Replacement of a front upper control arm on a 2024 Model Y Performance AWD. The Model Y front suspension uses an aluminum upper control arm that bolts to the strut tower and connects to the steering knuckle via a ball joint.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front Upper Control Arm Assembly (Model Y, side-specific) × 1 — Tesla OEM front upper control arm — verify left/right by VIN
• Ball joint nut (if not reusable per OEM spec) × 1 — Manufacturer-specified self-locking nut

Preparation

1. Park on level ground, place in P, engage parking brake.
2. Exit ALL doors with 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. On 2024 Model Y the 12V/LV battery is located behind/under the rear seat area — refer to the service manual for exact access on your 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. Loosen the front wheel lug nuts on the affected side while the vehicle is on the ground.
7. Lift the vehicle ONLY at Tesla-designated front jack pad locations using rubber pucks. Support on rated jack stands.
8. Remove the front wheel on the affected side.
9. Verify which side (LH/RH) upper control arm is being replaced — they are not interchangeable.

Procedure

1. 1

   Inspect and document
   Inspect the upper control arm, ball joint boot, bushings, and surrounding components. Photograph the orientation of the arm, bolt directions, and any alignment cam markings before disassembly.
2. 2

   Support the lower control arm / knuckle
   Place a floor jack under the lower control arm or knuckle to support the suspension assembly. This prevents the strut/knuckle from dropping under spring load when the upper ball joint is released.
   ⚠Do NOT place the jack under the HV battery enclosure or any orange-cable conduit.
3. 3

   Disconnect sway bar end link (if required for access)
   If access requires it, loosen the sway bar end link nut. Hold the inner shaft with an Allen key while loosening the nut to prevent the stud from spinning.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Separate the upper ball joint from the knuckle
   Loosen and remove the upper ball joint nut. Separate the ball joint stud from the steering knuckle using a proper ball joint separator. Do not strike the aluminum knuckle directly.
   ⚠Aluminum knuckle — use a separator tool, not a pickle fork hammered with force, to avoid damaging the knuckle bore.
   Torque spec

   Ball Joint Nut88 Nm (65 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove upper control arm from strut tower / chassis mount
   Remove the fasteners securing the upper control arm to the chassis/strut tower. Note the orientation, washer placement, and any alignment shims or cams. Withdraw the arm from the vehicle.
   Torque spec

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

   Compare new arm to old
   Place the new control arm next to the old unit. Confirm geometry, bushing orientation, ball joint location, and side (LH vs RH) match exactly before installation.
7. 7

   Install new upper control arm to chassis
   Position the new arm into the chassis/strut tower mounting points. Install the mounting bolts hand-tight only at this stage — final torque will be applied with the suspension loaded.
8. 8

   Reconnect ball joint to knuckle
   Insert the ball joint stud into the knuckle. Install a new self-locking nut if specified by the manufacturer. Torque to specification, holding the stud with an Allen key if it spins.
   Torque spec

   Ball Joint Nut88 Nm (65 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Reconnect sway bar end link (if disconnected)
   Reattach the sway bar end link, holding the inner shaft with an Allen key while torquing the nut.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Reinstall wheel and lower vehicle
    Mount the front wheel and snug the lug nuts. Lower the vehicle so full weight is on the suspension before final control arm torque.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts136 Nm (100 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Final torque control arm bolts at ride height
    With the vehicle's full weight on the wheels (suspension at normal ride height), final-torque the upper control arm-to-chassis bolts. This prevents the bushings from being preloaded in the wrong position, which causes premature failure.
    ⚠CRITICAL: Bushing bolts torqued at full droop will tear the bushing during normal driving.
    Torque spec

    Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
12. 12

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

    Wheel Lug Nuts136 Nm (100 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reconnect the 12V low-voltage battery.
2. Close all doors and allow the vehicle to wake; verify no chassis or stability control faults appear on the center display.
3. Reset tire pressures via the touchscreen if a TPMS warning appears.
4. Drive to an alignment shop — a four-wheel alignment is mandatory after upper control arm replacement on the Model Y.

Verification

• Confirm no clunks, knocks, or steering wander on a slow-speed test drive (parking lot figure-eights and over speed bumps).
• Check the touchscreen for any chassis, ABS, or stability control alerts.
• Verify ball joint boot is intact and seated after final torque.
• Inspect for clearance between the arm and surrounding components at full steering lock both directions.
• Have a four-wheel alignment performed — Model Y is known to wear tires aggressively, and Tesla's recommended tire rotation interval is every 6,250 miles. Schedule the next rotation accordingly.
• Recheck control arm chassis bolt torque after the first 100-200 miles.

More procedures for this vehicle