Replacement of a front tie rod assembly (inner and outer) on a 2024 Model Y Performance AWD. A four-wheel alignment is mandatory after this repair due to the Model Y's heavy curb weight and aggressive tire wear characteristics.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Tie rod assembly (inner + outer) — manufacturer-specified for Model Y Performance × 1 — Refer to Tesla parts catalog for 2024 Model Y Performance front tie rod assembly
• Castle nut cotter pin × 1 — OEM-spec cotter pin sized for tie rod end castle nut
• Tie rod boot clamps (if not supplied with assembly) × 2 — OEM-spec inner boot clamps

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 under the rear seat / behind frunk trim depending on production date — refer to in-car service mode for exact location on this 2024 build).
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 in Service Mode via the touchscreen (Controls > Service > Service Mode) before powering down — this disables auto-leveling and pedestrian warning during lift.
7. Loosen front lug nuts while the vehicle is on the ground.
8. Lift the front of the vehicle using only Tesla-approved lift points with rubber pucks; support on jack stands rated for EV weight.
9. Remove the front wheel on the affected side.
10. Photograph the existing tie rod orientation and measure exposed inner-rod thread length to preserve toe setting roughly during reassembly.

Procedure

1. 1

   Mark thread reference on inner tie rod
   Before loosening anything, use a paint marker to mark the position of the lock nut on the inner tie rod threads. Count and record the number of exposed threads. This gives you a baseline toe setting to drive safely to the alignment shop.
2. 2

   Remove cotter pin and castle nut from outer tie rod end
   Straighten and remove the cotter pin from the outer tie rod end at the steering knuckle. Discard the cotter pin — it must be replaced with new. Loosen and remove the castle nut.
   ⚠Never reuse a cotter pin on a steering component.
   Torque spec

   Tie Rod End Castle Nut55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Separate outer tie rod end from steering knuckle
   Use a screw-type tie rod separator or ball joint puller to release the tapered stud from the aluminum steering knuckle. Avoid pickle-fork tools if you intend to reuse any boot, and do not strike the aluminum knuckle directly with a steel hammer.
   ⚠Aluminum knuckle — striking it can crack the casting. Use a controlled puller.
4. 4

   Loosen jam/lock nut
   If replacing only the outer tie rod end, loosen the lock nut against the inner rod and count rotations as you spin the outer end off. If replacing the full assembly (inner + outer), the lock nut comes off with the outer end.
   Torque spec

   Tie Rod Lock Nut68 Nm (50 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Release inner tie rod boot
   Slide back or cut off the outer boot clamp and then the inner boot clamp on the steering rack. Carefully peel the rubber boot back to expose the inner tie rod-to-rack joint. Inspect the boot for tears — replace if damaged.
6. 6

   Remove inner tie rod from steering rack
   Hold the steering rack shaft with a wrench on its flats (do NOT clamp the rack housing in a vise or pliers). Using an inner tie rod socket or crowfoot, unscrew the inner tie rod counter-clockwise from the rack. Note any shims or washers and retain them.
   ⚠Do not rotate or grip the steering rack housing itself — distortion will damage the EPS rack.
7. 7

   Install new inner tie rod
   Apply a small amount of thread locker if specified by the new part's instructions (otherwise dry). Thread the new inner tie rod into the rack by hand, then torque to OEM specification — refer to Tesla Service Manual for the inner tie rod-to-rack torque (this is not in the verified torque list, do not guess).
   ⚠Inner tie rod-to-rack torque is not in the verified database — look up the exact spec before final tightening.
8. 8

   Reinstall boot and clamps
   Seat the rack boot onto its grooves on the rack housing and inner tie rod. Install new clamps. Ensure the boot is not twisted — a twisted boot will tear within months and contaminate the rack.
9. 9

   Install lock nut and outer tie rod end
   Thread the lock nut onto the inner rod, then thread on the new outer tie rod end. Adjust the outer end so the exposed thread count matches your pre-removal measurement — this preserves a near-factory toe setting for driving to alignment. Do NOT final-torque the lock nut yet; it gets torqued after alignment.
10. 10

    Reattach outer tie rod end to steering knuckle
    Insert the tapered stud into the steering knuckle. Install the castle nut and torque to spec. Align the slot with the stud's hole — only tighten further (never loosen) to align — and install a NEW cotter pin. Bend the legs of the cotter pin to lock it.
    ⚠️If the castle slot won't align with the cotter pin hole at spec, tighten slightly more — never back off. A loose tie rod nut can cause loss of steering.
    Torque spec

    Tie Rod End Castle Nut55 Nm (41 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reinstall the front wheel; snug lug nuts in a star pattern.
2. Lower the vehicle to the ground.
3. Final-torque the wheel lug nuts in a star pattern.
4. Reconnect the 12V low-voltage battery.
5. Exit Service Mode via the touchscreen.
6. After completing a four-wheel alignment, return and final-torque the tie rod lock nut to spec while holding the outer end stationary.

Verification

• With the wheels straight ahead, verify the steering wheel is centered. If it is significantly off-center, alignment is required before driving any meaningful distance.
• Drive slowly in a parking lot and confirm there is no clunk, looseness, or pull during gentle steering inputs.
• Schedule a four-wheel alignment IMMEDIATELY — Model Y tires wear extremely fast when toe is off, and Tesla recommends tire rotation every 6,250 miles to manage this.
• After alignment, confirm the tie rod lock nut has been torqued to the verified spec and is marked.
• Check the steering rack boot for proper seating and that it is not twisted — re-inspect after the first drive.
• If the vehicle displays an EPS or steering-related alert on the touchscreen, a steering angle sensor calibration via Tesla service tooling may be required — consult a Tesla-certified technician.

More procedures for this vehicle