Replacing the Front Control Arms on a Tesla Model S Nightmare

[@Gromble1991]

As a tech working in Tesla (not in the country of freedom) it was really funny watching as you figure things out. Good job, well done!

[@AutoAuctionRebuilds]

Thanks! 👍

[@djgoode]

@@AutoAuctionRebuilds what you called impact sensors are the can control modules.

[@teslataxi4546]

Is this the same way a Tesla Tech would swap the bars as well, same process?

[@gustavgron2252]

I have a Model S 85D 2015 and just changed a lot of control arms, including the upper front control arm. The technician told me its a mercedes part and they are known to rust even on a Merc. Good thing to get a new one, it will fix the knocking sound when you drive over a bump or hole in the road.

[@therealchayd]

Pleased to see that throwing hard to remove suspension components at the floor after removal seems to be a universal thing (ideally should be supplemented with a victorious primal roar for especially difficult components.) Spent three hours yesterday trying to shift two seriously seized in ball joints, so appreciate this video 😂

[@xenixrahl4409]

Dude, your dedication to getting this figured out, and done yourself is amazing! I can't imagine how frustrating it was at times

[@rh8611]

Wow a lot of work but not impossible. Thanks for all the insights

[@slartybartfarst9737]

To remove frozen ball joints on lower control arms BEFORE you do anything else BREAK FREE by loosening off the nuts and lower the vehicle weight onto a jack placed under the ball joint so that the full vehicle weight will press up the joint. Shock the side of the arm if that 2,2 ton dont get it straight away. Anytime your hammering UP think just use the vehicle weight. Very informative video.

[@williamfederle5119]

That hurt just to watch. I had three Fiero's (one a parts-donor car) and every time I worked on them I came away with scratched up hands. You could definitely work on a Fiero. You are a real good trouble-shooter and problem solver.

[@ronwig7665]

Randy I give you a big 👍up for the work you did on that car

[@jean-marcandjoshua-petsjournal]

Great work. Tenacity paid off.

[@Juane400]

You should buy a right angle impact for those tight spots where you cannot fit a regular impact. Definitely is on my next purchase for tools

[@sjefvanmerrienboer6372]

you are a hero !! Doing this with bare hands, incredible. What a patience, what a courage ! Thanks. I now understand when the garage that services my model s that I have since 2/2014 what they have to do to earn their money. Thank you very much. By the way, I only drive my car in spring, summer and autumn. No salty streets my car has ever seen !

[@richardp3890]

Tomorrow my 2017 Model S will have its front suspension arms replaced (both sides). The estimated cost; 3000 CND $ and 4 hours of work. I wish I would be equiped and skilled enough to do it myself! Thanks for taking the time to show us your great work.

[@Saltcitysneakerheads]

Trust me you are. I just got quoted 2000$ to replace my sway bar links and my upper control arms. Sent em all to hell. Instead I bought both upper control arms for 200$ and both sway bar links for 30$ Bought me a set of basic tools ( sockets, wrenches, pliers, basic things maybe 200$ if that ) over the weekend I looked at the car watched some videos And boom got it done myself! ( currently writing this on the side of the road since my tire flew off ) 😂 jk but really easy just need a little strength, motivation and common sense.

[@EricDrummondBPCP]

I have to say it bro I enjoy all the content you drop, but there’s just something about when you when you’re working in the garage is my favorite type of content that and when you find a really good deal at the Copart walk around but like really good. Like that all pink 3500 on that lifted suspension with those crazy tires. I hope you get that bro. Anyway, let me dive into this Tesla video. I’m going to get me one one day. Keep up the great work bro have a good one and you know I’ll be around to catch you on the next.

[@JackDidley-k8x]

Good stuff, I really like when you are wrenching on the cars. Reminds me of the days when you were buying $800 cars and fixing them in the driveway of your rented place.

[@jasoningram9928]

Great job Randy! You have my admiration. Keep up the good work. Working on rust belt cars is a real pleasure.

[@xKINGMANIx]

I just stumbled across your channel somehow and love it. I also just got a used Model S recently and am loving it. Tho I have to fix my right door handle as it does not move in anymore Your videos give hope it ain't that bad too fix em up. Also my first ev ever.

[@Saltcitysneakerheads]

Handles are a POS and pain to fix them I replaced one door handle and decided to let Tesla handle those instead lol but actual mechanical work is pretty easy on this car

[@user-ft7gz2ce8y]

Go back to the first video posted regarding the noise in the suspension…. I told you it was the upper control arms. I replaced those in all of my 2013-2016 Teslas…. The ball joints will come apart while turning once they are worn.

