Replace the front sway bar (anti-roll bar) on a 2024 Tesla Roadster. Note: this vehicle's front suspension architecture is largely derived from the Lotus Elise platform, so many fasteners and bushings follow Lotus conventions rather than typical Tesla service patterns.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front sway bar (anti-roll bar) × 1 — Manufacturer-specified front sway bar for 2024 Roadster
• Sway bar bushings × 2 — OEM bushing set matching new bar diameter
• Sway bar end links × 2 — Replace if worn — OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park on level ground, place transmission in P (or in gear with clutch disengaged on manual-equipped early units), and engage the parking brake.
2. Exit ALL doors with the key fob carried 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. Refer to the Tesla Service Manual for the Roadster's specific LV battery location, as this vehicle's layout differs significantly from other Tesla models.
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. Chock the rear wheels.
7. Loosen front wheel lug nuts while the vehicle is still on the ground.
8. Raise the front of the vehicle using only manufacturer-designated lift points and support on jack stands. The aluminum chassis WILL deform if jacked at an unapproved point.
9. Remove both front wheels.
10. If equipped, remove the front belly pan / aero tray to access the sway bar. Retain all fasteners and note their locations.

Procedure

1. 1

   Inspect and photograph the sway bar assembly
   Before disturbing anything, photograph the sway bar, end link orientation, bushing position, and any routing of nearby lines or harnesses. The Lotus-derived front structure is tightly packaged; reference photos will save time on reassembly.
2. 2

   Disconnect the sway bar end links from the sway bar
   At each end of the sway bar, hold the end link's internal shaft with an Allen/hex key while loosening the nut with a wrench. This prevents the ball stud from spinning. Remove both end link nuts and separate the links from the sway bar. Inspect the end links for play, torn boots, or bent shafts and replace if any are found.
   ⚠Do not grip the ball stud shaft with pliers — scoring the shaft will destroy the seal and cause premature failure.
   Torque spec

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

   Support the sway bar
   Place a transmission jack or have an assistant support the sway bar before removing the brackets. The bar is not heavy but can fall awkwardly into surrounding components.
4. 4

   Remove the sway bar bracket bolts
   Unbolt the two sway bar mounting brackets (D-brackets) from the chassis. Note bolt length and any spacers — keep them organized by location. On this Lotus-derived front structure, the brackets thread into the chassis subframe; do not cross-thread on reinstallation.
   ⚠If a bracket bolt feels seized, apply penetrating oil and back it out slowly. Stripping an aluminum thread on this chassis is an expensive repair.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Bracket Bolts47 Nm (35 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove the sway bar from the vehicle
   Maneuver the sway bar out of the front subframe area, taking care not to scrape against painted surfaces, brake lines, or any wiring. Depending on packaging, the bar may need to be rotated and angled to clear surrounding suspension components.
   ⚠️Verify no orange HV cabling, coolant lines, or sensor harnesses are routed through your removal path. Stop if you encounter anything orange.
6. 6

   Transfer or replace bushings
   Slide the old bushings off the bar (or split the new bushings, if of the split design) and install fresh bushings in the correct orientation. Use only the rubber-safe lubricant specified by the bushing manufacturer — never petroleum grease, which will swell and degrade the rubber.
7. 7

   Install the new sway bar
   Position the new sway bar in the chassis with the bushings correctly seated. Loosely install both bracket bolts on each side — do not torque yet. Ensure the bar is centered side-to-side.
8. 8

   Reconnect the end links to the sway bar
   Thread the end link nuts onto the studs by hand to avoid cross-threading. Hold the stud with an Allen/hex key and torque each nut to specification.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link61 Nm (45 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Torque the sway bar bracket bolts
   With the bar centered and end links connected, torque the bracket bolts evenly in a cross pattern to the verified specification.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Bracket Bolts47 Nm (35 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reinstall the front belly pan / aero tray with all original fasteners, ensuring no fastener is omitted (aero tray loss at speed has been a known issue on Lotus-platform vehicles).
2. Reinstall both front wheels and snug the lug nuts.
3. Lower the vehicle to the ground.
4. Torque the wheel lug nuts in a star pattern to specification.
5. Reconnect the 12V/LV battery in the correct order (positive first, then negative ground last) and reinstall any covers.
6. Allow vehicle electronics to wake and complete any self-checks before driving.

Verification

• With the vehicle on the ground, push down firmly on each front corner — the suspension should compress and return smoothly with no clunks from the sway bar area.
• Check that both bushings are seated squarely in their brackets and not pinched or rolled.
• Verify both end link nuts are fully torqued and that boots are intact.
• Take the vehicle on a slow test drive on a quiet road. Listen for clunks over bumps and during gentle steering inputs — a properly installed sway bar produces no noise.
• After the first 50–100 miles, re-check the sway bar bracket bolts and end link nut torques; bushings can settle slightly.
• Note: While performing front-end work, this is a good opportunity to inspect brake fluid condition (Tesla recommends replacement every 2 years regardless of mileage) and check tire wear pattern (Tesla recommends rotation every ~6,250 miles).

More procedures for this vehicle