit removal or HV disconnection is required.
9. Mark the position of all subframe-to-body bolts with a paint pen before loosening to preserve alignment as much as possible.
10. Be aware: Falcon doors — do not open rear doors once the vehicle is on a lift; clearance is unpredictable and the door sensors will fault.

Procedure

1. 1

   Confirm scope and HV safety
   Verify the job is replacement of subframe-to-body bushings only (not subframe replacement or drive unit work). On the rear subframe of a Plaid Tri-Motor, the two rear drive units are bolted to the subframe with orange HV cables routed adjacent. If the bushing replacement procedure as defined by Tesla requires unbolting or shifting either rear drive unit, or disconnecting any orange HV connector, STOP — this crosses into HV-trained territory.
   ⚠️If any step requires disconnection of orange HV cabling or removal of a drive unit, halt the job and refer to a Tesla-certified technician.
2. 2

   Raise the vehicle and remove wheels
   With Jack Mode engaged and 12V disconnected, raise the vehicle on a lift using Tesla-designated lift pads only (puck locations on the rocker panel reinforcements). Do not place lift arms under the battery case. Once at working height, remove the road wheels at the axle being serviced.
   Torque spec

   Wheel Lug Nuts136 Nm (100 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove underbody aero panels
   Remove the front or rear underbody aero shields covering the subframe. These are retained by a combination of T25 Torx fasteners and plastic push-pin retainers around the perimeter. Bag and label hardware by location.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts27 Nm (20 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Disconnect sway bar links
   Disconnect the sway bar end links from the lower control arms on both sides. Use an Allen key to hold the stud while loosening the nut to prevent the ball stud from spinning. Set the links aside.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Disconnect tie rods and lower ball joints
   On the front: separate the outer tie rod ends from the steering knuckles and disconnect the lower ball joints from the lower control arms (or knuckles, depending on whether you are dropping the subframe with arms attached). Use a ball joint separator — do not strike aluminum knuckles with a hammer. On the rear: disconnect the lower control arm inboard bolts at the subframe to free the subframe from the suspension geometry as required by the Tesla Service Manual.
   Torque spec

   Ball Joint Nut88 Nm (65 lb-ft)

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

   Support and disconnect attached systems
   Front subframe: support the steering rack independently before unbolting it from the subframe so it can remain with the vehicle, or follow the Tesla Service Manual procedure for lowering the rack with the subframe. Rear subframe: identify all brackets, harness clips, and air suspension lines anchored to the subframe and release them WITHOUT disturbing any orange HV cables. If routing requires disturbing an orange cable — STOP.
   ⚠️Do not unclip or move any orange HV cable. Reroute the work or stop.
7. 7

   Position subframe support jacks
   Place a transmission jack with a wide cradle under the center of the subframe, and a secondary support jack under the opposite end. Snug both upward to take the weight before removing any subframe-to-body bolts. The subframe with attached arms can weigh 80–120 lb; with the steering rack or other components attached, more.
   ⚠An unbalanced subframe will tip off the jack the instant the last bolt is removed. Use two supports.
8. 8

   Mark and remove subframe-to-body bolts
   Confirm your paint-pen alignment marks are visible on each bushing-to-body interface. Remove the four large subframe-to-body bolts (typically 18–21 mm head). These are torque-critical and may be torque-to-yield — verify against the Tesla Service Manual whether they are reusable. Lower the subframe slowly and evenly on both jacks, watching for any wiring, lines, or cabling that did not get released.
   Torque spec

   Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Lower subframe to bench height
   Lower the subframe assembly to a height where the bushings can be accessed and pressed. Move it to a workbench if practical and supported. Inspect the body-side bushing pockets for cracks, corrosion, or elongation — if the pocket is damaged, this job becomes a body repair. Do not proceed if cracking is found.
   ℹ️Inspect the subframe itself for cracks at the bushing bores. Replace the subframe if cracked — a bushing alone will not solve a cracked cradle.
10. 10

    Press out old bushings
    Using a hydraulic press with appropriate cup-and-driver adapters sized to the bushing OD and the subframe bore, press the old bushings out in the direction specified by Tesla (typically downward). Support the subframe squarely in the press to avoid deforming the aluminum cradle. Do not use heat on aluminum subframe sections — it will weaken them.
    ⚠Do not apply torch heat to an aluminum subframe to free the bushing. Press only.
11. 11

    Install new bushings
    Lubricate the outer sleeve of the new bushing with the OEM-specified assembly lubricant only (do not use petroleum grease on rubber). Press the new bushings squarely into the subframe bores until fully seated against the shoulder, observing any directional/clocking arrow on the bushing — orientation affects ride compliance and NVH. Confirm the bushing is flush and not cocked.
    ⚠Bushings with directional voiding must be clocked correctly. Check the OEM service procedure for orientation marks.
12. 12

    Raise subframe and start bolts
    Reposition the subframe on both jacks and raise slowly into the body, aligning your paint-pen marks. Start all four subframe-to-body bolts by hand before tightening any. If the bolts will not start cleanly, stop and reposition — never force them. Use new bolts if the originals are torque-to-yield.
    Torque spec

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

    Reattach suspension and steering components
    Reconnect the lower control arm inboard bolts (do not final-torque yet — these torque at ride height), the lower ball joints, the tie rod ends, the sway bar end links, and reinstall any harness clips, brackets, and lines released earlier. Confirm no orange HV cable was disturbed.
    Torque spec

    Ball Joint Nut88 Nm (65 lb-ft)

    Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Final-torque subframe and control arm bolts at ride height
    Torque the subframe-to-body bolts to OEM specification — refer to Tesla Service Manual (these are not in the verified torque list provided). Lower the vehicle so the suspension carries vehicle weight, then final-torque the control arm bolts. Subframe bolts are critical — do not skip the OEM spec lookup.
    Torque spec

    Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reinstall underbody aero panels with all original fasteners and push pins; missing panels affect range and HV battery cooling airflow.
2. Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts in a star pattern.
3. Reconnect the 12V battery in the frunk; reinstall any covers.
4. Power the vehicle on. The air suspension will need to recalibrate — leave Jack Mode and allow the system to self-level. Watch for any 'Suspension service required' alerts on the touchscreen.
5. Drive the vehicle off the lift only after confirming no suspension faults are displayed.

Verification

• Perform a four-wheel alignment — mandatory after any subframe disturbance. Toe, camber, and thrust angle must all be set to Tesla Model X 2024 specification.
• Test drive at low speed first, listening for clunks over bumps that would indicate an unseated bushing or under-torqued bolt.
• Test drive at highway speed and check for steering pull, vibration, or off-center steering wheel.
• Recheck subframe bolt torque after the first 100 miles.
• Check the touchscreen for any suspension, ABS, or stability control faults — clear via Service menu only after confirming the underlying mechanical work is correct.
• Inspect the bushing area for any contact between the subframe and body during full-droop and full-compression air suspension cycles.

More procedures for this vehicle