[@StalePhish]

@7:14 remember this is also a 10+ year old design/car. Look up the Tesla Supermanifold or Tesla Superbottle to see how much better that cooling system is in newer models! There is just one mechanism that distributes the cooling system so you don't need that snake's nest of cooling tubes

[@geneedee]

LMAO you said cattywampus never heard that used in a sentence before such an old word😂

[@AutoAuctionRebuilds]

Not sure where I got that word from but I like it 😂

[@robertluckowski2618]

Cattywampus… is that southern for crooked?

[@christopherholloway8102]

My wife heard this video as I watched it. She said he swears wayyyyyyyy less than you do when working on things! LOL

[@Powersproductions130]

I’m sure they’re edited out. lol

[@aussietaipan8700]

Mate, thanks you so much for sharing your experience and "expertise" with us, I have my own 2015 model S with only 39,000 km on the clock (25,000 miles), I intend to keep this car for a long time and your videos are my future.

[@kengarrett2211]

joys of working with a car from new england, rust. pretreat the nuts and bolts the night before with oil will help. great video on the suspension

[@Oklawolf]

I've been trying to figure out which was the bigger fighter, your Tesla or my former Pacifica, and honestly I think they're about equal. I invented new swear words every time I worked on that car. My 24" breaker bar sized ratchet and a 50/50 mix of acetone and trans fluid were my best friends after a while. That ratchet handles fasteners my impact can't.

[@keithneal4410]

Kudos to you Randy for doing the work yourself at home. I'm sure you will the profit when you decide to sell the Tesla. Great video.

[@outlet6989]

Hi Randy. There are four things to consider before doing ANY DIY project. They are time, effort, cost, and a blood donation to the DIY god.

[@bigkev10101]

Good job on the car. I am glad to see someone working on a higher mile Tesla. I really enjoy the videos on it.

[@jasonlanders1397]

Hey there! Consider getting an automotive borescope. With it, you can create and edit videos that show those hard-to-see spots, which can be super interesting and helpful. I follow a few mechanics who use these, and their videos are really cool and informative!

[@syedhusaini9950]

Good job man. What a nightmare. Imagine taking this to any shop with a $120 an hour rate

[@billinsa9752]

Randy, good entertainment for us, appreciate your hard work.

[@brendanredhead4757]

I really enjoyed your video and hard work effort to show how the front end is diassembled. I personally understand the required discipline and determination required. Can only happen if it is fun and pain , not hard work.A longer extension handle and Kroil oil is better than a hammer hitting your arm.

[@repo908]

Bro you should of gotten to all the fasteners sprayed them all a lot. Then got something to eat. Then started to take that suspension apart. Also that air shock wasn't looking to healthy at the lower control arm. 🖖🤙✌️

[@jonathanjoseph9785]

You’re doing a fantastic job on the Tesla, I’m praying 🙏🏾 that the car passes the alignment test 0:11

[@waynek921]

Randy the content was great job with Tesla. Well done.

[@harriettanthony7352]

Fine video, and a FLOCK of work, indeed. This writer very much likes the Tesla Series Video, and look forward to the follow up one.

[@renevoorberg7129]

Fudge my finger arghhh!!! I like the way you talk.. No swearing when it's time to do so..

[@RickMoonBound]

YES you made my life easier. Tomorrow I am doing this and now I will know exactly how to remove the 12v battery. Thank you!

[@AutoAuctionRebuilds]

Glad I could help

[@jaydee3265]

You got to love it when a car kicks Randy's butt. The flipside was Randy cussed that car out, and this was edited out.

[@Detroitmuscle74]

Them struts look terrible I would of done them also seeing 300 thousand miles on them also.

[@AutoAuctionRebuilds]

You’re more than welcome to buy me $2k in struts if you like. They work perfectly.

[@shckltnebay]

Air suspension, those are $1200-1400 each

[@AutoAuctionRebuilds]

Nah I can get them new for $500 each aftermarket.

[@toddhill1465]

@@AutoAuctionRebuilds- Rebuild Master Tech or a similar outfit might be able to get you rebuilt OEMs cheaper.

[@kylereese4822]

@@AutoAuctionRebuilds I wonder if a Model 3 front motor could fit in there and the Model 3 batteries underneath... ??

[@samuelgyamfi5854]

This’s a great video; well done for carrying out all these corroded and difficult task. You’re a Germ. 👏👏👏

[@nobody-xt3zg]

38:32 use allen and 17mm key. U should check those bolts heads before burning!!!!! Its normall balljoint that needs 6mm allenkey😅😅😊

[@JW-rv5je]

Thank you for this video good sir, you’re the only one showing the full extent of the work involved. I was going to ask if the replacement parts you got was oem or aftermarket?

