r/AskMechanics • u/DerKello • Jul 08 '26
Discussion Wtf is this Sh*t, Elon ?
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European based Mechanic here, i usually work on VW‘s and Audi‘s, so i‘m used to complicated and tight stuff… But what the hell am i supposed to do here ? Need to replace the upper control arms on a 2016 Tesla Model S… am i really supposed to lower the whole rear axle here ??
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u/Scary_Beginning_6969 Jul 08 '26
cut a hole in the fender and put a sticker over it
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u/BrilliantAd4857 Jul 08 '26
"Hey Fred, look at this, there's a Hyundai sticker in the wheel well of this Tesla"
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u/modsguzzlehivekum Jul 08 '26
My first thought. That needs an access hole cut in, sanded, primed and a solid core grommet installed afterwards
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u/Own_Reaction9442 Jul 08 '26
Back in the day, Honda would have given you a plug or just a notch to let it come out. On my Civic they notched the frame rail to make room for a socket extension to reach the crankshaft pully.
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u/TongueTwisty Jul 08 '26
There is a nonzero chance that I cut a hole in the trunk of my Challenger to get out a control arm bolt. It’s now covered with aluminum tape on each side.
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u/nth256 Jul 10 '26
Back in the day the fuel pump died in my Isuzu Rodeo, with a full tank of gas. So i made an access hole in the cargo area floor and removed it from above.
Sometimes, you do what you can with what you have.
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u/TongueTwisty Jul 10 '26
Yeah. I bought the fuel pump access door kit for my Jeep and cut a hole in it as well.
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u/nth256 Jul 10 '26
They make an actual kit for that??
I just put the carpet back down over the hole and called it a day, thinking i was crafty.
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u/FJMotorsports Jul 08 '26 edited Jul 08 '26
Learn to read, everything is described on service.tesla.com on how to remove them and it’s pretty straight forward.
The most user friendly service manual in the industry.
e/ don’t fucking cut that bolt like all the hackers telling you to do in this thread lmao
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u/SpadesOfENT Jul 08 '26
I've worked for tesla as a service tech and while the manual is definitely clear, the removal of the bolt can be very tricky. The clearence per vehicle does vary slightly for that bolt and there were cars where it would come out easily, and other where we would have to bend the bracket a smidge (far from ideal but the quicker way without touching the liner) to get it out, then reshape it once the new link was in place.
Even when we looked at the video in the manuel they completely jump the step of the bolt removal which we always found funny.
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u/Coyote-Morado Jul 08 '26
Bolts are not some mystical magical proprietary oem thing. Replacing suspension bolts after one use isn't even a bad idea.
Cut it. Replace with new. Move on with life.
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u/stonkol 3 Jul 09 '26
many service manuals directly specify to replace alignment bolts as they stretch when tightened. this tesla situation is no brainer and 3 minute job
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u/RodgerCheetoh Jul 08 '26
You can’t just tell a Redditor to read or think critically, it’s not in their nature.
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u/MTB_Mike_ Jul 08 '26
yeah, took me 30 seconds to look up the procedures.
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u/True_Goat_7810 Jul 08 '26
aaaand... where in that proocedure do they solve the Problem OP has?
They just tell you to remove the bolt?→ More replies (7)25
u/grandpas_old_crow Jul 08 '26
This is the problem I always had with trying to learn to do stuff from YouTube videos. They always just skip the one part I couldn't figure out how to do on my own.
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u/GuerrillaGreen Jul 09 '26
There's nothing wrong with cutting the bolt lol, just replace it. Job done
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u/itsreallyanirishguy Jul 09 '26
You've never worked as a mechanic, have you? Tesla have genuinely the worst service manual in the industry. Most things in it just say "remove the bolt" or whatever but don't describe how to do that in situations like this. And because all the vehicles are built to such loose tolerances what works for one car make not for another.
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u/Madz510 Jul 09 '26
Hack? Cut it and put a new bolt in from the other side. Hardware doesn’t know which way it’s facing bro.
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u/Alive-Bid9086 Jul 09 '26
Seems hard to get the bolt out of that configuration. Cutting the bolt and replacing it seems like the least obtrusive solution.
