Replace the rear trailing arm (fore link) bushing on a 2024 Model Y Long Range AWD. The bushing isolates the trailing arm at the body mount and is a common wear/NVH item on heavy Tesla platforms.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Trailing arm bushing (manufacturer-specified for 2024 Model Y rear suspension) × 1 — OEM Tesla rear trailing arm bushing — verify by VIN
• Suspension bolts (replace if corroded or stretch-spec) × 1 — OEM specification — refer to Tesla Service Manual

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 behind/under the rear seat area on Model Y — see service manual for exact 2024 location). This prevents air suspension/ride-height system errors and accidental wake events while the vehicle is on stands.
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. Place the vehicle into Jack/Transport Mode via the touchscreen BEFORE disconnecting 12V if possible (this disables auto-leveling routines on suspension-equipped trims and prevents wake-up).
7. Chock the front wheels.
8. Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts while the vehicle is on the ground.
9. Identify Tesla-approved rear lift points (reinforced pinch-weld pads with puck adapters). Never lift on the HV battery enclosure.
10. Raise the rear of the vehicle and support on jack stands rated for EV weight. Remove the rear wheel on the affected side.

Procedure

1. 1

   Inspect and document
   With the wheel removed, inspect the trailing arm, its body-side bushing, and surrounding suspension links. Photograph the orientation and alignment marks on the trailing arm body bracket — these will be used at reinstallation. Confirm the failure point is the bushing and not the arm itself.
2. 2

   Support the rear knuckle
   Place a jack under the rear knuckle/lower control arm assembly and raise it to simulate ride height. This unloads the trailing arm and prevents the knuckle from dropping when the trailing arm bolt is removed. Keep the jack in place throughout disassembly.
   ⚠Do not let the rear knuckle hang on the half-shaft or brake hose — both can be damaged.
3. 3

   Disconnect parking brake / brake line clips if needed
   Some routing on Model Y rear suspension uses clips on the trailing arm for the parking brake actuator harness or brake hose. Release any clips that would be stressed when the arm is removed. Do not disconnect the hydraulic brake line.
4. 4

   Remove trailing arm body-side bolt
   Locate the trailing arm forward (body-side) mounting bolt, which passes through the bushing into the body bracket. Apply penetrating oil if corroded. Mark the bolt/cam orientation for alignment reference. Remove the nut and bolt. Save the hardware for inspection.
   ⚠If the bolt has an eccentric/cam washer for alignment adjustment, mark its position precisely before removal.
5. 5

   Remove trailing arm knuckle-side fastener
   Remove the rear (knuckle-side) trailing arm fastener so the arm can be withdrawn from the vehicle. Support the arm by hand as the fastener releases.
6. 6

   Remove trailing arm
   Maneuver the trailing arm out of the vehicle. Place it on a clean bench. Inspect the arm for cracks, corrosion, or deformation — Model Y rear trailing arms are stamped/cast and must be replaced if damaged, not repaired.
7. 7

   Press out old bushing
   Using a hydraulic press with appropriately sized receivers, press the old bushing out of the trailing arm eye. Note the original bushing orientation (voids/arrows often indexed to a specific direction). If the bushing has a directional indicator, the new bushing must be installed in the same orientation.
   ⚠Aluminum trailing arm eyes can crack if the bushing is hammered out. Always use a press.
8. 8

   Clean and inspect the bushing bore
   Clean the bushing bore with a non-abrasive solvent. Inspect for cracks, ovality, or galling. Light corrosion can be polished; structural damage means the trailing arm must be replaced.
9. 9

   Press in new bushing
   Press the new manufacturer-specified bushing into the trailing arm in the correct orientation. Press evenly on the outer sleeve only — never on the rubber or inner sleeve. Confirm the bushing is fully seated and centered.
10. 10

    Reinstall trailing arm
    Position the trailing arm back into the vehicle. Insert the body-side bolt and the knuckle-side fastener with any cam/eccentric washers in their marked original positions. Hand-tighten only at this stage — final torque is done at ride height.
    ⚠Do NOT final-torque the trailing arm bolts with the suspension hanging — bushing pre-load will be incorrect and lead to premature failure.
11. 11

    Reattach harness/brake clips
    Reseat any parking brake harness clips or brake line retainers that were released. Verify the brake hose and parking brake cable have no tension or rub points through full suspension travel.
12. 12

    Reinstall wheel and lower vehicle
    Mount the rear wheel and snug the lug nuts. Lower the vehicle until the full vehicle weight is on the wheels (suspension at ride height).
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts136 Nm (100 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Final torque at ride height
    With vehicle weight on the wheels, final-torque the trailing arm fasteners to specification. This sets the new bushing at neutral pre-load. Use the verified Control Arm Bolts torque spec for the trailing arm bolts unless the Tesla Service Manual specifies otherwise for this specific fastener — verify in the manual before final torque.
    ⚠If the Tesla Service Manual lists a different value for the trailing arm body bolt specifically, use that — torque to OEM specification.
    Torque spec

    Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
14. 14

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

    Wheel Lug Nuts136 Nm (100 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Confirm all fasteners removed have been reinstalled and torqued.
2. Reconnect the 12V low-voltage battery.
3. Wake the vehicle and clear any chassis/suspension faults from the touchscreen.
4. Exit Jack/Transport Mode if it was activated.
5. Have the rear alignment checked and adjusted — trailing arm service affects rear toe and thrust angle.

Verification

• Roll the vehicle forward and back several feet and re-check trailing arm bolt torque.
• Test drive at low speed first, listening for clunks or knocks from the rear on bumps and during braking.
• At highway speed, verify the rear tracks straight and there is no vibration or pull.
• Visually re-inspect the new bushing after the test drive — there should be no contact between the rubber and the body bracket walls and no shifting of the outer sleeve.
• Schedule a four-wheel alignment if not already performed — Model Y rear toe is sensitive and uncorrected misalignment will rapidly wear tires (Tesla recommends rotation every 6,250 mi on this platform; misalignment will accelerate that further).
• Note: while the vehicle is on the lift, this is a good opportunity to check rear drive unit gear oil service interval (Tesla now recommends ~12,500 mi initial then 25,000–50,000 mi) and brake fluid age (2-year replacement interval).

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