Adjustable Length Control Arm for Model S Rear Suspension

I purchased an upper control arm link for the rear suspension from Tesla ($220).  The bushings are installed with an impressive press fit so it took some custom tooling to properly remove them and be able to reinstall them in new arms.  The tooling consisted of a press that centered on the bushing's inner sleeve and a cylinder to properly support the arm while pressing and to receive the bushing as it was pressed out.

A solid eccentric bushing was made to put in place of the stock bushing.  It was slightly undersized so that it would rotate in the suspension arm (the length adjustment) and a set screw was added to hold it from rotating with reassembled.  I removed the stock link, measured the center to center dimension, added the required length to make my target camber, adjusted the new link for this dimension and installed the new link.  I took care not to tighten the bolt on the adjustable bushing end as there was no compliance (no rubber).

Pictures of all the bits are below.


 

Press, Bushing and Sleeve

Adjustable Insert

Set up for Bushing Removal