[@bobbyjohnson6355]

Couldn’t help but give a chuckle when you whacked your arm with the hammer… been there done that 😂

[@danielkern1110]

Hey Randy, I just watched your Tesla video on you fixing the front expansion and all that other stuff you had to do. I hope you get everything straightened out on it and I hope I see you back on the road which I know you will have it back on the road soon enough so but I hope you have a good night and tell Jessica and Nick I said hi and I can’t wait to see the next video on the Tesla and you can tell us more about it. I guess I’ll talk to you later. Have a good night buddy. talk to you soon

[@djsonic6533]

That definitely looked like a chore. But at least you got the hardest side done first. Can't wait to see the outcome.

[@DrDsIT]

@AutoAuctionRebuilds A Front End Service Kit makes it easier to remove the seized ball joint studs than heating them and you don't need to wait for them to cool. Advance Auto Parts has the Front End Service Kit in their Loan A Tool Program. What is the blade brand and type you used that easily cut through the camber bolt? If you have an affiliate link please reply with it. Thanks!

[@davidthomas4489]

You can see the contrast between working under a jack, and pounding the heck out of something, with fingers and arms at risk of getting pounded on vs a shop where these things are done all the time where the technicians have the right suspension tools and the means for removing these items. Going into every nook and cranny etc. Unless one LIKES the frustration, it's easier to just pay a shop to do this work. I appreciate your humor throughout this video. Go soak that arm! LOL.

[@BigHRepair]

Probably won't ever work on one of these (I try to stay way from evs) but this was entertaining. Another great video

[@soundsidetoursnc]

Damn good video Randy. Love when you repair stuff. We just want to jump in and help. Great job.

[@latainethomas3595]

great job you make it real not like some that makes it all look so easy Look forward to seeing it on the road

[@haskellburks]

Hello Randy. Fixing the front suspension of the Tesla S P85. Hopefully it won't be too difficult.

[@DishNetworkDealerNEO]

There are rubber straps that have post grips for 12 Volt car batteries to make a handle for gently lowering batteries into tight spaces. I would have also gotten a plastic cap and put it on one terminal of the battery, to prevent any possibility of a short circuit of the battery, just like the brand new ones from AutoZone!

[@loloblaireau]

hello (from france), I'm going to do the same operation on my vehicle in a few weeks, and your video will help me a lot, and can you tell me where did you buy the parts. because at Tesla I got $1500 for all the bolts and parts, thanks, and blue thumb obviously

[@wayneharmon8324]

Great video Randy I don’t have a Tesla but if I did, there’s no way I’m doing that. I will have a Tesla for sale lol keep up the great work brother be safe watch yourself with a sledgehammer.

[@lancenutter1067]

I’m kinda sure all suspensions are really annoying. I just did my 1994 1 ton Chevy van and took me two days. Got it done tho! Whew what a job…

[@miguelvega7769]

Nope nowhere near anything like Tesla, my 2010 X5 was easy as hell, and my 2007 Ford Ranger was easy as well, Tesla just know the money is great when folks come into get worked done

[@evoxus11]

You don’t have a big breaker bar. You should get a quick jack. Portable lift for times like this.

[@rokgpsman1]

News stories this week saying the glass in Tesla windows is super strong, unbreakable when an accident occurs and you need to quickly escape but the windows won't lower and you can't get the door open because the battery is damaged. Like on a freeway pileup with fire coming your way from other vehicles spilled fuel. Or if your Tesla skids off the road into a deep ditch full of water.

[@Simplyput3451]

Randy, this was a fantastic video.

[@maverickflint1991]

Cannot wait to see it all finished and back together.👍

[@larrywinemiller794]

Use a little propane torch to heat up the nuts, spray penetrate, longer handle ratchets, air ratchets, pipe to slide over ratchet handle for more length all works better than a two lb hammer on a nice new looking ratchet handle. I personally use a long handle non ratcheting breaker bar and then use the ratchet after I break the frozen nut loose. Don't you have the long handle half inch breaker bar in your ratchet assortment. Just saying I have had a bunch of bloody nuckles from hammers and ratchets.

[@danieldeller3661]

Use pb blaster is the best to remove rust

[@xcbiker2]

Hi, I did it on my MS 85 to and it take one day and a half to do it. It is easy in theory but it take a lot of time.

[@peterkwok9608]

Good Job Randy. Glad you are able to get one side km 😎😎👍👍

[@f36443]

You can look up the official service manual on the old S easy on the internet, makes things A LOT easier

[@maverickflint1991]

Wow. $12,000 for a new battery I will pass on buying one.👍

[@Modore64]

Great video Randy. Hope the arm is ok.

