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Home >> Tesla >> 2021 >> Model S Performance >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 64 (Chassis And SUBFRAMES -- Model S) >> Chassis And Subframes >> Subframe Assembly - Front (3rd Generation) - Remove And Install >> Remove
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Subframe Assembly - Front (3rd Generation) - Remove And Install: Remove

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 9 other vehicles, including the 2020 Tesla Model S, 2019 Tesla Model S, 2018 Tesla Model S, 2017 Tesla Model S, and 2016 Tesla Model S. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
  1. Raise and support the vehicle on a 2 post lift. See Raise Vehicle - 2 Post Lift .
  2. Point the steering wheel towards the center, and then install the steering wheel holder on the steering wheel and secure the steering wheel from turning.
    G14980391Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  3. Remove the rear underhood apron. See Underhood Apron - Rear (Remove and Replace) .
  4. Remove the LH and RH underhood aprons. See Underhood Apron - LH (Remove and Replace) .
  5. Remove the front underhood apron. See Underhood Apron - Front (Remove and Replace) .
  6. Remove the HEPA filter inlet duct. See Duct - HEPA Filter - Inlet (Remove and Replace) .
  7. Remove the HEPA filter outlet duct. See Duct - HEPA Filter - Outlet (Remove and Replace) .
  8. Remove the underhood storage carpet. See Carpet - Underhood Storage (Remove and Install) .
  9. Remove the underhood storage unit. See Underhood Storage Unit (Remove and Install) .
  10. Disconnect 12V power. See Disconnect 12V Power .
  11. Remove the bolts (x3) that attach the chiller assembly to the front subframe assembly.
    G14980392Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    G14980393Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  12. Release the battery pump 2 off the mounting bracket by sliding the pump to the right of the vehicle.
    G14980394Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  13. Put an absorbent material such as a shop towel under the battery pump 2 hoses to absorb any residual coolant.
  14. Release the hose clamp that attaches the coolant hose from the 4-way valve to the battery pump 2, remove the hose from the pump, and then immediately plug both the pump and hose.
    G00630352Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  15. Disconnect the steering rack electrical connectors (x2).
    NOTE: Disengage the red locking tab before disconnecting the steering rack electrical connectors.
    G14980395Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  16. Disconnect the electrical connectors (x2) for the steering rack logic.
    G14980396Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  17. Release the clip that attaches the logic harness connector to the front subframe assembly.
    G14980397Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  18. Remove the bolts (x2) that attach the air suspension pump bracket to the front subframe assembly.
    G14980398Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  19. Secure the air suspension pump bracket and the chiller assembly to the front end carrier using bungee cords or similar tool.
    G14980399Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  20. Loosen, but do not remove, the bolt that attaches the 3-way valve.
    NOTE: The bolt will be removed at a later step in this procedure.
    G14980400Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  21. Remove the LH and RH front lug nut covers from the front wheels using the wheel nut cover removal tool.
    NOTE: LH wheel shown, RH wheel similar
    G14980401Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  22. Remove the LH and RH front wheel center caps from the vehicles using the suction cup clamp tool.
    G14980402Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  23. Loosen the LH and RH front axle nuts, but do not remove them yet (torque 245 N.m).
    G14980403Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  24. Raise and support the vehicle on a 2 post lift. See Raise Vehicle - 2 Post Lift .
  25. Remove the LH and RH front wheels.
  26. Remove and discard the RH nyloc nut that attaches the tie rod end to the steering knuckle, and then disconnect the tie rod from the steering knuckle. Repeat this step on the LH tie rod end.
    NOTE: RH tie rod
    G14980404Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    NOTE: LH tie rod
    G14980405Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  27. Remove the mid aero shield. See Panel - Aero Shield - Mid (Remove and Replace) .
