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Home >> Tesla >> 2022 >> Model 3 Performance >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Hybrid/Electric Powertrain >> Electric Motor Systems >> Front Drive Unit -- Model 3 >> Front Drive Unit Assembly >> Drive Unit - Front - Remove and Replace >> Remove
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Drive Unit - Front - Remove and Replace: Remove

  1. Move the vehicle to a 2 post lift. See RAISE VEHICLE - 2 POST LIFT .
  2. Connect a laptop with Toolbox 3 to the vehicle.
  3. In Toolbox 3, click the Dashboards  tab, and type 'Front Drive Unit Replacement' into the search field.
  4. Click Front Drive Unit Replacement  , from the Before Front Drive Unit Replacement Action List, click Start Thermal Fluid Fill/Drain (Coolant only)  , click Run  , and then allow the routine to complete.
  5. Disconnect the laptop with Toolbox 3 from the vehicle.
    NOTE: Do not close this instance of Toolbox 3 as it is needed later on in the procedure.
  6. Use a steering wheel lock to firmly set the steering wheel in the straight forward position.
    G14750009Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  7. Disconnect LV power. See 12V/LV POWER (DISCONNECT AND CONNECT) .
  8. Perform the vehicle electrical isolation procedure. See VEHICLE ELECTRICAL ISOLATION PROCEDURE .
  9. Remove the underhood storage unit. See UNDERHOOD STORAGE UNIT (REMOVE AND REPLACE) .
  10. Remove the bolt that attaches the intermediate shaft to the steering gear, and then slide the intermediate shaft upwards to remove it from the steering gear.
    NOTE: Heat Pump Model 3
    G14750010Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    G14750011Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    NOTE: Model 3
    G14750012Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    G14750013Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  11. Disconnect the electrical harness from the front subframe electrical harness.
    G14750014Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  12. Slide the red tab to unlock, press the connector release, and then disconnect the electrical harness from the steering gear power connectors (x2).
    G14750015Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  13. Model 3 -  Pull the grey tab to unlock, then pull the grey tab again to disconnect the electrical harness from the LV logic connectors (x2) at the steering gear.
    G14750016Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  14. Remove the front LH and RH wheels. See WHEEL (REMOVE AND INSTALL) .
  15. Remove the front aero shield panel. See PANEL - AERO SHIELD - FRONT (REMOVE AND REPLACE) .
  16. Remove the front fascia. See FASCIA - FRONT (REMOVE AND INSTALL) .
  17. Remove the front subframe. See SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY - FRONT (DUAL MOTOR) (REMOVE AND INSTALL) .
  18. Move a coolant catcher under the front subframe and fixture assembly.
    G14750017Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  19. Release the clip, disconnect the front drive unit inverter to heat exchanger hose from the front drive unit inverter outlet, plug the inverter fitting, and then allow the hose to drain.
    NOTE: Use a foldable funnel to direct flow.
    NOTE: Heat Pump Model 3
    G14750018Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    NOTE: Model 3
    G14750019Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  20. Release the clip, disconnect the front drive unit inverter to heat exchanger hose from the front drive unit heat exchanger, plug the heat exchanger fitting, and then allow the hose to drain.
    NOTE: Use a foldable funnel to direct flow.
    NOTE: Heat Pump Model 3
    G14750020Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    NOTE: Model 3
    G14750021Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  21. Release the clips (x2) that attach the front drive unit inverter to heat exchanger hose to the front drive unit, and then remove the hose from the front drive unit.
    NOTE: Heat Pump Model 3
    G14750022Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    NOTE: Model 3
    G14750023Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  22. Release the clip, disconnect the front drive unit inverter inlet hose from the front drive unit inverter inlet, plug the inverter fitting, and then allow the hose to drain.
    NOTE: Use a foldable funnel to direct flow.
    G14750024Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  23. Release the clips (x2) that attach the front drive unit inverter inlet hose to the front drive unit, and then remove the hose from the drive unit.
    G14750025Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  24. Release the locking tab, push the handle downward, and then disconnect the subframe electrical harness from the front drive unit inverter logic connector.
    G14750026Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  25. Release the clips (x2) that attach the subframe electrical harness to the inverter.
    G14750027Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  26. Release the clip that attaches the subframe electrical harness to the front drive unit motor.
    NOTE: Heat Pump Model 3
    G14750028Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    NOTE: Model 3
    G14750029Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  27. Pull the red locking tab out of the connector, and then pull the red tab again to disconnect the subframe electrical harness from the oil pump connector.
    G14750030Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  28. Use the halfshaft removal cable with the slide hammer to loosen the LH front halfshaft from the front drive unit, and then fold the LH knuckle outward to remove the halfshaft from the drive unit.
    G14750031Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  29. Use the halfshaft removal cable with the slide hammer to loosen the RH front halfshaft from the front drive unit, and then fold the RH knuckle outward to remove the halfshaft from the drive unit.
    G14750032Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  30. Move the subframe lifting tool to under the gantry.
    G14750033Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  31. Use the shackles (x3) to attach the drive unit sling tool to the front drive unit.
    G14750034Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  32. Attach the drive unit sling tool to the gantry.
    G14750035Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  33. Use the gantry to raise the drive unit sling tool so that there is slight tension in the cables.
    G14750036Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  34. Remove the bolt that attaches the front drive unit to the front of the front subframe.
    NOTE: Raise or lower the drive unit sling tool to aid in removing the bolt.
    G14750037Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  35. With the help of an assistant, use the gantry to raise the drive unit sling tool, guide halfshafts away from the front drive unit, and separate the front drive unit up from the front subframe.
    NOTE: Make sure that the front drive unit rear support posts are not moved out of their current position
    G14750038Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  36. Move the front subframe and subframe lift out from underneath the front drive unit.
    G14750039Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  37. Set the front drive unit down onto an appropriate surface, continue lowering to put slack into the drive sling tool cables, and then remove the shackles (x3) from the drive unit.
    G14750040Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  38. Open the crate for the new front drive unit, remove the protective covers from the new drive unit, and transfer them to the old drive unit.
    G14750041Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    G14750042Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    G14750043Courtesy of TESLA, INC.