Four-wheel alignment on a 2024 Model Y Performance AWD. This Tesla is sensitive to alignment due to instant torque, heavy curb weight, and staggered Performance tires — out-of-spec toe or camber will chew through tires within a few thousand miles.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear adjustable camber bolts (if OEM cam slots are insufficient for spec) × 1 — manufacturer-specified cam bolt kit
• Tie rod jam nuts (replace if seized/damaged during loosening) × 2 — OEM front tie rod jam nut

Preparation

1. Park on level ground (alignment rack), 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. On 2024 Model Y the 12V (Li-ion) is located under the rear seat / front trunk area — refer to current Tesla service documentation for exact location on this 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. Reconnect the 12V before driving onto the alignment rack (vehicle must be powered to roll under its own steering and to read live ride height).
7. Verify all four tires are the correct size, are not unevenly worn, and are inflated to the door-jamb cold spec.
8. Inspect suspension for play: tie rod ends, ball joints, control arm bushings, wheel bearings. Do not align a vehicle with worn components.
9. Top off any missing cargo and confirm a near-empty trunk/frunk to match Tesla's reference loading condition.
10. Bounce the suspension at all four corners to settle ride height before measuring.
11. Roll vehicle onto alignment rack; center steering wheel and install steering wheel holder and brake pedal depressor.

Procedure

1. 1

   Load Tesla Model Y Performance alignment specifications
   On the alignment machine, select the correct year/model/trim — 2024 Model Y Performance AWD. Performance trim has different camber/toe targets than Long Range. Confirm the specs loaded match Tesla's current published service bulletin values, as Tesla has revised Model Y alignment specs multiple times.
2. 2

   Mount targets and perform initial measurement
   Mount alignment heads or targets to all four wheels per the alignment system's procedure. Perform compensation/runout. Take the initial 'as-found' reading and print/save it for the customer record. Compare each value (front/rear camber, caster, toe, thrust angle, SAI) against Tesla spec.
3. 3

   Determine adjustment plan
   On Model Y: rear camber and rear toe are adjustable via cam bolts at the rear lower control arm/upper link inboard mounts. Front toe is adjustable via tie rod length. Front camber and caster are NOT factory-adjustable on Model Y — out-of-spec front camber/caster indicates damage or worn parts and may require aftermarket camber bolts or component replacement. Plan adjustments rear-first, then front toe last.
   ⚠If front camber or caster is out of spec, do NOT force adjustment with non-manufacturer-approved methods. Inspect for bent components.
4. 4

   Adjust rear camber
   Loosen the rear camber cam bolt(s) at the affected corner just enough to allow rotation — do not fully remove. Rotate the cam bolt to bring camber within Tesla spec (typically slight negative camber on Performance). Recheck reading on the alignment machine. Repeat for opposite side.
   Torque spec

   Camber Bolts75 Nm (55 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Adjust rear toe
   Loosen the rear toe cam bolt at the affected corner. Rotate the cam to bring individual rear toe within spec, watching thrust angle simultaneously — both sides may need iterative adjustment to keep thrust angle near zero. Recheck on the alignment machine.
   ⚠Thrust angle out of spec causes 'dog tracking' and rapid rear tire wear — verify before final torque.
   Torque spec

   Cam Bolts129 Nm (95 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Final torque rear cam/camber bolts
   Once rear camber and toe are within spec on both sides, hold each cam bolt with a wrench to prevent rotation and final-torque the nut to specification. Re-measure after torquing — torquing can shift readings 0.05–0.10°. Re-adjust if needed.
   ⚠️Cam Bolts and Camber Bolts are CRITICAL fasteners. Under-torque can allow the suspension geometry to walk, causing instability.
   Torque spec

   Cam Bolts129 Nm (95 lb-ft)

   Camber Bolts75 Nm (55 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Center steering wheel
   With the steering wheel holder installed and the wheel physically centered (use Tesla's service display steering angle if available, or visual centering of the spokes), prepare to set front toe by adjusting tie rod length equally on both sides.
8. 8

   Adjust front toe
   Loosen the tie rod jam nut on each front tie rod. Rotate the inner tie rod to lengthen/shorten as needed to bring individual front toe within spec, keeping both sides equal so the steering wheel remains centered. Apply penetrating oil if jam nuts are stiff — do not heat (proximity to boots and HV pack).
   ⚠Do not twist the tie rod boot — hold the inner tie rod with a wrench while turning. A torn boot will require inner tie rod replacement.
   Torque spec

   Tie Rod Jam Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Final torque front tie rod jam nuts and lock nuts
   Once front toe is in spec and steering wheel is centered, hold the inner tie rod stationary and torque the jam nut to spec. If the design uses a separate lock nut at the outer tie rod end, torque that as well. Re-measure toe — re-adjust if torquing shifted the reading.
   ⚠️Tie Rod Jam Nuts and Tie Rod Lock Nut are CRITICAL fasteners. A loose tie rod nut can allow toe to walk to full lock, causing immediate loss of steering control.
   Torque spec

   Tie Rod Jam Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)

   Tie Rod Lock Nut68 Nm (50 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Final 'as-left' measurement
    Remove the steering wheel holder and brake pedal depressor. Bounce the suspension at all four corners. Take a final alignment reading and confirm all values are within Tesla spec. Print/save the as-left report for the customer.
11. 11

    Reinstall any removed wheel liners or covers
    If any aero covers, splash shields, or sensor brackets were removed for access, reinstall now. Torque any fasteners encountered to OEM specification — refer to Tesla Service Manual for items not on the verified torque list above.
    Torque spec

    Bracket Bolts20 Nm (15 lb-ft)

    Cover Screws11 Nm (8 lb-ft)

    Sensor Bolts11 Nm (8 lb-ft)

    Mounting Bolts27 Nm (20 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Roll vehicle off the alignment rack onto level ground.
2. Verify steering wheel position with wheels straight — should be level/centered within 1°.
3. Reset trip data if desired via the touchscreen.
4. Hand the customer the before/after alignment printouts.

Verification

• On a flat, straight road at 35–45 mph hands-light on the wheel: vehicle should track straight with no pull. Slight crown drift is acceptable.
• Steering wheel should be centered when driving straight — if offset, return to the rack and re-set front toe equally (do not 'clock' the steering wheel).
• No new warning messages on the touchscreen related to steering, traction control, or Autopilot. Model Y's cameras rely on a properly aligned chassis for lane-keeping accuracy — if Autopilot reports a calibration fault after alignment, a camera recalibration drive (or Tesla Toolbox calibration) may be required. STOP and consult a Tesla-certified technician if the fault persists.
• Re-check tire pressures cold and reset the TPMS baseline via the touchscreen Service menu.
• Reminder for the owner: rotate tires every ~6,250 miles on this Performance AWD — staggered 21" tires can be cross-rotated front-to-rear on the same side only. Heavy curb weight and instant torque accelerate wear; a fresh alignment is wasted if rotation is neglected.
• Recommend re-checking alignment after the first 1,000 miles if any cam bolts were close to their adjustment limit, or if new suspension parts were installed.

More procedures for this vehicle