  28. Remove the front extrusion bash plate. See BASH PLATE - FRONT - EXTRUSION (REMOVE AND REPLACE) .
  29. Remove the HV battery. See HV Battery (RWD/AWD) (Remove and Install) .
  30. Remove the front aero shield. See Panel - Aero Shield - Front (Remove and Replace) .
  31. Remove the front subframe skid bar. See SKID BAR - FRONT SUBFRAME (REMOVE AND REPLACE) .
  32. Remove the front bash plate stamping. See BASH PLATE - FRONT - STAMPING (REMOVE AND REPLACE) .
  33. Remove the front skidplate. See SKIDPLATE - FRONT (REMOVE AND REPLACE) .
  34. Remove the bolt that attaches the RH front strut to the front lower aft link. Repeat this step on the LH front strut.
    NOTE: RH side
    G14980406Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    NOTE: LH side
    G14980407Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  35. Remove the bolt that attaches the LH front lower aft link to the front subframe assembly, and then move the link aside.
    NOTE: Index the location of the eccentric with a paint marker.
    G14980408Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  36. Remove the bolt that attaches LH front lower fore link to the front subframe assembly, and then move the link aside.
    NOTE: Index the location of the eccentric with a paint marker.
    G14980409Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  37. Remove the bolt that attaches the RH front lower aft link to the front subframe assembly, and then move the link aside.
    NOTE: Index the location of the eccentric with a paint marker.
    G14980410Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  38. Remove the bolt that attaches the RH front lower fore link to the front subframe assembly, and then move the link aside.
    NOTE: Index the location of the eccentric with a paint marker.
    G14980411Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  39. Remove and discard the nut that attaches the LH stabilizer bar to the stabilizer bar end link, and then remove the end link from the stabilizer bar. Repeat this step on the RH stabilizer bar.
    NOTE: LH shown, RH similar
    G14980412Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  40. Remove the bolt that attaches the lower i-shaft to the steering rack, and then slide the i-shaft up and away from the steering rack.
    G14980413Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  41. Remove the forward bolt that attaches the RH 3-way valve to the subframe bracket.
    G14980414Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  42. Remove the bolts (x2) that attach the LH stay bar to the front subframe assembly. Repeat this step on the RH stay bar.
    G14980415Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  43. Remove the nuts (x2) that attach the ABS pump to the front subframe, and then release the ABS pump from the rubber mounting grommet.
    G14980416Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  44. Put the coolant drain container under the LH corner of the vehicle to catch any coolant during the next step.
  45. Release the hose clamp that attaches the battery coolant heater-to-coolant pump 2 at the rear of the front subframe assembly, and then plug both ends using plugs from the coolant hose plug kit.
    G14980417Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  46. Release the fir tree clips (x3) that attach the battery coolant heater-to-coolant pump 2 between the steering rack and the front subframe assembly.
    G14980418Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  47. Move the coolant drain container to the RH corner of the vehicle to catch any coolant during the next step.
  48. Release the hose clip and the fir tree clip that attach the coolant hose from the radiator inlet, and then plug both ends using plugs from the coolant hose plug kit.
    G14980419Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    G14980420Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  49. Remove the coolant drain container from under the vehicle.
  50. Position the powertrain table with the Model S/X subframe adapter installed under the front of the vehicle.
  51. Connect shop air supply to the powertrain table.
  52. Raise the powertrain table and subframe fixture into position.
    G14980421Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    NOTE: Make sure that the pins are installed into the correct positions on the fixture.
    NOTE: Make sure that the pins engage the front subframe assembly so that it is properly supported.
    G14980422Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    G14980423Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  53. Remove and discard the bolts (x4) that attach the bumper carrier to the front subframe assembly.
    NOTE: LH side
    G14980424Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    NOTE: RH side
    G14980425Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  54. Remove the bolt that attaches the LH stabilizer bar mount to the body through the front subframe assembly. Repeat this step on the RH stabilizer bar mount.
    NOTE: LH side
    G14980426Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  55. Remove the LH rear bolt that attaches the front subframe assembly to the body. Repeat this step on the RH rear bolt.
    NOTE: LH side
    G14980427Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    NOTE: RH side
    G14980428Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  56. Lower the front subframe assembly completely, and then move the front subframe assembly from under the vehicle.
    CAUTION: Do not work on the front subframe assembly while it is under the vehicle.
    CAUTION: Do not damage the front end carrier while the front subframe assembly is lowered from the vehicle. The powertrain table must be tilted on the rear side angle down and the front side tilted up as the front subframe is clearing the front end carrier.
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