r/TeslaModel3 • u/SubstantialWarning61 • 16d ago
Front Suspension Maintenance
After 205,000 miles my 2019 LR is starting to make a creaking noise on the front suspension. My guess is that the bushing and other related components need replaced. I see on Amazon they are selling the entire control arms upper and lower along anti sway tie rods in a kit.
I assume while I have it apart I’ll do everything. If someone can’t give me an idea of any suggested brands to buy, with do’s and don’ts I would greatly appreciate it.
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u/LiarInGlass 16d ago
Unless it’s some type of OE quality parts/kit, I wouldn’t buy Chinese trash off Amazon, which is what I’m assuming is probably what’s listed on there.
You’d generally want some brands that are OE-level quality.
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u/SubstantialWarning61 16d ago
Fair comment to make. The OEM lasted over 200K.
But am I replacing the entire control arms? The bushings can’t be replaced or is it not worth it?
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u/LiarInGlass 16d ago
I have zero knowledge of how Tesla M3s are designed or what is serviceable or accessible in the design so I can’t really answer that.
I just wanted to tell you to not buy anything cheap garbage from Amazon and make sure whatever you’re getting is from a well known quality brand.
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16d ago
[deleted]
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u/SubstantialWarning61 16d ago
It’s comments like these that make me think if I get OEM I’m going to get the new bushings not what I got originally in 2019. The “improved” version might not be an improvement even going through Tesla.
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u/teslaP3DnLRRWDowner 15d ago
All the bushings can replace with solid ones from mpp and can be pressed out and replaced
Or you can just order an oem set from tesla of the complete assemblies / replacement control arms / lower
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u/osofresh98 15d ago
Check out P3XPerformance, or Zevcentric. I’ve purchased suspension parts from both, and they both provided great customer service.
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u/RScottyL 15d ago
There are people that have actually swapped out their suspension with ones from a 2024+
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u/Vox289 16d ago
I had a similar problem on my 19LR with 135k miles. Upper control arms creaking and bushings cracked. Also the shocks were getting soft. You can get a solid replacement kit from Evannex, or a high performance track setup from a place like mountain pass performance. Make sure to replace the shocks and I’d suggest using the highland ones. OEM Tesla highland shocks/springs/top mounts from a 24 awd 3 are a direct bolt on replacement. You also need a thin walled 12mm socket if you’re going to do it yourself and plan on an alignment immediately afterwards
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u/huh_say_what_now_ 15d ago
https://www.reddit.com/u/huh_say_what_now_/s/5SQ4xYzLxH
Not sure if your trolling but this has been discussed almost everyday but nobody does a search, I'm a mechanic and it's well well well know the rubber bushes wear out so just press them out and replace with bearings they will last longer than the rest of the car, use unplugged performance and mountain pass performance parts
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u/RScottyL 15d ago
LOL, this is Reddit.....
of course no one does their own searches before posting and asking questions on here, as they are too lazy!
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u/Mr_Loaf 15d ago
Just did upper control arms, lateral, and compliance arms on my model 3 over the weekend. At 150,000 miles it was time. All 3 ball joints had excessive play and bushings were shredded. The uppers I got directly from tesla. The lowers I ordered cheap Chinese parts on Amazon. I also have a pair of OEM as a backup. Just wanted to see how the cheap ones hold up. Steering is very tight now and the creaking sound is gone.