2015 Model S lower ishaft (u-joint) replacement with pictures, Stiff joint, Stiff steering, protective boot installed

[GioTurbatu]

I managed to replaced my lower I-shaft on my 2015 Model S 85D, custom job adding the protective boot. My steering was stiff and while I was on auto-pilot it had a play in the steering, about 5 degrees. The play turned out to be that the lower bolt on the lower i-shaft loosened. The stiffness was due to salt getting into the lower u-joint. As the saying goes "a picture is worth a thousand words" I spared myself from all the typing. I hope this helps someone. I am not responsible for what you do to your vehicle. Just telling my story.

If you want to skip on some fun you can have Tesla do it for you. Lower are the charge times for the service.

Lets begin. The parts needed.

Cost was about $280 for the ishaft and about $10 for the boot

 

[GioTurbatu]

remove the bolt from the upper u-joint

 

[GioTurbatu]

 

[GioTurbatu]

That was my story so far. I will revisit and update if anything else comes up. Not a super difficult job. Patience and some courage.

 

[houstonian]

Excellent write up. Most informative.

 

[Gtech]

Thank you for taking the time to make this DIY, it will surely help many other people one day

 

[Ostrichsak]

Very informative. Thanks for sharing!

Fortunately Tesla here in the states does a flat $350 (plus tax) USD for both front half-shafts w/labor. Just had that done in our P100D and was quite happy that was all it cost. In years past I was more adventurous and have been known to do stuff like this myself so for people like that this is great information.

 

[KalJoMoS]

Sorry, can’t seem to follow but where did you put the Moog part? Is it on the same place as on the second photo of post #1?

 

[mulp]

Very informative. Thanks for sharing!

Fortunately Tesla here in the states does a flat $350 (plus tax) USD for both front half-shafts w/labor. Just had that done in our P100D and was quite happy that was all it cost. In years past I was more adventurous and have been known to do stuff like this myself so for people like that this is great information.

Does the half shaft include the I-shaft? sorry if the is a silly question, I couldn't find anything in my search. Thanks!

 

[GioTurbatu]

Sorry, can’t seem to follow but where did you put the Moog part? Is it on the same place as on the second photo of post #1?

Yes, You slide the booth over your new part to cover the u-joint.

 

[Julian Hsu]

Hey GioTurbatu,


Thanks for all the information! I followed along and swab the old link to a new one.

1. I need to lower the actual Steering Column in order to plug the i-shaft back to the column after replacing the part (u-joint)
(So how did you do it without lowering the Steering Column?)

2. Since I was probably lost with the steering wheel position while disassembling the I-shaft despite marked the joint with marker pen. Now, park assist, stability control and traction control are all gone. I think I have messed up the Steering Angle Sensor. What can I do to re-calibrate?

3. All buttons on the steering wheel including the Horn are gone too. Can you advise on what possibly I have done wrong?


Your information and instructions are spot on! Thanks you very much!

 

[Julian Hsu]

Hey GioTurbatu,


Thanks for all the information! I followed along and swab the old link to a new one.

1. I need to lower the actual Steering Column in order to plug the i-shaft back to the column after replacing the part (u-joint)
(So how did you do it without lowering the Steering Column?)

2. Since I was probably lost with the steering wheel position while disassembling the I-shaft despite marked the joint with marker pen. Now, park assist, stability control and traction control are all gone. I think I have messed up the Steering Angle Sensor. What can I do to re-calibrate?

3. All buttons on the steering wheel including the Horn are gone too. Can you advise on what possibly I have done wrong?


Your information and instructions are spot on! Thanks you very much!

Also, steering assist reduced

 

[Julian Hsu]

Also, steering assist reduced

 

[David Harvey]

An excellent write up, many thanks. Have you done many other jobs on your S?

 

[Julian Hsu]

An excellent write up, many thanks. Have you done many other jobs on your S?

Trying on front half shaft replacement lol doing my own research at the moment

 

[Nico93]

View attachment 984828

Hi! i'm experiencing the same problem
they told me that they broke a sensor in the steering wheel and they are going to replace it for free
i drove home without any problem (they told me to avoid to use the car due to the stability control being disabled) but the car was working good
today i had to use the car again for just 4km but it was unusable, it goes jerky, the accelerator responds jerky, i accelerate and the car accelerates and stops accelerating jerky


did you expericend the same? i'm scary that the problel is related to the sensor and the disabled control or is something else
thanks!