LEMON Manuals: Even more car manuals for everyone: 1960-2025
Home >> Tesla >> 2021 >> Model S Performance >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Body & Frame >> Frames, Subframes & Crossmembers >> Chassis And SUBFRAMES -- Model S >> Chassis and Subframes >> Subframe Assembly - Rear - Remove And Install >> Install
April 5, 2026: LEMON Manuals is launched! Read the announcement.

Subframe Assembly - Rear - Remove And Install: Install

  1. Move the rear subframe under the vehicle.
    G15102278Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  2. Connect the supply air hose to the subframe lift.
    G15102279Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  3. With the help of an assistant, carefully raise the subframe into position and align the rear active dampers to their respective knuckles.
    NOTE: Move and tilt the subframe lift as it is raised to make sure that the coolant hoses don't get caught, or that the HV battery is damaged by the front motor mount of the rear subframe.
    G15102280Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    G15102281Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    G15102282Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  4. Install the bolt to attach the LH rear active damper to the LH rear knuckle.
    NOTE: Adjust the subframe lift height as necessary to ease installation of the bolt. Do not install the nut at this time.
    G15102283Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  5. Install the bolt to attach the RH rear active damper to the RH rear knuckle.
    NOTE: Adjust the subframe lift height as necessary to ease installation of the bolt. Do not install the nut at this time.
    G15102284Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  6. Raise the subframe lift until the subframe just makes contact with the body, and then use the power tool to install the bolts (x4) that attach the rear subframe to the body.
    G15102285Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    G15102286Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    G15102287Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    G15102288Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  7. Tighten the bolts (x4) that attach the rear subframe to the vehicle.

    175 N.m (129.1 ft-lbs) 

    G15102289Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    G15102290Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    G15102291Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  8. Release the strap at the front, and two straps at the rear of the subframe lift.
    G15102292Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    G15102293Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  9. Completely lower the subframe lift, disconnect the supply air hose, and then move the subframe lift out from under the vehicle.
    G15102294Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  10. Connect the rear subframe electrical harness to the rear drive unit oil pump connector, and then push the red locking tab.
    G15102295Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  11. Verify that the black release lever of the rear drive unit HV harness connector is in the open position, install the connector flat and square to the HV battery LH HV header, secure the release lever to the closed position, and then slide the red connector locking tab.
    G15102296Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  12. Verify that the black release lever of the dummy plug is in the open position, install the dummy plug flat and square to the HV battery RH HV header, secure the release lever to the closed position, and then slide the red connector locking tab.
    G00651599Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  13. Fasten the clip that attaches the rear subframe electrical harness to the LH wheel well.
    G15102297Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  14. Connect the rear subframe electrical harness connectors (x4) to the main electrical harness, and then fasten the connector red locking tabs.
    G15102298Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    G15102299Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  15. Install the LH and RH rear subframe shear plates. See Shear Plate - Rear Subframe - LH (Remove And Replace) .
  16. Position a coolant drain collector underneath the LH rear of the HV battery.
    G15102300Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  17. Remove the plugs from both fittings and immediately connect the powertrain coolant supply hose to the powertrain coolant side sill supply hose, fasten the clip and perform a Push-Pull-Push check of the fittings, and then fasten the clip that attaches the powertrain coolant supply hose to the LH rear casting.
    NOTE: Use a clean shop towel to wipe up any spilled coolant.
    G15102301Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  18. Install and hand-tighten the nut that attaches the LH rear active damper to the LH rear knuckle.
    NOTE: The nut is torqued in a later step.
    G15102302Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  19. Remove the LH brake caliper from the S-hook, and then install the caliper onto the LH rear knuckle.
    NOTE: Route the jounce hose so that it does not get caught on the stabilizer bar.
    G15102303Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  20. Install the bolts (x2) that attach the LH rear brake caliper to the LH rear knuckle.

    125 N.m (92.2 ft-lbs) 

    G15102304Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  21. Install the LH rear stabilizer bar link into the rear stabilizer bar, install a new nut to attach the link to the stabilizer bar, and then mark the nut with a paint pen after tightening.

