suspension
Sway Bar Links - Front Pair
for 2024 Tesla Model X Plaid Tri Motor AWD · AWD
Difficulty
Moderate
Time
48 min
Tools
9
Steps
9
Replace both front sway bar (anti-roll bar) end links on a 2024 Model X Plaid. The procedure requires safely lifting an air-suspension-equipped vehicle and disabling Jack Mode through the touchscreen before service.
Warnings
⚠️DO NOT touch, cut, or pierce any orange high-voltage cable. The HV pack is floor-mounted on Model X — keep all jacking and stand contact at the factory-designated lift points only.
⚠Air suspension is standard on Model X. You MUST enable Jack Mode via Controls → Service → Jack Mode before lifting, otherwise the system will attempt to self-level and can drop the car off the stands.
⚠Falcon doors: keep them closed during service. Do not open them in a confined shop space, and never operate them while the vehicle is on stands — the body flex can mis-calibrate the door sensors.
⚠Aluminum suspension and body components — do not strike with a steel hammer. Use a dead-blow or brass drift if persuasion is required.
ℹ️Sway bar link studs commonly spin when torquing the nut. Hold the internal stud with an Allen/hex key while turning the nut.
Tools required
Floor jack rated for EV weight (Model X curb weight ~5,400 lb)Essential
Jack stands rated 3+ tons (pair)Essential
Tesla-approved jack pad pucks (rubber, to protect rocker pinch welds)Essential
Torque wrench (20–150 Nm range)Essential
Metric socket set (typically 15–21 mm range)Essential
Metric Allen/Hex key set (for holding the link's internal stud)Essential
Open-end or flare wrench set
Penetrating oil
Wheel chocksEssential
Parts
- Front sway bar end link assembly (manufacturer-specified for Model X 2024) × 2 — OEM Tesla front sway bar link — verify by VIN
Preparation
- Park on level ground, place in P, engage parking brake.
- 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.
- Disconnect the 12V low-voltage battery, located in the frunk (similar position to Model S). Remove the frunk liner/access cover as required.
- DO NOT touch, cut, or pierce ANY orange cable — these are high-voltage and lethal.
- 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.
- BEFORE disconnecting 12V: with the vehicle on, enable Jack Mode (Controls → Service → Jack Mode). This raises the suspension to Very High and disables auto-leveling. Then power down and disconnect 12V.
- Chock the rear wheels.
- Loosen front lug nuts while the vehicle is still on the ground.
- Lift the front of the vehicle at the Tesla-designated front jack points using rubber pucks; support on jack stands rated for EV weight.
- Remove both front wheels.
Procedure
- 1Inspect and pre-treat fastenersVisually inspect both front sway bar links and the surrounding strut, control arm, and sway bar bracket area. Apply penetrating oil to the upper and lower link nuts and allow it to soak. Note orientation of any spacers or washers.
- 2Remove driver-side sway bar link upper nutLocate the upper end of the driver-side sway bar link where it attaches to the strut bracket. Insert an Allen/hex key into the center of the link stud to hold it from spinning, and remove the nut with a wrench on the flats of the nut. Set the nut aside.⚠If the stud spins freely and the nut will not break loose, do not heat near the strut — cut the link with a reciprocating saw to avoid damaging the strut bracket.
- 3Remove driver-side sway bar link lower nutRepeat at the lower end of the link where it attaches to the sway bar. Hold the stud with an Allen key and remove the nut. Withdraw the old link from the vehicle.
- 4Compare new link to oldPlace the old link beside the new one. Verify length, stud orientation, ball-joint sweep, and that any included hardware (nuts, washers) matches. Confirm left/right specificity if applicable.ℹ️Some aftermarket links are sold as a pair but are side-specific. Confirm before installing.
- 5Install driver-side new sway bar linkInsert the new link with the lower stud through the sway bar eye and the upper stud through the strut bracket. Hand-thread both nuts (use new nuts if supplied with the link).
- 6Torque driver-side link nutsHold each stud with an Allen key and torque both the upper and lower link nuts to the verified Sway Bar Link Nut specification. Do this with the suspension still unloaded — link nuts are not weight-on-wheels critical, but the bracket and control arm fasteners are (do not disturb them).Torque specSway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
- 7Repeat for passenger sidePerform steps 2 through 6 on the passenger-side front sway bar link.Torque specSway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
- 8Verify sway bar bracket bolts (visual only)While in the area, visually confirm that the sway bar bracket bolts are present and not backed out. Do NOT loosen them. If one is found loose or missing, torque to OEM specification per the Sway Bar Bracket Bolts entry; otherwise leave undisturbed.Torque specSway Bar Bracket Bolts47 Nm (35 lb-ft)
- 9Reinstall wheelsReinstall both front wheels. Snug lug nuts in a star pattern, then lower the vehicle to the ground before final torque. Final torque the lug nuts to OEM specification — refer to Tesla Service Manual.
Reassembly
- Lower the vehicle fully to the ground and remove jack stands.
- Reconnect the 12V battery in the frunk and reinstall the frunk cover/liner.
- Close the frunk.
- Power on the vehicle. Disable Jack Mode (Controls → Service → Jack Mode → off) and allow the air suspension to return to Standard ride height. Wait until self-leveling completes.
- Walk around the vehicle and confirm even ride height front-to-rear and side-to-side.
Verification
- On a smooth road test, listen for clunks over expansion joints and small bumps — a properly installed link is silent.
- Perform a slow figure-eight in a parking lot; body roll should feel symmetrical with no metallic knocking from either front corner.
- Re-check both link nuts after the first 100 miles — hold the stud with an Allen key and verify torque has not relaxed.
- Check the touchscreen for any new suspension or chassis alerts. If a 'Suspension Service Required' or air-suspension fault appears, recheck Jack Mode was properly exited and that ride height has self-calibrated.
- Note: while the vehicle is on stands, this is a good opportunity to inspect the cabin air filter (2-year interval) and brake fluid condition (2-year interval) as these are commonly overdue on Model X despite Tesla's 'no scheduled maintenance' marketing.