Time to replace upper-control arm ball joints

[android04]

Surprised at the times people are mentioning. This should be a <1 hour affair.

Not when you consider that Tesla also does a 4 wheel alignment when replacing one of these control arms. Also, they don't always start working on your car right away when you drop it off, and some cars have multiple issues to address at the same visit.

 

[Skione65]

Two questions arise.......what about those with MPP coilovers.....and/or control arm mods......will those void warranty coverage of this? AND if not what is the cost of this parts/labor if out of pocket?

Ski

 

[SK360]

It probably depends on a lot of things, but I'd say minimum of 2 hours. It took them 7 hours to do mine. Keep in mind that they also do a four wheel alignment after replacing it.

Not when you consider that Tesla also does a 4 wheel alignment when replacing one of these control arms. Also, they don't always start working on your car right away when you drop it off, and some cars have multiple issues to address at the same visit.

Not sure why unless they accidentally touch the toe adjustment, there's nothing else alignable on these cars

 

[Dolemite]

Not sure why unless they accidentally touch the toe adjustment, there's nothing else alignable on these cars

Same here - I'm guessing they're operating under the assumption that if something load-bearing like the the control arm had an issue, an alignment is in order. New part may also have slightly different specs?

 

[TLLMRRJ]

Not sure why unless they accidentally touch the toe adjustment, there's nothing else alignable on these cars

If you look at the shop manual, you'll see that there is plenty to adjust beyond the toe on the front and rear suspension. Don't believe what you hear from service centers or the interwebs.

 

[SK360]

If you look at the shop manual, you'll see that there is plenty to adjust beyond the toe on the front and rear suspension. Don't believe what you hear from service centers or the interwebs.

Link? I'm under my car once a week since it gets raced on the weekends. I don't see any eccentrics or adjustable items unless we're talking about something like loosening the strut tower bolts and trying to push them further in the factory bolt holes.

 

[TX_M3P+]

Anyone have to do this repair out of warranty? If so, mind sharing the cost?

 

[toolman335]

Wow, I have a 1/18 model 3 also, 25,000.
Tesla never told me those need replacement

It's still a car. There are MANY structural parts that will break or wear out. There's no way to rattle off the complete list.

 

[Dolemite]

If you look at the shop manual, you'll see that there is plenty to adjust beyond the toe on the front and rear suspension. Don't believe what you hear from service centers or the interwebs.

Link? I'm under my car once a week since it gets raced on the weekends. I don't see any eccentrics or adjustable items unless we're talking about something like loosening the strut tower bolts and trying to push them further in the factory bolt holes.

That's what he's referring to - the play you get from loosening stuff like knuckle bolts etc. Not sure what it amounts to, but it's probably not much more than "a little bit" of adjustment.

 

[gaswalla]

Two questions arise.......what about those with MPP coilovers.....and/or control arm mods......will those void warranty coverage of this? AND if not what is the cost of this parts/labor if out of pocket?

Ski

Paid $478 for one side (Tesla covered the other side out of embarrassment)

 

[Noodles]

2ish hours to take off and install, 45 day wait for a service appointment, and 2 weeks to get parts

FACTS

 

[McFlurri]

FACTS

ALTERNATIVE FACTS

 

[Skione65]

Paid $478 for one side (Tesla covered the other side out of embarrassment)

That’s not bad...Just read a Reddit post of a guy that had to pay $675 for this out of warranty.

Ski

 

[G26okie]

Paid $478 for one side (Tesla covered the other side out of embarrassment)

Hopefully the newer parts don't crap out earlier than almost every other car.

 

[camthehombre]

Is there an easy way to see the part number without disassembling everything? I ask because I bought the car used and I'm curious if they've already been replaced from the previous owner and Tesla won't tell me. Not sure if there is a way to see if from above if removing the frunk liner or what is the best way to go about that.

 

[android04]

Is there an easy way to see the part number without disassembling everything? I ask because I bought the car used and I'm curious if they've already been replaced from the previous owner and Tesla won't tell me. Not sure if there is a way to see if from above if removing the frunk liner or what is the best way to go about that.

I believe there's a sticker with the part number on the top section. You can use an inspection mirror or your smartphone to take a picture. If the sticker has been there a good amount of time, it will probably not be readable anymore because it's not waterproof. I don't remember the exact location of the sticker, but it might also be readable from the top of the strut tower mounts where there is a removable plastic cover.

Honestly I wouldn't worry about it, just plan on replacing them in the future if they fail and budget for it.

 

[Dolemite]

I believe there's a sticker with the part number on the top section. You can use an inspection mirror or your smartphone to take a picture. If the sticker has been there a good amount of time, it will probably not be readable anymore because it's not waterproof. I don't remember the exact location of the sticker, but it might also be readable from the top of the strut tower mounts where there is a removable plastic cover.

Honestly I wouldn't worry about it, just plan on replacing them in the future if they fail and budget for it.

Yeah that's where it is, looks like I'm on G. Build date 7/2019. Seems like they're on H now:

 

[kwest2]

My mobile service invoice from early June showed replacement part -G.

 

[G26okie]

Just checked mine, build date 10/2019 revision G

 

[android04]

I also got revision -G in early July. If my other one fails after warranty, I'm just going to get the MPP ones and put them in myself.