Tesla Model S: Remove Front Drive Unit
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Position the support jack on top of the front
crossmember and secure the 2 screws to the front crossmember.
The support jack mounts to the bolt holes on top of the front
crossmember that secured the coolant reservoir.
-
Fully lower both mounts of the support jack.
The next 2 steps explain how to position the straps underneath the front
drive unit in order to remove it with the support jack. Work from the
underhood area while an assistant works from the LH wheelwell.
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Position the LH strap:
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Slide the strap between the LH motor mount
and the front drive unit.
-
Have the assistant slide the strap inward,
as close to the differential housing as possible.
Caution:
Ensure that there are no coolant hoses between the
strap and the front drive unit.
-
Reach behind the front crossmember and pull
the strap up and over the top of the support jack.
-
Secure the two ends of the strap with the
carabiner.
-
Slide the strap so that the carabiner is
approximately 6 in (152 mm) above the front crossmember.
Work from the underhood area while an assistant works from the RH
wheelwell
-
Position the RH strap:
-
Lower one end of the strap over the top of
the support jack and behind the front crossmember.
-
Have the assistant position the strap
underneath the drive unit, as close to the differential housing
as possible.
Caution: Ensure
that there are no coolant hoses between the strap
and the front drive unit.
-
Reach beneath the drive unit and pull the
strap upwards.
-
Secure the two ends of the strap with the
carabiner.
-
Slide the strap so that the carabiner is
approximately 6 inches above the front crossmember.
-
Raise the support jack until both straps are
fully taut.
Caution: Ensure that both
straps are completely taut before continuing.
-
Release the ground strap unit from the drive
unit (torque 6 Nm).
-
Raise the vehicle to access the LH wheelwell.
-
Release the 2 bolts that secure the LH side
motor mount to the body (torque 50 Nm).
-
Disconnect the 3 electrical harnesses from the
steering rack.
-
Position the steering rack protector over the
plastic housing on the LH side of the steering rack.
Caution: Ensure that
the steering rack protector completely covers the plastic
housing before continuing.
-
Remove the 3 bolts that secure the motor to the
LH motor mount (torque 38 Nm):
-
Raise the vehicle to access the LH
wheelwell.
-
Use a deep socket to release the rear bolt.
-
Lower the vehicle.
-
Working from the underhood area, release
the front 2 bolts.
-
Remove the LH motor mount from the vehicle.
-
Use a driveshaft extractor to remove the LH
halfshaft.
Tip: The halfshaft might
be difficult to remove. If necessary:
-
Strike the free end of the driveshaft extractor
with a deadblow hammer.
-
Grip the free end of the extractor with a pair of
pliers to provide additional leverage.
-
Loosen the LH bolt on the support jack to release
tension on the strap, then have an assistant rotate the
shaft from the wheelwell. Immediately tighten the strap
on the support jack.
-
Secure the tilt-lift extension to the crane.
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Set the crane to the 1.5 ton mark.
-
Secure the crane to the front drive unit at the
locations shown.
Warning: Ensure that the
support jack is secured to the front crossmember and that both
straps are completely taut before continuing. After this step, the
entire weight of the drive unit will be supported by the support
jack.
-
Release the 4 bolts that secure the motor to
the RH mount:
Note: Not
all 4 bolts can be completely removed. Loosen the bolts so
that the motor is not secured to the motor mount. The RH
motor mount is not removed in this procedure.
-
Working from the underhood area, remove the
front upper bolt.
-
Working from the underhood area, release
the front lower bolt.
Note:
This bolt cannot be fully removed; it is retained
inside the mount threads during removal.
-
Working from the RH wheelwell, remove the
rear upper bolt.
-
Working from the RH wheelwell, release the
rear lower bolt.
Note: This
bolt cannot be fully removed; it is retained inside
the mount threads during removal.
-
Raise the motor until the top of the heat
dissipater is approximately 10 mm beneath the front crossmember.
-
Slowly raise the crane while rotating the RH
side of the motor toward the LH side of the vehicle.
Caution: Do not
damage the steering rack.
-
Once the motor is approximately halfway out of
the vehicle, disconnect the electrical harness from coolant pump 4.
Note: The coolant
hose, pump, and bracket are removed with the motor.
-
Continue removing the motor; alternate between
raising the crane and lowering the support jack.
-
Once the differential has cleared the steering
rack, remove the straps from the motor so that it is supported
entirely by the crane.
-
Remove the motor from the vehicle.
READ NEXT:
Installation
Use alcohol wipes to clean the mating surfaces
between the RH motor mount and drive unit.
Ensure that the support jack is secured to the
front crossmember.
Note: If possible, use the
"From Below" procedure to remove and replace the front drive unit
(refer to procedure).
Removal
Remove the front drive unit
(refer to procedure).
Transfer Compo
SEE MORE:
Removal
Remove glove box assembly (refer to procedure)
Remove screws (x3) securing latch release module to glove box
assembly.
Remove latch module from glove box.
Autosteer is currently unavailable. This could be a temporary condition due
to external conditions that include:
Missing or faded lane markers
Narrow or winding roads
Poor visibility due to rain, snow, fog, or other weather conditions
Extremely hot or cold temperatures
Bright light due to oth