LEMON Manuals: Even more car manuals for everyone: 1960-2025
Home >> Tesla >> 2023 >> Model 3 Base >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Hybrid/Electric Powertrain >> Electric Motor Systems >> Front Drive Unit -- Model 3 >> Front Drive Unit Assembly >> Drive Unit - Front - Remove and Replace >> Install
April 5, 2026: LEMON Manuals is launched! Read the announcement.

Drive Unit - Front - Remove and Replace: Install

NOTE: New front drive units come prefilled with gearbox fluid. Clean up any leaks during installation and top off the gearbox fluid as necessary.
  1. Move the gantry to the new front drive unit.
  2. Use the shackles (x3) to attach the drive unit sling tool to the new front drive unit.
    G14750044Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  3. Use the gantry to raise the drive unit sling tool so that there is slight tension in the cables.
    G14750045Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  4. Remove the bolts (x3) that attach the new front drive unit to the front drive unit crate.
    G14750046Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    G14750047Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  5. Raise the new front drive unit out of the front drive unit crate.
    G14750048Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  6. Move the front subframe and subframe lift to underneath the new front drive unit.
    G14750049Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  7. With the help of an assistant, use the gantry to lower the drive unit sling tool, guide halfshafts away from the new front drive unit, and lower the new front drive unit into the front subframe.
    NOTE: Make sure that the front drive unit rear support posts are in the same position as when the old front drive unit was lifted.
    G14750050Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  8. Install the bolt that attaches the new front drive unit to the front of the front subframe.

    80 N.m (59.0 ft-lbs) 

    NOTE: Raise and lower the new front drive unit as necessary to ease installation of the bolt.
    G14750051Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  9. Lower the drive unit sling tool to put slack into the drive sling tool cables.
    G14750052Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  10. Open the shackles (x3) and remove the drive unit sling tool from the new front drive unit.
    G14750053Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  11. Move the gantry back to the old drive unit.
  12. Use the shackles (x3) to attach the drive unit sling tool to the old front drive unit.
    G14750054Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  13. Use the gantry to raise the drive unit sling tool, and then move the front drive unit crate to under the old front drive unit.
    G14750055Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  14. Carefully lower the old front drive unit into the crate.
    G14750056Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  15. Install and hand-tighten the bolts (x3) that attach the old front drive unit to the front drive unit crate.
    G14750057Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    G14750058Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  16. Lower the drive unit sling tool to release tension in the cables, and then remove the sling tool from the gantry.
    G14750059Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  17. Open the shackles (x3) and remove the drive unit sling tool from the old front drive unit.
    G14750060Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  18. Close the crate and prepare for shipment to MRB.
  19. Align the splines of the RH halfshaft with those of the differential in the front drive unit and carefully insert the halfshaft into the drive unit with a clockwise-counterclockwise rocking motion.
    CAUTION: Do not force the insertion of the halfshaft. If the halfshaft seems difficult to insert, back out, rotate the halfshaft about 10 to 20 degrees, and try again.
    G14750061Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  20. Fold the RH knuckle inward and continue to install the RH front halfshaft into the front drive unit until a click is heard when the halfshaft fully engages the circlip inside the differential.
    CAUTION: Do not force the insertion of the halfshaft. Make sure that the halfshaft enters the drive unit straight on. If the halfshaft seems difficult to insert, back out, rotate the halfshaft about 10 to 20 degrees, align the halfshaft straight on, and try again.
    NOTE: Pull back on the halfshaft where it enters the front drive unit, to verify that it is secure in the drive unit.
    G14750062Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    G14750063Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  21. Align the splines of the LH halfshaft with those of the differential in the front drive unit and carefully insert the halfshaft into the drive unit with a clockwise-counterclockwise rocking motion.
    CAUTION: Do not force the insertion of the halfshaft. If the halfshaft seems difficult to insert, back out, rotate the halfshaft about 10 to 20 degrees, and try again.
    G14750064Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  22. Fold the LH knuckle inward and continue to install the LH front halfshaft into the front drive unit until a click is heard when the halfshaft fully engages the circlip inside the differential.
    CAUTION: Do not force the insertion of the halfshaft. Make sure that the halfshaft enters the drive unit straight on. If the halfshaft seems difficult to insert, back out, rotate the halfshaft about 10 to 20 degrees, align the halfshaft straight on, and try again.
    NOTE: Pull back on the halfshaft where it enters the front drive unit, to verify that it is secure in the drive unit.
    G14750065Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    G14750066Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  23. Connect the subframe electrical harness to the oil pump connector, and then press the red locking tab into the connector.
    G14750067Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  24. Fasten the clip that attaches the subframe electrical harness to the front drive unit motor.
    NOTE: Heat Pump Model 3
    G14750068Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    NOTE: Model 3
    G14750069Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  25. Fasten the clips (x2) that attach the subframe electrical harness to the inverter.
    G14750070Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  26. Connect the subframe electrical harness to the front drive unit inverter logic connector, raise the handle upward, and then fasten the locking tab.
    G14750071Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  27. Install the front drive unit inverter inlet hose to the front drive unit, and then fasten the clips (x2) that attach the hose to the drive unit.
    G14750072Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  28. Connect the front drive unit inverter inlet hose to the front drive unit inverter inlet, fasten the clip, and then perform a Push-Pull-Push check of the fitting.
    G14750073Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  29. Install the front drive unit inverter to heat exchanger hose to the front drive unit, and then fasten the clips (x2) that attach the hose to the drive unit.
    NOTE: Heat Pump Model 3
    G14750074Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    NOTE: Model 3
    G14750075Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  30. Connect the front drive unit inverter to heat exchanger hose to the front drive unit heat exchanger, fasten the clip, and then perform a Push-Pull-Push check of the fitting.
    NOTE: Heat Pump Model 3
    G14750076Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    NOTE: Model 3
    G14750077Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  31. Connect the front drive unit inverter to heat exchanger hose to the front drive unit inverter outlet, fasten the clip, and then perform a Push-Pull-Push check of the fitting.
    NOTE: Heat Pump Model 3
    G14750078Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    NOTE: Model 3
    G14750079Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  32. Install the front subframe. See SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY - FRONT (DUAL MOTOR) (REMOVE AND INSTALL) .
  33. Install the front fascia. See FASCIA - FRONT (REMOVE AND INSTALL) .
  34. Install the front aero shield panel. See PANEL - AERO SHIELD - FRONT (REMOVE AND REPLACE) .
  35. Install the front LH and RH wheels. See WHEEL (REMOVE AND INSTALL) .
  36. Model 3 -  Connect the electrical harness to the LV logic connectors (x2) at the steering gear, and then push the grey tabs to lock the connectors.
    G14750080Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  37. Connect the electrical harness to the steering gear power connectors (x2), and then slide the red tab to lock the connectors.
    G14750081Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  38. Model 3 -  Connect the electrical harness to the front subframe electrical harness.
    G14750082Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  39. Slide the intermediate shaft down onto the steering gear, and then install the bolt that attaches the intermediate shaft to the steering gear.