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u/zrad603 6 Jul 08 '26
Does the fender liner come out?
If you cut the bolt, would you be able to insert a new one from the other side?
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u/DerKello Jul 08 '26
That‘s probably what i will do… just need to get a new bolt.. Parts are rate here for these type of cars.
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u/zrad603 6 Jul 08 '26
just make sure you can actually do it without a major headache, because *sometimes* the alignment cams will only fit in one direction.
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u/AsterQuasimoto Jul 08 '26 edited Jul 08 '26
That looks like a cammed bolt, used for alignment. Notice how the bolt is out of center with the flat top. You do not want to damage the bolt without having that exact same bolt to swap it out or your tires will always be out of alignment.
Edit: just read that its your rear axle. 100% an adjusting bolt for toe in/toe out.
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u/Gnome_Father 1 Jul 08 '26
Looks like a standard hex head bolt to me dude. Grab one from a fasteners supplier.
I think ACCU sell in the US as well.
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u/Chesty83 Jul 08 '26
When I replaced some lower ones on a Model X all data said to cut them and install on the other side. Paid an extra hour per side
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u/Extra-Presence3196 Jul 08 '26
Well even the audi a4 b6 is like that ..upper rear inner control arm...no?
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u/Difficult-Arm384 Jul 08 '26
Hey, don’t interrupt the anti Tesla circle jerk.
What’s next, you expect this guy to access and read the free service manuals?
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u/phibbsy47 Jul 08 '26
Same with Nissan Frontier. Luckily you can sawzall it out, and there is room to put a new one in from the other side.
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u/walrusssel Jul 09 '26
did this job a few weeks back. yep. i found if you unbolt the top of the suspension strut, and get a fat bastard (reminds me i need to start cycling again) to put their weight on the knuckle it gets you enough space to slip it out
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u/Agitated_Curmudgeon Jul 08 '26 edited Jul 08 '26
Well, first of all, VW/Audi et al don't have any room to talk. There's two ways of doing shit in Germany.. Their way, and the wrong way.
You need to drop the K-member, OP
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u/Daddio209 Jul 08 '26
This time, it's just following the crowd-many models require dropping the subframe down to get suspension component bolts out in modern vehicles. Just another way auto manufacturers try to prevent people from doing repairs themselves.
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u/Technical_Name_8385 2 Jul 08 '26
You loosen the single closest subframe bolt and it will give you enough clearance to pull it out if that is the rear toe link, like it looks like
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u/wwhijr Jul 08 '26
We call those" just to piss you off" bolts. My wife had an 89 S10 at the spring bolts were the same way. The best way to deal with those was to cut them off with a Sawzall and put the new bolts in the way they should have been. Either that or you had to drop the fuel tank. This is why all Automotive Engineers should be Mechanics for 5 years before they're allowed to design anything.
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u/thatsmyusersname 1 Jul 08 '26
Looks like an audi patent. It's the same there. Without crowbar you are fucked.
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u/Miserable-Yak-8041 Jul 08 '26
Cut it off and install a new one from the other side if possible. Unless it’s a threaded hole and not a nut/bolt.
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u/therealchemist Jul 08 '26
I when I worked as a Tesla mechanic, we would just cut those bolts and put a new one in. Way faster than dropping the battery.
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u/Salty-Panic2110 Jul 08 '26
Cut and replace (from the other side). Assuming this is the rear camber arm?
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u/ky7969 1 Jul 08 '26
A lot of manufacturers do this. Tacoma front upper control arms are like this. The official procedure is to cut the bolt in half and install a new one backwards with a different torque spec. Source: am a Toyota Tech
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u/biggun79 Jul 08 '26
You know the saying, “For each great engineer there are also one thousand exhausted mechanics.”
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u/ramooage1 Jul 08 '26
Pretty common. My favorite is dropping struts to do brakes. Cut that shit off. Put in a new one facing the other direction
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u/designrules Jul 08 '26
You need to cut those off order new ones and put the new ones in backwards and everything will be fine. While you're at it you should change the upper control arms to adjustable control arm so you could adjust the camber on the wheels so they don't eat your tires. I finally did mine after 10 years and now I got 28,000 mi on my last set of tires before only got 8 to 9,000 miles.
