suspension

Lower Control Arm - Front

for 2024 Tesla Model Y Performance Dual Motor AWD · AWD

Difficulty

Moderate

Time

2.0 h

Tools

Steps

Replacement of a front lower control arm on a 2024 Model Y Performance AWD. The control arm pivot bolts must be final-torqued at ride height to preserve bushing life and alignment geometry.

Warnings

⚠️Model Y curb weight exceeds 4,400 lb. Use jack stands rated accordingly and lift only at Tesla-designated pinch-weld pad locations using a proper puck — lifting elsewhere will crush the battery pack enclosure or rocker.

⚠️Do NOT touch, cut, or pierce any orange cable. The HV pack runs the length of the floor directly above your work area.

⚠Many Tesla suspension and subframe components are aluminum. Do not strike with a steel hammer; use a dead-blow and avoid prying against cast aluminum surfaces.

⚠Control arm pivot bolts MUST be final-torqued with the suspension loaded at ride height. Torquing at full droop will pre-load the bushings and cause premature failure.

ℹ️An alignment is required after this repair. The Model Y is sensitive to toe and camber settings — uneven tire wear is already a known issue.

Tools required

Floor jack (3-ton minimum)Essential

Jack stands (rated for EV curb weight)Essential

Torque wrench, 1/2" drive (up to 200 Nm)Essential

Torque wrench, 3/8" drive (10-100 Nm)Essential

Metric socket set (deep and shallow)Essential

Metric combination wrench setEssential

Allen/hex key set (for ball joint stud counter-hold if equipped)Essential

Ball joint separator / pickle fork or tie-rod pullerEssential

Breaker barEssential

Dead-blow or rubber mallet

Jack pad / puck for Tesla pinch-weld lift pointsEssential

Pry bar

Wire ties / mechanic's wire (to support brake hose / wiring)

Parts

Front lower control arm assembly (LH or RH as required) × 1 — Tesla Model Y front LCA — order by VIN
Ball joint castle nut / pinch bolt hardware (if not reusable per OEM) × 1 — Manufacturer-specified single-use fastener if applicable
Control arm pivot bolts/nuts (if specified single-use) × 2 — Manufacturer-specified — verify reuse policy

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 behind/under the rear seat area on this 2024 Model Y). Follow Tesla's documented disconnect sequence and wait the prescribed time before continuing.
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.
Place the vehicle in Jack Mode via the touchscreen (Service menu) before lifting to disable self-leveling logic and prevent fault codes.
Loosen the front wheel lug nuts while the vehicle is on the ground.
Lift the front of the vehicle only at Tesla-designated jack pad locations using a proper puck. Support on jack stands rated for EV weight.
Remove the front wheel on the affected side.
Inspect the new control arm against the old one to confirm correct side and bushing orientation.

Procedure

1
Remove front underbody aero panel (if required for access)
Remove the plastic fasteners and bolts securing the front underbody aero shield to access the lower control arm pivot bolts. Set hardware aside in order.
Torque spec
Mounting Bolts27 Nm (20 lb-ft)
2
Disconnect the sway bar end link from the strut/control arm assembly
Hold the ball stud with an Allen key to prevent rotation, then remove the sway bar end link nut. Swing the link out of the way. Inspect the link for play; replace if loose.
⚠Do not use an impact gun without holding the stud — it will spin the ball stud and destroy the link.
Torque spec
Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
3
Support the steering knuckle / hub assembly
Place a transmission jack or secondary jack stand under the steering knuckle to support its weight before separating the ball joint. Do not allow the knuckle to hang on the brake hose or wheel speed sensor harness.
⚠The brake hose and ABS sensor harness are short on the Model Y front corner. Support the knuckle to avoid tearing them.
4
Separate the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle
Remove the ball joint nut (or pinch bolt, depending on the corner design used by the OEM on this vehicle). Use a ball joint separator to release the tapered stud from the knuckle. Avoid hammering on aluminum.
⚠If hardware is specified as single-use by the manufacturer, replace it. Do not reuse stretched bolts.
Torque spec
Ball Joint Nut88 Nm (65 lb-ft)
5
Remove the lower control arm pivot bolts
Support the control arm. Remove the front and rear pivot bolts/nuts securing the control arm to the front subframe. Note the orientation of any cam/eccentric washers if present and mark their position before removal to aid pre-alignment.
ℹ️Even with marked positions, a professional alignment is still required after reassembly.
Torque spec
Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
6
Remove the lower control arm
Maneuver the old control arm down and out of the subframe. Inspect the subframe mounting points for cracks, deformation, or corrosion before installing the new arm.
7
Install the new lower control arm
Position the new control arm into the subframe. Hand-thread both pivot bolts/nuts (replacing single-use hardware if specified). Do NOT final-torque yet — leave snug only.
⚠Final torque on bushing pivot bolts must occur at ride height — see reassembly steps.
8
Reconnect the ball joint to the steering knuckle
Insert the ball joint stud into the knuckle. Install the ball joint nut (new if specified). Hold the stud as needed to prevent rotation while torquing.
Torque spec
Ball Joint Nut88 Nm (65 lb-ft)
9
Reconnect the sway bar end link
Reinstall the sway bar link nut, holding the stud with an Allen key. Torque to specification.
Torque spec
Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)

Reassembly

Reinstall the front underbody aero panel and all clips/bolts; missing aero panels reduce range and can flap loose at highway speed.
Reinstall the front wheel. Torque lug nuts in a star pattern to specification (Wheel Lug Nuts: 136 Nm / 100 lb-ft).
Lower the vehicle so full curb weight rests on the wheels at normal ride height.
With the vehicle at ride height, final-torque the lower control arm pivot bolts (Control Arm Bolts: 165 Nm / 122 lb-ft). This is critical — torquing at droop will damage the bushings.
Reconnect the 12V low-voltage battery.
Exit Jack Mode. Power on the vehicle and clear any suspension/ABS fault codes that set during the repair.
Drive the vehicle directly to an alignment rack — do NOT delay alignment, as toe is almost certainly off after a control arm replacement.

Verification

Confirm no suspension, ABS, or stability control faults are active on the touchscreen after a short test drive.
Perform a four-wheel alignment and verify all front readings are within Tesla specification. Save the printout.
After 100-200 miles, re-inspect the ball joint nut and pivot bolts for any movement or loosening.
Inspect the new control arm bushings for any signs of preload, twisting, or tearing — indicates the pivot bolts were torqued at the wrong ride height.
Reminder: Tesla recommends tire rotation every 6,250 miles on Model Y due to high wear rates — note current mileage and schedule the next rotation.
Reminder: brake fluid service is due every 2 years on this vehicle regardless of mileage; verify it is current while the wheels are off.