    18 N.m (13.3 ft-lbs) 

    NOTE: Heat Pump Model 3
    G14750083Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    G14750084Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    NOTE: Model 3
    G14750085Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
    G14750086Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  40. Install the underhood storage unit. See UNDERHOOD STORAGE UNIT (REMOVE AND REPLACE) .
  41. Perform a cooling system vacuum refill. See COOLING SYSTEM (VACUUM REFILL) .
  42. Connect LV power. See 12V/LV POWER (DISCONNECT AND CONNECT) .
  43. Remove the steering wheel lock from the steering wheel.
    G14750087Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  44. Connect the laptop with Toolbox 3.
  45. In Toolbox 3, from the After Front Drive Unit Replacement Action List, click Stop Thermal Fluid Fill/Drain  , click Run  , and then allow the routine to complete.
  46. From the After Front Drive Unit Replacement Action List, click Service CAN Redeploy  , click Run  , and then allow the routine to complete.
  47. From the After Front Drive Unit Replacement Action List, click Coolant Air Purge  , click RUN  , and then allow the routine to complete.
  48. Inspect the coolant level and top up if necessary. See COOLING SYSTEM (CHECK AND FILL) .
  49. From the After Front Drive Unit Replacement Action List, click Thermal System Performance Test  , click Run  , and then allow the routine to complete.
  50. Disconnect the laptop with Toolbox 3 from the vehicle.
  51. Install the rear underhood apron. See UNDERHOOD APRON - REAR (REMOVE AND REPLACE) .
  52. For China, Japan and Korea only: Carefully remove the old motor label from the hood, and install a new motor label to match the new motor information.
  53. Remove the vehicle from the 2 post lift. See RAISE VEHICLE - 2 POST LIFT .
  54. Check the vehicle wheel alignment, and adjust if necessary. See FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK .
scientia non olet · About LEMON Manuals