Clunk from front wheels. Sway bar links?

[Cheburashka]

How do you check for sway bar link play on this car?

2016.5 Model S with coils and I'm hearing quiet clunks when going over bumps.

I suspect the sway bar links. Anyone know what the best way of checking these are? I have a jack.

 

[Takumi]

Could be ball joints too. Youtube is great for that.

 

[Newscutter]

Should be everything you need to know here:

TeslaPittsburgh.com: Tesla Model S sway bar link replacement and suspension system walkthrough, common failures explained

In the video-- at about 6:30 -- you can see the leverage points I used to verify the links were bad. While you *CAN* hear it if you listen carefully, I found that having my hand over the joint was a LOT easier to confirm it had play. Fingers (in my case) are more sensitive than my ears.

It is not possible to "exercise" the joint enough while on the car to see the split boot. The picture of it off the car is with the link at its maximum articulation and I don't think you can do that with the car on a jack.

 

[No CO2]

I had a similar clunk, and split boot on one of the sway bar links. Aug 2013 build.

I replaced both sides, for $50 each in parts, $100 total. Simple fix...it took me 1-1/2 hours to do both sides.


Put car in Jack mode
Put one wheel on jack stand
Use floor jack to support whole steering assembly and ball joints
Remove top bolt of sway bar
Remove bottom bolt by inserting allen wrench in the middle while turning the nut
Use hammer to bang out top screw
Jack up suspension to align new part