2025-05-30

Knuckle - Suspension - Rear - LH (Remove and Replace)

Correction code 31030102 0.96 NOTE: Unless otherwise explicitly stated in the procedure, the above correction code and FRT reflect all of the work required to perform this procedure, including the linked procedures. Do not stack correction codes unless explicitly told to do so. NOTE: See Flat Rate Times to learn more about FRTs and how they are created. To provide feedback on FRT values, email ServiceManualFeedback@tesla.com. NOTE: See Personal Protection to make sure wearing proper PPE when performing the below procedure. See Ergonomic Precautions for safe and healthy working practices.

  • 2025-05-01: Added note about ball joint replacement.
  • 2024-12-11: Made correction to Note that mentions one/both rear lower fore links.
  • 2023-11-17: Mentioned correction code 31030312 for scenarios where both rear fore links are replaced as well.
  • 2023-11-14: Mentioned correction code 31030302, which is to be added when one rear fore link is replaced as well.
  • 1135103-00-A Tool, Spring Compressor, Hook, Model 3
  • 1062500-00-A Card, Magnetic Field Viewer
  • 1137855-00-A TOOL, REAR RIDE HEIGHT TORQUE, MODEL 3
  • 1081765-00-A 3/4 TON UNDERHOIST STAND
  • 1459409-00-A ADAPTER, HUB JACK, MODEL 3
Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
Note
Refer to the Parts Catalog for information on the various rear lower fore link PNs that should be paired with the replacement rear knuckle.
Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
Note
If play on the upper knuckle ball joint is the only reason for rear knuckle replacement, refer to Ball Joint - Rear - Upper - Rear Knuckle - LH (Remove and Replace) and check for markings on the upper ball joint. If no markings are present, replace the rear upper ball joint instead of the rear knuckle.
Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
Note
If rear fore link(s) must be replaced, add correction code 31030302 (for one link) or 31030312 (for two links) to the activity. Refer to Service Manual procedure 31031412 for instructions on removing and installing the rear lower fore link, and/or refer to Service Manual procedure 31031402 for instructions on removing and installing the rear upper fore link.
Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
Warning
The video(s) included in this procedure are meant as an overview for supplemental purposes only. Follow all of the steps listed in the procedure to avoid damage to components and/or personal injury.

Remove

  1. Inspect the tires for abnormal wear.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Note any abnormal tire wear that could indicate the need for an alignment.
  2. Open the LH front door.
  3. Place the vehicle into "Towing" mode.
  4. Raise and support the vehicle. See Raise Vehicle - 2 Post Lift.
  5. Loosen the LH rear wheel lug nuts, but do not remove the wheel at this time. See Wheel Assembly (Remove and Install).
  6. Loosen the LH rear halfshaft nut.
  7. Remove the LH rear wheel. See Wheel Assembly (Remove and Install).
  8. Disconnect the electrical wiring harness connector from the parking brake.
  9. Remove and discard the bolts (x2) that attach the LH rear caliper to the LH rear knuckle, remove the caliper from the knuckle, and allow the caliper to hang from an S-hook.
    83 Nm (61.2 lbs-ft)
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Hand-tighten the lug nut to secure the rotor on early production vehicles.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    TIp
    Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
    • External Torx E18
    • Ratchet/torque wrench
  10. Remove and discard the nut, and remove the washer that attach the LH halfshaft to the hub assembly.
  11. Remove the bolt that attaches the brake rotor to the hub.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Early production vehicles may not be equipped with a bolt securing the rotor.
  12. Install the hub puller onto the LH rear rotor, and then install and hand-tighten the puller washers (x5) and the lug nuts (x5) onto the rotor studs.
  13. Use the hub puller to free the halfshaft from the hub splines.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    The halfshaft is removed at a later step.
  14. Remove the lug nuts (x5) and the puller washers (x5) from the LH rear rotor studs, and then remove the hub puller from the rotor.
  15. Remove the LH rear brake rotor from the vehicle.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    Place the rotor hat down to prevent damage to the rotor face.
  16. Remove the bolts (x3) that attach the LH rear hub to the knuckle, and then remove the hub from the axle.
    Figure 1. Halfshaft hidden for clarity
  17. Remove the bolts (x3) that attach the LH rear brake dust shield to the knuckle, and then remove the dust shield from the vehicle.
  18. Remove the bolt that attaches the rear LH ABS wheel speed sensor to the knuckle.
  19. Release the clip and remove the grommet that attach the rear LH ABS wheel speed sensor cable to the rear knuckle and bracket.
  20. Remove the LH rear suspension cover. See Cover - Rear Suspension - LH (Remove and Replace).
  21. Use the support stand to raise the LH rear suspension.
  22. Remove and discard the nut that attaches the LH stabilizer bar link to the LH rear suspension knuckle, and then remove the link from the knuckle.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Counter-hold the ball joint with a 5 mm hex wrench.
  23. Remove the bolt and nut that attach the LH rear upper aft link to the LH rear suspension knuckle.
    134 Nm (98.8 lbs-ft)
    134 Nm (98.8 lbs-ft)
  24. Remove the bolt and nut that attach the LH rear upper fore link to the LH rear suspension knuckle.
    76 Nm (56.0 lbs-ft)
    76 Nm (56.0 lbs-ft)
  25. Remove the bolt and nut that attach the LH toe link to the LH rear suspension knuckle.
    76 Nm (56.0 lbs-ft)
    76 Nm (56.0 lbs-ft)
  26. Remove the bolt and nut that attach the LH rear lower fore link to the LH rear suspension knuckle.
    76 Nm (56.0 lbs-ft)
    76 Nm (56.0 lbs-ft)
  27. Remove the bolt and nut that attach the LH rear aft lower link to the LH rear suspension knuckle.
    115 Nm (84.8 lbs-ft)
    115 Nm (84.8 lbs-ft)
  28. Remove the LH rear suspension knuckle from the vehicle.