[@chrish8871]

Very similar to omega catera front control arm wishbone bush, which is easiest to fit poly. Unbolt the arm, pull down, cut the old bush out, pop the poly bush in, re bolt it up. No need to load the wheels to torque it up either. ….assuming the separate poly bushes are available for the s of course?

[@rudypernas7962]

good job Randy thank you for the videos god bless you love your channel

[@codyanderson6619]

Yo Randy that mystery pump you thought was for ac/airing up the air tank is the heat lol then the ac unit is that bigger unit you talked about right after

[@craigsanderson6974]

Amazing job Randy

[@mattlebo2733]

Brutal. Good job. Now u can enjoy the car with no clunks.

[@johnmaclean5429]

So where are the trolls that used to say "Randy never works on cars"? This is definetly not beginner level DIY! Well done Amigo!

[@AutoAuctionRebuilds]

They’ll be back on the next Copart or IAA video as they didn’t watch this one. They conveniently never see the videos where I get work done.

[@jdrs4214]

Thank you Señor, for showing us the inner workings of that Tesla EV.

[@russelltrupia4479]

Awesome job Randy👍👍

[@Saltcitysneakerheads]

This man is my hero! God if that was my pops we’d be fixing our Tesla model s and cussing so much a pirate would be offended lol I hope to be like him when I grow up lol

[@stevegorkowski3246]

You did a great job. The problem with all cars is they over design them with features that aren't needed. They get in the way when parts need to be replaced. Why you are having so much problems replacing the parts is Tesla requires a Tesla robot to do the work! :)

[@andrewthompsonuk1]

This is where flat rate lets you down. You wouldn't be happy with book time pay on this one. At least the bolts were not stuck into the bushes like they do on many cars.

[@maverickflint1991]

Good afternoon. Good to see you.🙂👍

[@jamesgoss6703]

Thanks for warning us randy

[@DishNetworkDealerNEO]

Always put the nut back on the bolt before pounding the bolt!

[@2008goldwind]

You might want to look at an induction coil heater to heat fasteners without torching.

[@jason7078]

We better get a truck video this weekend 😢

[@craignoble1641]

Hi Randy, thanks for the DIY video on the right upper control arm..! I was just quoted $700 for just this one replacement part on my Model S from a private EV shop. I am 99% sure I can do it following your video. Do I absolutely have to remove the battery and other electronics to get the rear bolt out? Thanks again.

[@PHIGHTING___]

You make awesome videos keep it up.

[@TimboWhite-sh6bb]

Good Morning There My Good Little Bro Randy Lee Shear Of Auto Auction Rebuilds

[@AnarchyEnsues]

Do you really need to put the weight on the suspension to tighten it up? What do they do in the factory. Its all tightened up on a sub assembly line before mated to the body.

[@williamjones5468]

You see this is why I cant enjoy the walk around videos. Randy you are a garage beast!! Why do I get soo much comfort out of your "wrenching" videos? I should have known after the Swamp Vette series. Really? this Tesla is cake compared to that.

[@evihofkens9530]

Later MS and than the MX are much easier to work on, less tubes etc

[@richroj]

great job Rebuilds, go home have some well deserved dinner and go to bed. see you on the next one 👍

[@JandCanO]

Do you not have a breaker bar?

[@xDarkAngelxc]

He's talking about "all this just for the control arm" meanwhile i'm saying "all this just to get the battery out" 😭

[@hartfischer5509]

Use a pressure washer to clean all those components under the frunk it will be like a factory new car when you are done with it : )

[@BrianMelJohnson-rc1qk]

Idk if I’m seeing right but was that the break line holding all that

[@johnfritz2944]

Great Video Randy! Thank you..

[@Da1nOnlyPigsta]

My Father used to always correct me when I would say; "I thought...." 🤔 He would reply; 🤨 "You know what thought did don't you? Thought thought he farted, but when he checked his Pants...... 😳 Never thought okay! THINK BEFORE YOU THOUGHT!" 😉 lol

[@maverickflint1991]

I think you should have the engine and transmission redone on the Monte Carlo and put that new motor and transmission in the truck.🙂👍

[@jbncnow]

Use MAPP gas to heat the bolt up

[@mikesharp8653]

What a tough job! I would have quit right after I hit my arm with that impact.

[@nathantatosian280]

Hi Randy I hope you have a good weekend

[@foam27]

I wonder is any design changes to these parts occurred in '21+ models.

[@tonyirving4154]

Wow, Randy, that was fighting you all the way . Well done, getting that done, but it was really interesting watching you do that. Thank you for the video .Best wishes to you, looking forward to the next video 👍🇬🇧 🇺🇲 🚘🚙🚗🛻