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Home >> Tesla >> 2021 >> Model S Performance >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 65 (Rear Drive Unit -- Model S) >> Rear Drive Unit Assembly >> Drive Unit - Rear - Small - Remove And Install >> Installation
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Drive Unit - Rear - Small - Remove And Install: Installation

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CAUTION: Replace all patchbolt(s).
CAUTION: Replace all nylon-insert locknuts.
  1. Attach the blue, red, and yellow sling mounts of the sling tool to the replacement small rear drive unit.
    G14982649Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    G14982650Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    1  Red sling mount
    2  Blue sling mount
    3  Yellow sling mount
    NOTE: When securing the yellow sling mount, use the hoist ring with the sleeve spacer.
    G14982651Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    1  Sleeve spacer
  2. Secure the sling tool to the gantry.
  3. Lift the replacement small rear drive unit out of the shipping crate and position it into the subframe.
    NOTE: When lowering the small rear drive unit into the subframe, do not align the rear mount on the small rear drive unit with the mounting hole in the rear subframe. Instead, pull the rear mount beyond the rear subframe. This provides enough clearance for the front of the small rear drive unit to rotate into position as the rear subframe is lowered.
    G14982652Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  4. Remove the sling tool from the gantry, and from the replacement small rear drive unit.
  5. Install the bolt that secures the front of the drive unit to the rear subframe (torque 90 N.m).
  6. Install the bolt that secures the rear of the drive unit to the rear subframe (torque 90 N.m).
  7. Install the LH side motor mount to the rear subframe, and then install the bolt that attaches the motor mount to the subframe (torque 90 N.m).
  8. Raise the LH side of the small rear drive unit, and then install the 3 bolts that secure the LH side motor mount to the small rear drive unit (torque 22 N.m).
  9. Insert the fluid pump through the axle seal and fill the drive unit with 2, 250 ml of the recommended fluid. Refer to Fluids .
    NOTE: Pump fluid into the drive unit slowly.
    G14982653Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  10. Position the NVH pad over the small rear drive unit.
  11. Fasten the clip that attaches the NVH pad to the LH side motor mount.
    G14982654Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  12. Fasten the hook-and-loop straps that attach the NVH pad.
  13. Install a new cable tie to attach the NVH pad to the small rear drive unit.
    G14982655Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  14. Align the LH halfshaft so that the opening in the snap ring is down, facing towards the bottom of the small rear drive unit.
  15. Insert the LH halfshaft into the small rear drive unit.
    NOTE: Do not damage or displace the oil seal.
  16. Carefully push the LH halfshaft into the small rear drive unit until there is an audible "click" from the halfshaft stub contacting the pinion shaft.
    NOTE: There will be a slight pulling sensation on the halfshaft as the halfshaft circlip locks into place.
  17. Pull on the LH inner halfshaft cup to confirm that the LH halfshaft circlip is locked into place.
    NOTE: If the halfshaft detaches from the small rear drive unit, repeat from step  14 and then test that the halfshaft is fully seated.
    G14982656Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  18. Repeat step  14 through  17 for the RH halfshaft.
  19. On each side of the rear subframe, install the bolt that attaches the toe link to the knuckle (torque 130 N.m).
  20. On each side of the rear subframe, install the bolt that attaches the upper link to the knuckle (torque 140 N.m).
  21. On each side of the rear subframe, fasten the 2 grommets that secure the wheel speed sensor harness.
    G14982657Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  22. Install the 2 coolant hoses to the RH side of the small rear drive unit.
    G14982658Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  23. Install the 2 coolant hoses to the front LH side of the small rear drive unit.
    G14982659Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  24. Remove the plugs from the holes for the HV cables.
  25. At the front of the small rear drive unit, install the bolt that attaches the coolant hose bracket to the small rear drive unit (torque 5.5 N.m).
    G14982660Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  26. Fasten the clip that attaches the low voltage harness to the coolant hoses.
    G14982661Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  27. Fasten the clip that attaches the coolant hoses to the rear subframe.
    G14982662Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  28. Remove the coolant catcher from under the subframe fixture.
  29. Return the subframe fixture and transmission jack to the work area.
  30. Carefully inspect the connector seals of the HV cables. If any are damaged, replace them.
  31. Apply P-80 emulsion to the connector seals of the HV cables.
    CAUTION: Do not apply P-80 emulsion to the HV terminals.
    G14982663Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  32. Install the rear subframe. See Small RDU .
    CAUTION: Only fully tighten the suspension bushing bolts when the vehicle is in ride height position.
  33. If both the front and rear drive units were removed at the same time, the vacuum refill tool must be used to refill the cooling system. See Cooling System - Vacuum Refill .
  34. If only the rear small rear drive unit was removed, bleed the cooling system. See Cooling System - Partial Refill and Bleed .
  35. Use the sling tool and gantry to lift the old small rear drive unit off the pallet and into the shipping crate.
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