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Home >> Tesla >> 2012 >> Model S >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Drivelines & Axles >> Axle Shafts >> Front Drive Unit -- Model S >> Front Drive Unit Assembly >> Drive Unit - Front (1st Generation) - Remove And Install >> Removal
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Drive Unit - Front (1st Generation) - Remove And Install: Removal

  1. Position the vehicle on a two post lift, but do not raise it at this time.
  2. Engage the electric park brake.
  3. Remove the center cap from the LH front wheel.
  4. Loosen the LH front axle nut, but do not remove it.
    G14982195Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  5. Remove the center cap from the RH front wheel.
  6. Loosen the RH front axle nut, but do not remove it.
  7. Recover the refrigerant from the vehicle. See A/C Refrigerant Recovery and Recharge (Remove and Replace) .
  8. Remove the front subframe. See Subframe Assembly - Front (1st Generation) (Dual Motor) (Remove and Install) .
  9. Remove the 12V battery bracket beam. See 12V Battery Bracket Beam (Remove and Replace) .
  10. Release the fir tree clips (x2) that attach the 12V positive harness to the front crossmember.
    G14982196Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  11. Move the 12V positive harness to the RH side of the vehicle to keep it out of the working area.
    G14982197Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  12. Make sure that the coolant reservoir cap is properly secured.
  13. Remove the bolts (x4) that attach the coolant reservoir to the front crossmember.
    NOTE: Do not remove the reservoir at this time.
    G14982198Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  14. Carefully lift up the coolant reservoir and disconnect the electrical harness from the coolant level sensor connector.
    G14982199Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  15. Move the coolant reservoir forward into the underhood area.
    NOTE: The reservoir hose is routed behind the front drive unit hose. Make sure that hoses are correctly routed during reinstallation.
    G14982200Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  16. Release the clips (x4) that attach the hoses to the front crossmember.
    G14982201Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  17. Release the clip that attaches the coolant reservoir hose to the A/C line.
    G14982202Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  18. Clamp the coolant hose that leads to the differential housing on the LH side of the 3-way fitting.
    G14982203Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  19. Remove the hose from the front drive unit and plug the fitting.
    G14982204Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  20. Move the coolant reservoir to the LH side of the vehicle and secure it out of the working area.
    NOTE: The coolant hoses (x2) are still attached to the coolant reservoir.
    G14982205Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  21. Clamp the coolant hose on the LH side of the front drive unit.
  22. Remove the hose and plug the fitting.

    Tip: Use flexible hose clamp pliers to release the locking ring.

  23. Move the clamped front drive unit coolant hose to the RH side of the vehicle so that it is out of the working area.
    G14982206Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  24. Release the clip that attaches the LH A/C line to the compressor HV harness.
    G14982207Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  25. Remove the nuts (x2) that attach the A/C lines to the compressor.
  26. Plug both holes on the compressor and cap both lines.
  27. Disconnect the electrical harness from the compressor LV connector.
    G14982208Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  28. Remove the bolt that attaches the ground strap to the compressor bracket.
    G14982209Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  29. Release the edge clip that attaches the electrical harnesses to the compressor bracket.
    G14982210Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  30. Release the fir tree clip that attaches the electrical harness to the top of the front drive unit.
    G14982211Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  31. Wrap the electrical harness around the RH hood strut so that they are out of the working area.
  32. With the help of an assistant, remove the bolts (x3) that attach the compressor bracket to the front drive unit.
    CAUTION: Do not spill any oil from the compressor. If oil spills from the compressor, the system might experience a failure due to inadequate lubrication after reinstallation.
    G14982212Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  33. Move the compressor and bracket to the RH side of the vehicle and secure them outside of the working area.
    G14982213Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  34. Remove the bolt that attaches the ground strap to the front drive unit.
  35. Disconnect the electrical harness from the front drive unit motor logic connector.
  36. Raise the vehicle to access the wheel wells.
  37. Remove the screws (x4) that attach the HV cables to the front drive unit.
  38. Fully raise the vehicle.
  39. Remove the front drive unit lower RH acoustic cover.
  40. Drain the gearbox fluid. See GEARBOX FLUID - FRONT DRIVE UNIT (1ST GENERATION) (DRAIN AND REFILL) .
  41. Clamp the coolant hoses (x2) that lead to coolant pump 4 at the locations indicated.
    G14982214Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  42. Release the locking rings and disconnect the coolant hoses from coolant pump 4.
  43. Remove the LH halfshaft. See HALFSHAFT - FRONT DRIVE UNIT - LH (1ST GENERATION) (REMOVE AND REPLACE) .
  44. Remove the jackshaft. See JACKSHAFT ASSEMBLY - FRONT (REMOVE AND REPLACE) .
  45. Europe only: Install the adapter plate onto the transmission jack.
  46. Install the front drive unit cradle onto the transmission jack.
    G14982215Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  47. Position the transmission jack fixture underneath the front drive unit.
  48. Raise the transmission jack to support the weight of the front drive unit.
  49. With the help of an assistant, make sure that the ridge on the base of the front drive unit fits into the channel on the transmission jack.
    G14982216Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  50. Use the front drive unit cradle strap to secure the front drive unit.
  51. Loosen, but do not remove, the front adjustment bolts (x2) of the LH motor mount.
    G14982217Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  52. Remove and discard the bolts (x2) that attach the RH motor mount to the body.
    NOTE: The RH motor mount remains with the front drive unit.
    G14982218Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  53. Remove and discard the bolts (x2) that attach the LH motor mount to the body.
    NOTE: The LH motor mount remains with the front drive unit.
    G14982219Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  54. Lower the front drive unit to a working height.
    G14982220Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
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