01/07/2024 20:23:50

Filter - Oil - Front Drive Unit (Remove and Replace)

Correction code 39304802 0.84 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 LaborTimeFeedback@tesla.com. NOTE: See Personal Protection to make sure wearing proper PPE when performing the below procedure.

  • 2024-02-27: Updated gearbox fluid to KAF 1.
  • 2023-10-26: Added oil pump removal and gearbox fluid drain steps, added torque info for all relevant steps.

Torque Specifications

Table 1. Torque Specifications: Gearbox Fluid - Front Drive Unit (Drain and Refill)
Description Torque Value Recommended Tools Reuse/Replace Notes
Bolt that attaches the front drive unit to the front subframe
80 Nm (59.0 lbs-ft)
  • 18 mm socket
  • Flex head ratchet/flex head torque wrench
Reuse
Bolts (x2) that attach the front drive unit oil pump to the front drive unit
5 Nm (3.7 lbs-ft) + 20 degrees
  • 4 in extension
  • EPL 10 socket
  • ¼ in to 3/8 in adapter
Reuse
Front drive unit fill plug
15 Nm (11.1 lbs-ft)
  • Ratchet/torque wrench
  • 8 mm hex
Reuse
New oil filter
3 Nm (2.2 lbs-ft) + 135 degrees
  • 21 mm socket
  • ¼ in to 3/8 in adapter
  • Torque Wrench 1/4in Dr. + Angle
  • Oil filter socket

Remove

  1. Raise and support the vehicle. See Raise Vehicle - 2 Post Lift.
  2. Open the LH front door and lower the LH front window.
  3. Remove the rear underhood apron. See Underhood Apron - Rear (Remove and Replace).
  4. Disconnect 12V power. See 12V/LV Power (Disconnect and Connect).
  5. Remove the front aero shield panel. See Panel - Aero Shield - Front (Non-Structural Pack) (Remove and Replace).
  6. Support the LH side of the front drive unit with an underhoist stand, as shown.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    Place a show towel between the underhoist stand and front drive unit.
  7. Remove the bolt that attaches the front drive unit to the front subframe.
    Tip: Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
  8. Position an oil drain container under the front drive unit oil filter area.
  9. Release the locking tab, and then disconnect the front drive unit oil pump connector.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Do not push down on the red tab. Pull the red tab to disengage lock, and then pull again to release the connector.
  10. Carefully lower the front underhoist stand until the front drive unit oil pump is accessible.
  11. Remove the bolts (x2) that attach the front drive unit oil pump to the front drive unit.
    Tip: Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
  12. Remove the front drive unit oil pump.
    Tip: Use the front drive unit as a fulcrum to leverage out the oil pump.
  13. Remove the oil filter from the front drive unit, and then allow the gearbox fluid to drain.
    Tip: Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
    • 21 mm socket
    • Ratchet/torque wrench
    • Oil filter socket
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Allow at least 10 minutes for the gearbox fluid to drain from the front drive unit, or until a slow drip exits the front drive unit.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Tesla recommends that the oil filter is replaced with a new one upon removal. Any oil filter with visible corrosion or leaks must be replaced.
  14. Remove the fill plug from the front drive unit.
    Tip: Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:

Install

  1. Inspect the seal on the oil filter, the O-ring on the fill plug, and O-rings (x3) on the oil pump.
    • Make sure that the O-ring is on the fill plug, the 3 O-rings are on the oil pump, and no O-rings are stuck in the front drive unit assembly.
    • If an O-ring is damaged on the oil pump, install a new O-ring.
    • If the O-ring is damaged on the fill plug, install a new fill plug or O-ring.
    • Check that the seal is on the oil filter and not on the front drive unit assembly.
  2. Apply a light coat of KAF 1 gearbox fluid to the O-ring seal of a new oil filter, and then install the new filter onto the front drive unit.
    3 Nm (2.2 lbs-ft) + 135 degrees
    Tip: Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
    • 21 mm socket
    • ¼ in to 3/8 in adapter
    • Torque Wrench 1/4in Dr. + Angle
    • Oil filter socket
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Tesla recommends that the oil filter is replaced with a new one upon removal. Any oil filter with visible corrosion or leaks must be replaced.
  3. Lubricate the oil pump O-rings (x3) with fresh KAF 1 gearbox fluid, and then reinstall the oil pump onto the front drive unit assembly.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Make sure that the oil pump O-rings are lubricated before installation onto the front drive unit.
  4. Install the bolts (x2) that attach the oil pump to the front drive unit.
    Tip: Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
  5. Carefully raise the front underhoist stand until the front drive unit front bushing aligns with the front subframe mount.
  6. Install the bolt that attaches the front drive unit to the front subframe.
    Tip: Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
  7. Remove the underhoist stand and shop towel from the LH side of the front drive unit.
  8. Set up an oil fill kit with KAF 1 gearbox fluid, and fill the measuring container to 1500 mL.
  9. Connect the 12V power supply to the oil pump using the oil pump switchbox special tool and the XP-10 jump pack.
  10. Trim the input and output hoses to 26", install the output hose into the front drive unit oil fill hole until it is fully seated, and then pull the hose back 5mm.
  11. Place the fluid container into the drain basket, fully submerge the input hose into the measuring container, and then prime the pump with KAF 1 gearbox fluid.
  12. Install a new O-ring on the front drive unit fill plug, prepare the fill plug for installation, and have an assistant ready to run the oil pump switchbox using a XP-10 Jump Pack.
  13. While simultaneously running the oil pump switch box for entire fill process, pump 5 full strokes from the fluid container.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Make sure that there is less than 200mL left remaining in the fill container when completed. Pumping the full 1.5 liters is not required.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    The minimum refill capacity of the front drive unit assembly is 1.3 liters. Using excess gearbox fluid in the fill container allows the oil pump to dispense the full 1.3L without drawing air.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Keep running the oil pump switch box until the drain plug is installed in next step.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    Do not run the pump dry.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    If the pump is not running and the drain plug is not installed, fluid will drain from plug within 10 seconds.
  14. Continue running the oil pump switch box, remove the hand pump from the fill hole, and then install fill plug into front drive unit.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Assistance required. The switch box should continue to be ran until the system is closed.
    Tip: Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
  15. Disconnect the 12V power supply tool from the oil pump.
  16. Connect the front drive unit oil pump connector, and then engage the locking tab.
  17. Remove the oil drain container from underneath the front drive unit.
  18. Lower the vehicle fully.
  19. Connect 12V power. See 12V/LV Power (Disconnect and Connect).
  20. Install the rear underhood apron. See Underhood Apron - Rear (Remove and Replace).
  21. Connect a laptop with Toolbox 3 to the vehicle.
  22. In Toolbox, click the Actions/Autodiag tab, and then search for "Oil Pump Low Pressure Test - Front Drive Unit".
  23. Click TEST-SELF_DIF_X_OIL-PUMPSearch for routine in Toolbox, click Run, and allow the routine to complete.
  24. Disconnect Toolbox and remove the laptop from the vehicle.
  25. Install the front aero shield panel. See Panel - Aero Shield - Front (Non-Structural Pack) (Remove and Replace).
  26. Remove the vehicle from the lift. See Raise Vehicle - 2 Post Lift.
  27. Raise the LH front door and close the LH front door.