    55 N.m (40.6 ft-lbs) 

    NOTE: To prevent ball joint damage, use a 5 mm Allen wrench to prevent the link ball joint stud from turning while installing the nut.
    G15102305Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  22. Install the LH rear jounce hose to the LH rear lower control arm, and then install the bolt that attaches the jounce hose to the control arm.

    6 N.m (4.4 ft-lbs) 

    G15102306Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  23. Fasten the fir tree clip that attaches the electrical harness to the LH lower control arm.
    G15102307Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  24. Connect the electrical harness to the LH electronic parking brake motor connector, and then fasten the connector red locking tab.
    G15102308Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  25. Fasten the grommet that attaches the electrical harness to the damper, and then connect the electrical harness to the LH rear active damper connectors (x2).
    G15102309Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  26. If installed, remove and discard the bolt that attaches the brake rotor to the hub.
    NOTE: A new bolt will not be installed.

    Tip: Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:

    • 13 mm socket
    G00651598Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  27. Install the hub jack adapter onto the LH rear hub, and then install and hand-tighten the nuts (x5) that attach the adapter to the hub.
    NOTE: The hydraulic hub tool can used if the hub jack adapter is not available.
    G15102311Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  28. Use a support stand under the hub jack adapter to raise the LH rear suspension to a simulated ride height.
    G15102312Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  29. Adjust the support stand so that the vertical distance from the frame rail bolt (pictured) to the upper fore link is 85 mm +/- 5 mm.
    NOTE: Measure as shown.
    G15102313Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  30. If loosened for other procedures, tighten the nut and bolt that attach the LH toe link to the LH rear knuckle, and then mark with a paint pen after tightening.

    150 N.m (110.6 ft-lbs) 

    G15102314Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  31. If loosened for other procedures, tighten the nut and bolt that attach the LH upper fore link to the LH rear knuckle, and then mark with a paint pen after tightening.

    150 N.m (110.6 ft-lbs) 

    G15102315Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  32. If loosened for other procedures, tighten the nut and bolt that attach the LH upper aft link to the LH rear knuckle, and then mark with a paint pen after tightening.

    150 N.m (110.6 ft-lbs) 

    G15102316Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  33. Tighten the bolt that attaches the LH rear active damper to the LH rear knuckle, and then mark with a paint pen after tightening.

    150 N.m (110.6 ft-lbs) 

    G15102317Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  34. Lower and remove the support stand from under the hub jack adapter.
    G15102318Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  35. Remove the nuts (x5) that attach the hub jack adapter to the LH rear hub, and then remove the adapter from the hub.
    G15102319Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  36. Repeat step  16 through step  35 for the RH side of the vehicle.
    NOTE: On the RH side, there is the powertrain coolant return hose and the powertrain coolant side sill return hose.
  37. Install the rear drive unit ground strap to the body stud, and then install the nut that attaches the ground strap to the stud.

    10 N.m (7.4 ft-lbs) 

    G15102321Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  38. Install the LH and RH rear wheel arch liners. See Wheel Arch Liner - Rear - LH (Remove and Replace) .
  39. Install the rear fascia diffuser. See Diffuser - Rear Fascia (Remove and Replace) .
  40. Install the mid aero shield panel. See Panel - Aero Shield - Mid (Remove and Replace) .
  41. Install the rear wheels. See Wheel (Remove and Install) .
  42. Connect LV power. See LV Power (Disconnect and Connect) .
  43. Engage the electronic parking brake. See Park Brake Caliper - Release - Toolbox .
  44. Connect a laptop with Toolbox 3 to the vehicle. See Toolbox 3 (Connect and Disconnect) .
  45. Perform a cooling system air purge. See Cooling System (Partial Refill and Bleed) .
  46. Disconnect the laptop with Toolbox 3 from the vehicle. See Toolbox 3 (Connect and Disconnect) .
  47. Install the rear underhood apron. See Underhood Apron - Rear (Remove and Replace) .
  48. Remove the vehicle from the 2 post lift. See Raise Vehicle - 2 Post Lift .
  49. Refer to the Alignment Requirement tables to determine if an alignment check (AC) or full adjustment (FA) is necessary. See Alignment Requirement - Suspension .
scientia non olet · About LEMON Manuals