LEMON Manuals: Even more car manuals for everyone: 1960-2025
Home >> Tesla >> 2012 >> Model S >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Drivelines & Axles >> Axle Shafts >> Front Drive Unit -- Model S >> Front Drive Unit Assembly >> Front Drive Unit (From Above) - Remove And Install >> Remove Components For Access
April 5, 2026: LEMON Manuals is launched! Read the announcement.

Remove Components For Access

  1. Remove the front wheels Wheels - Axle Set (Remove And Install) .
  2. Release the fasteners that secure the lower arch liners. Fold the arch liner forward to access the rear of the wheelwell.
  3. Lower the vehicle.
  4. Remove the 12V battery bracket beam 12V Battery Bracket Beam (Remove And Replace) .
  5. Release the 2 fir tree clips that secure the 12V positive harness to the front crossmember.
    G14982153Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  6. Move the 12V positive harness to the RH side of the vehicle to keep it out of the working area.
    G14982154Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  7. Release the 4 bolts that secure the coolant reservoir to the front crossmember (torque 6 N.m). Do not remove the reservoir at this time.
    G14982155Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    CAUTION: At this point in the procedure, there are still 2 coolant hoses and 1 harness attached to the reservoir.
  8. Carefully lift up the coolant reservoir and disconnect the coolant level sensor harness.
    G14982156Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  9. Ensure that the cap on the reservoir is properly secured, then pull the reservoir forward into the underhood area.
    NOTE: The reservoir hose is routed behind the drive unit hose. Note the routing of the hoses and ensure that they are routed correctly during reinstallation.
    G14982157Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  10. Gently pull down on the 2 coolant hoses to release the clips (x4) that secure them to the front crossmember.
    G14982158Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  11. Release the clip that secures the coolant reservoir hose to the A/C line.
    G14982159Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  12. On the LH side of the 3-way fitting, clamp the coolant hose that leads to the differential housing. Remove the hose from the front drive unit and plug the nipple.
    G14982160Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    G14982161Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  13. Move the coolant reservoir to the LH side of the vehicle and secure it out of the working area.
    CAUTION: The reservoir is still secured to 2 coolant hoses.
    G14982162Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  14. On the LH side of the drive unit, clamp the coolant hose. Remove the hose and plug the nipple.

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

  15. Move the clamped drive unit coolant hose to the RH side of the vehicle so that it is out of the working area.
    G14982163Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  16. Release the clip that secures the LH A/C line to the compressor HV harness.
    G14982164Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  17. Release the 2 nuts that secure the A/C lines to the compressor. Plug both holes and cap both lines.
  18. Disconnect the compressor LV harness.
    G14982165Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  19. Release the ground strap from the A/C compressor bracket (torque 7 N.m).
    G14982166Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  20. Release the edge clip that secures the LV harnesses to the compressor bracket.
    G14982167Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  21. Release the fir tree clip that secures the LV harnesses to the top of the front drive unit.
    G14982168Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  22. Wrap the LV harnesses around the RH hood strut so that they are out of the working area.
  23. Have an assistant support the compressor. Release the 3 bolts that secure the A/C compressor bracket to the front drive unit (torque 10 N.m).
    CAUTION: Do not spill any oil when removing the compressor.
    G14982169Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  24. Move the compressor and bracket to the RH side of the vehicle and secure them outside of the working area.
    G14982170Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  25. Raise the vehicle.
    NOTE: Perform the next 3 steps on both sides of the vehicle.
  26. Release the nut that secures the stabilizer bar end links to the stabilizer bar (torque 70 N.m).
    G14982171Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  27. Release the wheel speed sensor harness from the brackets on the knuckle and the body.
    G14982172Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  28. Release the bolt that secures the upper control arm to the knuckle (torque 60 N.m).
    G14982173Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  29. Temporarily lower the vehicle and remove the RH halfshaft from the jackshaft.

    Tip: Use a deadblow hammer to separate the halfshaft.

    G14982174Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  30. Raise the vehicle to access the RH wheelwell.
  31. At the rear base of the RH wheelwell, release and drain the coolant hose that leads to coolant pump 4.
    NOTE: This is necessary because the coolant hose and pump are removed with the drive unit.
    G14982175Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  32. Release any clips that secure the coolant hose to the body.
  33. Lower the vehicle to provide easier access to the underhood area.
  34. Working from the underhood area, release the 2 bolts that secure the bracket for coolant pump 4.
    NOTE: These bolts appear similar to other fasteners used in this procedure, but are slightly shorter. Ensure that the correct bolts are used during reinstallation.
    G14982176Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  35. Release the straps that secure the lower RH section of the acoustic cover around the front drive unit. Remove only the lower RH section of the cover to access the drain plug.
  36. Set the fluid transfer pan into position beneath the drain plug. Ensure that the pan is level, then route the drain hose between the subframe and aeroshield so that it will drain into an oil drain pan.
    G14982177Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  37. Remove the drain plug (torque 28 N.m).
  38. Release the 2 bolts that secure each fuse box to the front crossmember (torque 5 N.m). Move both fuse boxes behind the front crossmember.
  39. Release the bolt that secures the bracket for coolant pump 3 (torque 6.5 N.m). Move the bracket behind the front crossmember.
    G14982178Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  40. Release the 4 screws that secure the HV cables to the front drive unit (torque 7 N.m).
    CAUTION: During reinstallation, carefully inspect the connector seals. If any are damaged, replace them.
    CAUTION: Apply P-80 emulsion to the connector seals on the HV cables before securing the HV cables during reinstallation.
    CAUTION: Do not apply P-80 emulsion to the HV terminals.
    G14982179Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  41. Disconnect the motor logic connector.
  42. On the LH side of the underhood area, release the bracket from the body that secures the 4-way valve.
  43. Hand-tighten the drain plug and remove the fluid transfer pan.
scientia non olet · About LEMON Manuals