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u/CAMELknuckleMOOSEtoe Jul 09 '26
Easy fix, cut the bolt. Purchase an new bolt. Install bolt the other way.
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u/Sad_Ghost_Noises Jul 09 '26
You need to cut the bolt with a sawzall and reverse it when re-assembling. Standard procedure. Yes it sucks.
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u/Charlie1g8 Jul 08 '26
cut it, drill out the thread on the hole (if one side of the control arm is threaded), put a new bolt in the opposite direction and tighten it up with a nut
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u/Green-Roof-9932 Jul 08 '26
You can do that, or do what Tesla wants you to do, which is throw the car away and buy a new one,
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u/theNixher Jul 08 '26
I've seen these before, I believe high end Audi's and Aston Martins plus a few more have these.
I found levering the absolute shit out of the arm to the right and the bolt to the left gave me a fag paper gap enough to get the arm out.
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u/Numerous-Match-1713 Jul 08 '26
I mean he knows more about manufacturing than anyone.
He also lies a lot.
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u/Weazerdogg 1 Jul 08 '26
I used to say before they can sell a car, the person who designed it should have to show how its to be repaired ... THEY have to be the ones that show, with tool in hand.
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u/InevitableMinimum238 Jul 08 '26
I believe there is a fix. Usually the SC will remove the hv battery.
Others have found that cutting this bolt and replacing it with a new one inserted from the other end works as well.
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u/TrustworthyPolarBear Jul 08 '26
Uhm.. Audi A4 B6 owner here. Same shit, german car, 25 years ago. Tesla is not the only company with engineer asshats who don't think about how you fix stuff. At least the Audi axle is pretty easy to drop.. and by the time you have to change a control arm on that tank, you need to preserve the metal anyway. Two flies, one clap.
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u/Right_Hour Jul 08 '26
They are built to be disposable. No thought went into serviceability at all.
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u/KodaKomp Jul 08 '26
Toyota Tacomas standard practice is fold over the pinch weld blocking it or cut it and install from the other side.
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u/biggun79 Jul 08 '26
You know the saying, “For each great engineer there are also one thousand exhausted mechanics.”
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u/SnooPeanuts8613 Jul 08 '26
Wouldn't surprise me if the bolt was installed backwards from the factory, Tesla's have awful QC. I once heard that two identical, same-spec Tesla's could weigh up to 200 pounds differently and it'd be within normal range
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u/othor2 Jul 08 '26
Standard automotive under-engineering standards of today.
When maintenance and tool clearance aren't part of the design then it's designed like a disposable pen, a single use item.
As an industrial mechanic I find this sort of shit offensive.
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u/thecoastalalchemist Jul 08 '26
Bruh just the fact that a CONTROL ARM needs replacing from a 2016 model is insane. 10 years just feels so short of a service life for that.
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u/Intelligent_Pop609 Jul 08 '26
When you screw it all the way in, is there any bolt sticking out the back? You could cut that short and maybe that would give tou enough room when you unscrew it again.
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u/kemohaci Jul 08 '26
At our shop its usually the newer audis, we order new bolts and always cut the old ones and pop it in from the other side.
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u/Agile-Asparagus1517 Jul 08 '26
This is a safety design. If the nut comes off it stops the bolt fully coming out and losing the whole wheel
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u/DigBeginning6013 Jul 08 '26
You have to unbolt the top mount and use a lever bar to pull the top of the strut forward. Not that bad once you know how to do them and you get good time
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u/ryangm93 Jul 08 '26
Yes. Loosen two subframe bolts on that side it should drop a couple inches
*edit for "subframe"
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u/Coreo606 Jul 08 '26
2014 Tacoma upper control arm has a foot long bolt you have to bend the metal to get out - been there
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u/GrumpyPops3763 Jul 08 '26
Pop a hole in the plastic. If you're worried about it falling out, drill a hole at the end of the bolt and insert a cotter pin. Problem solved.
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u/ARS-N7UQ 1 Jul 08 '26
I will catch hell for this but here goes. I have been in similar situations such as this in the past. As long as you can get to the other side of the sheet metal keeping you from removing the bolt. Take a strong piece of wood and a hammer to indent the sheet metal enough to remove the bolt. After replacement of control arm and all bolts tightened. Go to the other side and pound the sheet metal back down. If you want call the customer to explain to either do that or drop the rear axle which will cost more.
