Strutmasters Control Arms

[nathancard]

My front control arm bushings are starting to go out on my 2014 MS, so I started looking around for replacements. Through Tesla, I am looking at just over $1500 in parts for all 6 pieces. I ran across a site called Strutmasters where the same parts with shipping are only $760.

Has anyone here actually ordered the control arms from Strutmasters? If so are they comparable quality, or am I just better off ordering direct from Tesla?

 

[cleverscreenam]

I too would like to know, any brands not just Strutmasters. Both eBay and Rockauto have several aftermarket brands, and the Delphi and Mevotech brands have limited lifetime warranties, so I'm ordering those. Such a warranty tells me how much faith these companies have in the arms they are manufacturing.

 

[jgatl]

I just ordered Sidem parts for my 2013 MS off eBay, after reading this thread that the Beck Arnley arms are actually Sidem arms. The Sidem has the redesigned ball joint on the track (lower) control arms. $784 with taxes and shipping for 6 total parts (2 upper control arms, 2 lower control arms, 2 rear track control arms).

Rather than the weak link of a pressed-in ball joint in the track control arm of these Tesla cars, Sidem’s replacement track control arm is 1 part functioning with maximum strength. The ball joint cannot get detached when it is subject to high impact. As a result, a safe installation is guaranteed for the mechanic and the driver.

The Sidem, unlike the Medvotech, does not include bolts. See below for the bolts, washers and nuts you will need from service center, assuming you are replacing all 3 arms (upper control arm, lower track arm and the rear track control arm) on both sides:

1004357 - bolt M10x1.5x100 [10.9] DP Znal-W (4)
2007059 - nut, M10x1.50mm (4)
1004350 - bolt Btnhd M10x1.50x57 [10.9] Znal-W (2)
1004351 - nut HF M10x1.50 [10] Znal-W (2)
2007108 - bolt H cam M14x2.00x114 [10.9]-G270 (2)
2007115 - washer cam M14x38x6x2.5[10]-G270 (2)
1006484 - nut CLN Hex M14X2.0 [10] Znal-W (4)
2007106 - bolt H cam M14X2.00X114 [10.9]-G720 (2)
2007107 - washer cam M14X32X3X2.5 [10]-G720 (2)

Finally parts cross reference. This is for the RWD MS 2013-2016, but confirm using epc.tesla.com for your MS.

 

[jgatl]

Here are the Medvotech torque specs. They recommend replacing all bolts, nuts and cam washers at the same time. See list in prior post.

https://www.mevotech.com/tips-practices/front-upper-control-arm-installation-2020-2012-tesla-model-s/

https://www.mevotech.com/tips-practices/front-lower-forward-and-front-lower-rearward-control-arm-installation-2020-2012-tesla-model-s-2021-2016-tesla-model-x/

I couldn't find any mention of lifetime warranty for Sidem and Beck-Arnley. Beck-Arnley transfers warranty obligations to the retailer, per their website. Medvotech states they have a limited lifetime warranty from product defects, through the retailer, limited to a single owner (non-transferrable). If you are purchasing Beck-Arnley or Medvotech parts, I'd get it in writing from the retailer how to submit those parts through the warranty process.

 

[jgatl]

Two additions for anyone replacing the lower control arms (fore and aft).

First, you will need 2 more bolts and nuts in addition to the parts list above (to attach the air shocks to the lower aft/rear arms). See below

1. 1056323-00-A - Bolt HF M14X102 PC109 (2)
2. 2007073 - Nut HF M14X2.00 [10]-G720 (2)

Tesla's EPC lists two different length bolts, but no explanation what model year (2012-2016) introduced the change. The shorter bolt (94 vs 102mm) is PN 1008614-00-C - Bolt, M14X2.00X94 (2). I'd recommend measuring the bolts to determine which one you need. 94mm = ~3 11/16", 102mm = ~4"

Second, I'd recommend replacing the left and right stabilizer bars. The ball joint bushings on my left and right stabilizer bars were shot. They are very simple to replace (while you are doing everything else). See below for the cross reference. Rock Auto has the Mevotechs in stock and I received them in 1 day with $7 extra for 1 day ground shipping. Note that this is a cross reference for RWD MS. The PN is different for the Dual Motor MS (the Dual Motor stabilizer bars are straight). Sidem's site has a good illustration of the two different stabilizer bars for RWD vs Dual Motor.

Description	Tesla PN	Sidem PN	Beck-Arnley PN	Medvotech PN
Left stabilizer Bar End Link / Bushing	1043996	15060	101-8541	MS95808
Right stabilizer Bar End Link / Bushing	1047896	15061	101-8542	MS95809

It appears that the Sidem, Beck Arnley and Mevotech stablizer bars come with nuts to attach them to the rest of the stabilization bar. You will have to order the nuts if you purchase the Tesla stabilizer bars. You'll need 4 nuts (2 connections for each side).

2007090-00-C - Nut HF M10X1.25 PC10 PTP Colored (4)