Replace the front strut top mount (upper bearing assembly) on the 2024 Tesla Roadster. Note: this vehicle is built on a Lotus Elise-derived platform, so chassis fasteners and procedures differ significantly from other Tesla models — confirm specifications against current factory service literature before final torque.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front strut top mount assembly (upper mount with bearing) × 1 — Manufacturer-specified front strut mount for 2024 Roadster — consult Tesla parts catalog
• New ball joint cotter pin × 1 — OEM cotter pin, single-use
• Strut tower nuts (if single-use design) × 3 — Verify with service manual whether nuts are reusable

Preparation

1. TESLA SAFETY PREAMBLE: Park on level ground, place in P (or in gear with parking brake set on manual-equipped early Roadsters), 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 (or 16V/48V on applicable models) low-voltage battery. See architecture notes — Roadster 12V location may differ from other Tesla models; consult service literature.
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 wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
7. Loosen front wheel lug nuts while the vehicle is still on the ground.
8. Raise the front of the vehicle and support it on jack stands at the manufacturer-specified lift points. The Roadster's bonded aluminum chassis has specific lift points — using the wrong location can damage the tub.
9. Remove the front wheel on the side being serviced.
10. Inspect the strut, spring, and surrounding components for damage before disassembly. Mark the strut top orientation and any eccentric/camber adjusters with a paint marker.

Procedure

1. 1

   Access the strut tower
   Open the front trunk/service panel to access the top of the strut tower. Remove any covers, trim, or wiring shields needed to expose the three (or as-equipped) strut tower nuts. Note the position of any brake line brackets or sensor harnesses clipped to the strut body.
2. 2

   Disconnect the sway bar end link
   Locate the sway bar end link at the strut. Hold the link's internal shaft with an Allen key while loosening the nut to prevent the stud from spinning. Remove the link from the strut bracket and swing it clear.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link61 Nm (45 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Disconnect the brake hose and any sensor leads from the strut
   Remove any brake hose retaining clip and ABS/wheel-speed sensor harness clips from the strut body. Support the brake caliper with a hook or strap — do not let it hang by the hose. Move any harnesses clear of the work area.
   ⚠Do not stretch or kink the brake flex hose; damage can cause sudden brake failure.
4. 4

   Separate the strut from the steering knuckle
   Place a jack under the lower control arm to support the knuckle and prevent it from dropping when the strut is freed. Mark the strut-to-knuckle position with a paint marker if any camber adjustment is present at this joint. Remove the strut-to-knuckle bolts. Carefully separate the strut from the knuckle, tapping with a brass or dead-blow mallet only if necessary.
   ⚠Do not let the knuckle/hub assembly fall — it can damage the CV boot, brake hose, or ABS sensor harness.
   Torque spec

   Strut-to-Knuckle Bolts122 Nm (90 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove the strut tower nuts and lower the strut assembly
   Support the strut from below. From the top, remove the strut tower nuts. Carefully lower the entire strut/spring assembly out from the wheel well. The assembly is heavy — use both hands and lower it onto a clean bench.
   ⚠️The spring is preloaded inside the assembly. Do not loosen the center strut shaft nut at this stage.
   Torque spec

   Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Compress the coil spring
   Mount the strut assembly securely. Install an OEM-approved external coil spring compressor with hooks engaged on at least three coils on each side, evenly opposed. Compress the spring slowly and evenly until all preload is removed from the upper mount — verify by attempting to rotate the mount by hand with no resistance.
   ⚠️Verify spring compressor hooks are fully seated and not slipping. A released spring can be fatal.
7. 7

   Remove the strut shaft nut and old top mount
   Hold the strut shaft (typically with a hex or Torx broach in the shaft tip) and loosen the center nut with the appropriate socket. Once the nut is off, remove the old top mount, upper spring seat, bump stop, and dust boot. Note the orientation and stacking order of every component — photograph if needed.
   ⚠If any bump stop or dust boot is degraded, replace it now — these are often serviced together.
8. 8

   Install the new top mount
   Reinstall the dust boot, bump stop, upper spring seat, and the new top mount in the original orientation. Confirm the spring is seated correctly in both upper and lower perches (alignment tabs in the seat must engage the spring end). Install the strut shaft nut and torque to OEM specification — refer to Tesla Service Manual.
9. 9

   Decompress the spring
   Slowly and evenly release the spring compressor, watching that the spring stays seated in both perches and that the top mount aligns properly with its mounting studs. Remove the compressor once tension is fully transferred to the assembly.
10. 10

    Reinstall the strut assembly into the vehicle
    Lift the assembly into the strut tower, guiding the upper studs through the tower holes. Loosely install the strut tower nuts to hold the assembly in place. From below, align the strut to the knuckle (matching paint marks if applicable) and install the strut-to-knuckle bolts hand-tight.
11. 11

    Torque strut fasteners
    Torque the strut tower nuts to spec. Then torque the strut-to-knuckle bolts to spec.
    Torque spec

    Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)

    Strut-to-Knuckle Bolts122 Nm (90 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Reconnect sway bar link, brake hose, and sensor harness
    Reattach the sway bar end link to the strut bracket, holding the shaft with an Allen key while torquing the nut. Reclip the brake hose and ABS/wheel-speed sensor harness to their original locations on the strut.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link61 Nm (45 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reinstall the wheel and snug the lug nuts by hand.
2. Lower the vehicle so the suspension is loaded at normal ride height before final torque on any control arm fasteners that were disturbed.
3. Torque wheel lug nuts in a star pattern to specification.
4. Reinstall any front trunk trim or covers removed for access.
5. Reconnect the 12V low-voltage battery.
6. Allow the vehicle to wake fully and re-initialize before test driving.

Verification

• Confirm steering wheel is centered and tracks straight on a smooth, level road. Any pull or off-center wheel indicates alignment is required.
• Listen for clunks or knocks over bumps — a properly seated top mount will be silent.
• Inspect the strut tower area after a short test drive for any sign of movement, witness marks, or loose fasteners.
• Schedule a four-wheel alignment at a shop with current Tesla Roadster specifications — strut/strut-mount service always disturbs camber and may affect caster.
• Tesla service interval reminder: while servicing the front suspension, this is a good opportunity to inspect brake fluid condition (Tesla recommends brake fluid replacement every 2 years) and verify tire wear (rotation recommended every 6,250 mi).
• Recheck all critical torques after the first 100 miles of driving.

More procedures for this vehicle