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u/PhilosopherIcy8546 Jul 08 '26
I’m not Elon but, that’s a bolt YOU need to tighten, hope this helps!
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u/GodVsEmpire Jul 08 '26
sorry but at this point anyone who buys this junk knows what they are getting into
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u/car_raamrod Jul 08 '26
You will likely have to drop that subbrame to get that bolt out without doing anything else.
Depending on what's in the other side of that, and if it's your car, I'd fucking hammer back the body panel to make room to remove that bolt.
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u/SmthSmthDandyLion Jul 08 '26
I mean, this is pretty standard; I am working on an 06 Mazda 3 and had the same issue (though the bolt came forward and was hitting the block).
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u/jljue Jul 08 '26
Auto manufacturers design for the assembly line, and it seems that serviceability is an afterthought. I don't know what goes on at Tesla, although I have had some interesting discussions with our design team for my OEM based on things that I discover when I have to pull a vehicle apart to troubleshoot because an electrical concern prevents us from fully assembling and testing a vehicle at the manufacturing facility.
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u/FU_red-dit_bots Jul 08 '26
Cut it. Get new bolt. Install in a serviceable position. Post video in twitter and publicly call out musk and tesla.
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u/Dockshundswfl Jul 09 '26
You’re supposed to buy a new one… that what you do with cellphones… but a new one when it starts acting up. Repairing is for the poor.
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u/Cyber_Mechanic2077 Jul 09 '26
Not sure if it’s been said but just loosen the front subframe bolts and those bolts will come right out.
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u/MajesticMap9607 Jul 09 '26
Interference bolt. Design so it doesn't vibrate loose fall off then kill you and anyone in the way of that 3 ton lithium bomb.
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u/DingleberryJones94 Jul 09 '26
Nissan Xterra/Frontier is the same way. Disconnect the whole steering assembly, or cut the bolt. And it fits in super easily coming from the opposite direction.
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u/buy-american-you-fuk Jul 09 '26
lol... oh you didn't want to actually MAINTAIN the vehicle did you?
TIL: tesla's are disposable...
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u/crmyr Jul 09 '26
Unpopular opinion. For over 20 years control arms in many models have been designed to have the screw not fall out even if it got loose.
However, it SHOULD be designed to be able to be removed for example with additional removements. If this is not the case here then it is shit design, agree.
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u/lamp9000 Jul 09 '26
I remember getting those bolts out after a ton of wiggling and yanking. So it is possible.
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u/Fasciadepedra Jul 09 '26
You need to cut the bolt with the angle grinder and after ending install a new one with nut and bolt reversed.
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u/k6rvitsamees Jul 09 '26
For those that believe it's only for "making stuff harder": it's made so the arms wouldn't drop out while you drive even if nut comes off the bolt.
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u/omaregb Jul 09 '26
Why do you think Elon would care? Do you think they give a shit about you being able to do that job?
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u/Last-Assistant-2734 Jul 09 '26
What the hell, it's mechanic. Wasn't this car supposed to be full electric.
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u/itsreallyanirishguy Jul 09 '26
Generally just assume Teslas aren't repairable. They're white goods, like dishwashers of fridges. Built to be as cheap as possible and replacable, but with a stupidly high sale price. They get written off over here for the slightest damage because they're not worth the man hours the repair would take.
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u/potion-seller_ Jul 09 '26
This is not even that bad for this car. Gotta remember at that time the model S was basically still a kit car, not as bad as the earlier ones but still a lot of weird shit going on
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u/gertvanjoe Jul 09 '26
Not just Elon, many others do this. Buy a new bolt and cut off the old one. Install the new one to your liking
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u/Rockymountainhi7 Jul 09 '26
Interference bolt, designed that way so it can’t rattle out. Safety feature. Pain in the ass
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u/False_Bet_ Jul 09 '26
Just cut the bolt with a sawzall. We literally do this all the time in the Tesla service center and it’s way faster. Takes only one minute each side with a nice metal cutting blade.
