06/12/2024 04:53:00

Control Arm - Upper - Front - LH (Remove and Replace)

Correction Code Pre-refresh: 31014602, Refresh: 31014802

  • 2024-12-04: Added info on FUCA ride height tool for EMEA.
  • 2023-08-16: Re-wrote the whole topic according to the latest procedure optimized by the development personnel.
  • 1117845-00-A Wheel Nut Cover Removal Tool
  • 1705887-00-A ½" Dr. Electric Impact
  • 1098012-00-A Model S/X UCA Ride Height Kit (all regions except EMEA)
  • 1098012-E1-B Model S FUCA Ride Height Torque Tool (EMEA region)
  • 1143989-00-A Torque Wrench ½ in Dr.
Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
Warning
If the vehicle has air suspension, activate "Jack" mode on the touchscreen before raising and supporting the vehicle.

Removal

  1. Inspect the vehicle for abnormal tire wear that might indicate the need for a wheel alignment. Note any findings.
  2. Open the LH front door and lower the LH front window.
  3. Position the vehicle in preparation for raising it, but keep the vehicle at ground level at this time.
  4. Remove the LH and RH underhood aprons. See Underhood Apron - LH (Remove and Replace).
  5. Remove the HEPA filter outlet duct. See Duct - HEPA Filter - Outlet (Remove and Replace).
  6. Remove the underhood storage carpet. See Carpet - Underhood Storage (Remove and Install).
  7. Remove the underhood storage unit. See Underhood Storage Unit (Remove and Install).
  8. Release the push clips (x4), and then remove the shock tower cover.
  9. Release the clip of the LH front air line.
  10. Remove the LH front wheel arch liner. See Wheel Arch Liner - Front - LH (Remove and Replace).
  11. Disconnect the LH front ride height sensor connector, and then remove the nut that attaches the LH front ride height sensor to the LH front upper control arm, if equipped.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Use a 9mm wrench to counter hold the ball joint pin while loosening or tightening the lock nut.
    Tip: Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
    • Flex head ratchet/flex head torque wrench
  12. Remove and discard the nut that attaches the LH front wheel speed sensor bracket to the body.
    Tip: Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
    • Ratchet/torque wrench
    • 10 mm deep socket
  13. Remove the nut that secures the upper control arm to the knuckle, then remove the bolt.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Hold the bolt in place to prevent turning while removing the nut. While holding the upper control arm to ball joint slide bolt out of the top of knuckle, this will release knuckle from upper control arm ball joint. Support the knuckle as the ball joint is released.
    Tip: Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
    • Ratchet/torque wrench
    • Flex head ratchet/flex head torque wrench
    • 3/8in Dr. T50
  14. Remove the bolt and nut that attach the front air spring module to the front lower aft link.
    Tip: Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
    • Ratchet ½ in Dr. Flex Head
    • ½ inch socket wrench hexagon short
    • 21 mm 12pt combination wrench
  15. Remove the nuts (x3) that attach the LH front air spring module to the vehicle, lower the air spring module, and then carefully move it aside.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    Pay attention not to damage the air line.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Use one hand to hold the air spring module before completely removing the last nut. Use a step stool as needed.
    Tip: Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
    • Ratchet/torque wrench
    • 13 mm socket
    • Step Stool
  16. Remove the bolts (x2) and the nut that attach the LH front upper control arm to the body.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Discard the nyloc nut after removal.
    Tip: Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
    • Flex head ratchet/flex head torque wrench
    • 15 mm deep socket
  17. Remove the upper control arm from the vehicle.

Installation

Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
Note
Clean the affected areas before installation.
  1. Install the upper control arm into the vehicle, install the bolts (x2) and the new nyloc nut hand tight, torque at a later step.
  2. Set the ride height tool onto the LH front upper control arm and the body.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    For Non-EMEA FUCA Ride Height Tool (1098012-00-A): Hand tighten the nyloc nut to keep the ride height tool in place.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    For EMEA FUCA Ride Height Tool (1098012-E1-B): Clean debris in the shock tower, and then align the tool profile with the shock tower profile.
    Figure 1. FUCA Ride Height Tool - All Regions except EMEA
    Figure 2. FUCA Ride Height Tool - All Regions except EMEA
    Figure 3. FUCA Ride Height Tool - EMEA
    Figure 4. FUCA Ride Height Tool - EMEA
  3. Torque the bolts (x2) and the nut that attach the LH front upper control arm to the body.
    68 Nm (50.1 lbs-ft)
    Tip: Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
    • Flex head ratchet/flex head torque wrench
    • 15 mm deep socket
  4. Remove the FUCA ride height tool, and then position the LH front air spring module.
  5. Install the nuts (x3) that attach the LH front air spring module to the vehicle.
    39 Nm (28.8 lbs-ft)
    Tip: Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
    • Ratchet/torque wrench
    • 13 mm socket
    • 13 mm 12-point deep socket
    • Flex head ratchet/flex head torque wrench
    • Step Stool
  6. Remove the bolt and nut that attach the front air spring module to the front lower aft link.
    140 Nm (103.2 lbs-ft)
    Tip: Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
    • Ratchet/torque wrench
    • 21 mm 12-point socket
    • 21 mm 12pt combination wrench
  7. Install the bolt and the nut that attaches the upper control arm to the knuckle.
    60 Nm (44.2 lbs-ft)
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Seat the upper control arm ball joint into the knuckle, and then slide the bolt through the knuckle to hold it in place. The bolt should slide through the knuckle towards the front of the vehicle on installation. The bolt head is at the rear side of the knuckle.
    Tip: Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
    • Ratchet/torque wrench
    • Flex head ratchet/flex head torque wrench
    • 3/8in Dr. T50
    • 15 mm socket
  8. Install the nut that attaches the LH front ride height sensor to the LH front upper control arm, and then connect the LH front ride height sensor connector.
    7 Nm (5.2 lbs-ft)
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Use a 9mm wrench to counter hold the ball joint pin while loosening or tightening the lock nut.
    Tip: Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
    • Flex head ratchet/flex head torque wrench
    • Ratchet/torque wrench
    • 10 mm socket
  9. Install the nut that attaches the LH front wheel speed sensor bracket to the body.
    4 Nm (2.9 lbs-ft)
    Tip: Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
    • Ratchet/torque wrench
    • 10 mm deep socket
  10. Install the LH front wheel arch liner. See Wheel Arch Liner - Front - LH (Remove and Replace).
  11. Install the clip of the LH front air line.
  12. Secure the push clips (x4) to install the shock tower cover.
  13. Install the underhood storage unit. See Underhood Storage Unit (Remove and Install).
  14. Install the underhood storage carpet. See Carpet - Underhood Storage (Remove and Install).
  15. Install the HEPA filter outlet duct. See Duct - HEPA Filter - Outlet (Remove and Replace).
  16. Install the LH and RH underhood aprons. See Underhood Apron - LH (Remove and Replace).
  17. Remove the vehicle from the lift.
  18. Perform a test drive, 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 as a separate activity.