Install

  1. Position the LH rear suspension knuckle on the rear suspension.
  2. Install and hand-tighten the bolt and nut that attach the LH rear aft lower link to the LH rear suspension knuckle.
  3. Install and hand-tighten the bolt and nut that attach the LH rear lower fore link to the LH rear suspension knuckle.
  4. Install and hand-tighten the bolt and nut that attach the LH toe link to the LH rear suspension knuckle.
  5. Install and hand-tighten the bolt and nut that attach the LH rear upper fore link to the LH rear suspension knuckle.
  6. Install and hand-tighten the bolt and nut that attach the LH rear upper aft link to the LH rear suspension knuckle.
  7. Install and hand-tighten the nut that attaches the LH stabilizer bar link to the LH rear suspension knuckle.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Counter-hold the ball joint with a 5 mm hex wrench.
  8. Remove the support stand from underneath the LH rear suspension.
  9. Install the clip and grommet that attach the rear LH ABS wheel speed sensor cable to the rear knuckle and bracket.
  10. Install the bolt that attaches the rear LH ABS wheel speed sensor to the knuckle.
  11. Position the LH rear brake dust shield on the knuckle, and then install the bolts that attach the dust shield to the knuckle.
    8 Nm (5.9 lbs-ft)
  12. Position the LH rear hub into the knuckle, and then install the bolts that attach the hub to the vehicle.
    85 Nm (62.7 lbs-ft)
  13. Install only the axle nut onto the halfshaft, and then use a ratchet and socket to manually tighten the nut to pull the halfshaft into the hub until it seats.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Do not use power tools to tighten the nut as it might strip the threads.
  14. Remove the axle nut from the halfshaft, install a new washer onto the halfshaft, and then reinstall the axle nut hand tightened.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    The axle nut is torqued in a later step.
  15. Position the LH rear brake rotor onto the vehicle.
  16. Install new bolts that attach the LH rear caliper bracket to the knuckle.
    83 Nm (61.2 lbs-ft)
  17. Connect the electrical harness to the LH rear brake caliper connector.
  18. Install the hub jack adapter onto the LH rear hub and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
  19. Use an underhoist stand to support the hub jack adapter.
  20. Locate the rear ride height torque tool insertion point in the subframe, and then insert the rear ride height torque gauge to verify that the rear suspension is set to ride height specifications. Adjust the support stand or spring compressor tool, if necessary.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    The suspension is at the simulated ride height when the top of the tool touches the subframe and the lower part of the tool interfaces with the lower control arm.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    TIp
    Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
    • 1137855-00-A TOOL, REAR RIDE HEIGHT TORQUE, MODEL 3
  21. Measure the distance between the bottom of the quarter panel to the center of the rear axle to make sure that the rear suspension is set to ride height: The distance should measure 378 mm.
  22. Tighten the bolt and nut that attach the LH rear aft lower link to the LH rear suspension knuckle. Mark the bolt with a paint pen.
    115 Nm (84.8 lbs-ft)
    115 Nm (84.8 lbs-ft)
  23. Tighten the bolt and nut that attach the LH rear lower fore link to the LH rear suspension knuckle. Mark the bolt with a paint pen.
    76 Nm (56.0 lbs-ft)
    76 Nm (56.0 lbs-ft)
  24. Tighten the bolt and nut that attach the LH toe link to the LH rear suspension knuckle. Mark the bolt with a paint pen.
    76 Nm (56.0 lbs-ft)
    76 Nm (56.0 lbs-ft)
  25. Tighten the bolt and nut that attach the LH rear upper fore link to the LH rear suspension knuckle. Mark the bolt with a paint pen.
    76 Nm (56.0 lbs-ft)
    76 Nm (56.0 lbs-ft)
  26. Tighten the bolt and nut that attach the LH rear upper aft link to the LH rear suspension knuckle. Mark the bolt with a paint pen.
    134 Nm (98.8 lbs-ft)
    134 Nm (98.8 lbs-ft)
  27. Tighten the nut that attaches the LH stabilizer bar link to the LH rear suspension knuckle. Mark the bolt with a paint pen.
    55 Nm (40.6 lbs-ft)
  28. Remove the underhoist stand from underneath the LH rear suspension.
  29. Remove the lug nuts that attach the hub jack adapter, and then remove the hub jack adapter from the vehicle.
  30. Install the bolt that attaches the brake rotor to the hub.
    5 Nm (3.7 lbs-ft)
  31. Install the LH rear suspension cover. See Cover - Rear Suspension - LH (Remove and Replace).
  32. Install the LH rear wheel. See Wheel Assembly (Remove and Install).
  33. Tighten the LH rear axle nut.
    300 Nm (221.2 lbs-ft)
  34. Refer to the Alignment Requirement tables to determine whether an EPAS alignment check (EC) or four wheel alignment check (AC) is necessary. If performed, add the alignment check/adjust correction code as a separate activity to the SV. See Alignment Requirement - Suspension.