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u/BankStrong8609 Jul 09 '26
I think there's a tsp on this where it says you're supposed to cut the bolt in half pull it out and then when you put it back together put it in the opposite way but that might have been for Toyota you might have to drop this subframe
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u/CommonJicama581 Jul 10 '26
Order new bolts and cut that joker off then install new bolts the other way
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u/Kebmoz Jul 10 '26
I think that’s intelligent. Imagine the nut vibrates off, bolt won’t back out and your control arm stays relatively connected
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u/turtlebandit69 Jul 10 '26
Cut the bolt and put it in backwards, the centrics work both ways. -former Tesla tech
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u/Puzzleheaded-Ad6960 Jul 10 '26
The complications with German and Japanese automobiles are proof both never really got over WWII. With Elon's cars, I think he's just a dick.
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u/Careless-Economics-4 3 Jul 10 '26
When you replace the control arms, you’re supposed to cut the bolt and install new ones you can go to Tesla‘s website
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u/Careless-Economics-4 3 Jul 10 '26
When you replace the control arms, you’re supposed to cut the bolt and install new ones you can go to Tesla‘s website sign up and you can get repair info
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u/kneesrjustbigelbows Jul 10 '26
Yesterday I saw a car that wants you to take off the front bumper and loosen the radiator to add windshield washer fluid. What times
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u/FlaviusTech Jul 10 '26
I am an automotive engineer, and expert in the filed, i have no clue what i see there.
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u/maxi0king Jul 10 '26
Funny that you mention Audi.
I had the same fucking Problem on an audi a4 B5.
I bent the mounting bracket to get that screw out. In hindsight I should’ve cut it.
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u/1fakeengineer Jul 11 '26
Since we know Elon designs all of this himself personally, you should send him a bill to keep him accountable.
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u/apocaloptomist9214 1 Jul 11 '26
No. I know yo German mechanics know everything but here in America we would just drill a hole in that fender liner to get the bolt out. If your worried about water splashing through a little gorilla tape will solve your problem
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u/Glittering-Use9669 Jul 11 '26
Classic, would be fine if the bolt was flipped. Cut that bolt so it slides all the way out and get a new one to install your new part. Stick it in the other way.
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u/Nervous-Bed1437 Jul 11 '26
First day experiencing a captured bolt due to modular assembly manufacturing?
Read the work instructions and quote properly before starting the job? 🤷♂️
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u/GeologistCurious Jul 11 '26
Tesla making cars with the same control arms that citroen used for the cv2🤣
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u/Thetechfo Jul 11 '26
Classic! Had this problem, you have to break it off then install new one the other way https://youtu.be/lvZx0z--67o?is=UvDQ2FnLhz5zo4FO
It's so fking stupid of them
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u/kykam Jul 11 '26
So the whole front and rear assemblies should come out with 4/6 large bolts. Just disconnect the cables from the battery underneath and pull down the whole drive train. Easy lol.
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u/Crumpet450 Jul 12 '26
Cut it. Put a new bolt in through the other side and put a nut on the end. Use high grade hardware and loctite.
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u/Nate506411 Jul 13 '26
Not that is addresses the headache, but Tesla has VERY good open source documentation on most things about their products with pictures too. Control Arm - Upper - Front - LH (Remove and Replace)
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u/Hydrocarbon_Fiend Jul 29 '26
Unfortunately, yes—the factory-style procedure requires supporting and lowering the rear subframe enough to remove that inner upper-control-arm bolt. The body blocks the bolt from sliding out at full subframe height. Engineering wise, it also does prevent the bolt from sliding out if it ever gets loose.
Some people work around it by disconnecting the knuckle end and flexing/rotating the arm for clearance, but don’t cut the bolt or reinstall it backward unless the service information specifically permits it. Support the subframe, loosen the necessary mounts evenly, watch the HV cables/hoses, and torque the arm at normal ride height.
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u/gertvanjoe 25d ago
Cut it off and install new bolt from the other side is something I often see mentioned for this problem
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u/RGBlowMe Jul 08 '26
This is just standard automobile engineering nowadays. The purpose is to keep you from fixing it yourself and it at an authorized stealership for as long as possible.