Tesla Model S Front Lower Lateral Aft Arms with Spherical Bushings (2012 – 2026+)

Rubber and polyurethane still flex and can introduce compliance, which softens response and lets alignment move. Sealed spherical bearings lock that motion out for the sharpest, most consistent rear end, and the seal keeps them durable where an open spherical would collect grit. If you want maximum precision and alignment stability, spherical is the top tier. If you want quiet comfort above all, softer bushings ride more forgivingly.

Spherical bushings transmit a bit more road feel than compliant rubber, since that directness is exactly what removes the vague, disconnected sensation. The trade is a firmer, more communicative rear end rather than a punishing one, and running a lighter forged wheel such as our Model S / Model X UP-04 wheels drops unsprung mass to keep that firmer setup composed over bumps. If your priority is the softest possible ride, know that any deflection-reducing upgrade tightens the car up somewhat.

The usual culprit is worn rubber bushings in the front lower control arms. Tesla’s factory bushings use a soft rubber that we’ve found wears out in as little as 30,000 to 50,000 miles under the weight and grip the Model S puts through them, which produces knocking, creaking, and steering slop. These arms replace the whole assembly with sealed spherical bushings already pressed in, so you fix the cause rather than chase the noise.

Vague steering usually traces back to deflection in the rubber compliance bushings, which lets the wheel move slightly under load instead of following your input. Swapping to sealed spherical bushings removes that play and gives the steering a direct, connected feel. We developed these lower arms on our Dark Helmet race car at Pikes Peak, and the same precision that helps on the mountain cuts the numbness on your commute.

It fits a 2016 Model S and every other model year from 2012 through 2026+, including the Plaid. When you order you choose your exact variant: Model S Plaid (2021+), Model S (2021+), 2019-2020, 2016.5-2020, or 2012-2016.5, because the arms differ slightly across that span. Pick the range that matches your car and you get the correct fore and aft arms.

You can buy them separately, and which you need depends on your symptoms. The Front Lower Compliance Fore arms carry one spherical bushing and one ball joint each and act as the factory caster adjuster. The Lateral Aft arms carry two spherical bushings and one ball joint each and serve as the factory camber adjuster and the lower strut mount. Owners chasing a full front refresh often add the adjustable front upper control arm set as well; a targeted repair may only need one lower arm.

They are full OEM-spec replacements for the factory arms. The Fore arms replace Tesla part numbers 1420341-00-C (left) and 1420346-00-C (right). The Lateral Aft arms replace 1027351-00-E for both sides. Because the upgraded spherical bushings and ball joints come already installed, you swap the complete arm instead of pressing new bushings into your old ones, which is where most of the labor cost normally hides.

Yes, and that is part of the point. Because every bushing and ball joint is pre-installed in the arm, this goes in as a straightforward bolt-on rather than a press-shop job, so it works in a home garage or driveway if you have the tools and a way to lift the car. Shops also spend far fewer hours on it. If you are near Los Angeles, our team in Hawthorne can install it for you. A proper alignment afterward is strongly recommended.

A full arm replacement is usually the cleaner path. Pressing fresh bushings into your original arms often addresses only the inner bushing and leaves the outer bushings and ball joint untouched, and the press labor gets expensive. These arms upgrade every associated bushing plus the ball joints, which have to be inserted during the casting process, so nothing worn stays behind. One part number, one install, everything renewed.

They help. Worn compliance bushings let the wheel wander under small forces, which scrubs the tire and holds an alignment poorly. With sealed spherical bushings the wheel holds its intended path, so an alignment stays accurate and the tire wears more evenly. If your car is lowered or sees a lot of highway miles, pairing these fronts with the adjustable rear camber arms lets you dial the whole car in.

Both. They were developed for everyday street use first, then proven through extreme track running and Pikes Peak Hill Climb in our race car. The spherical bushings are the sealed, low-vibration type, so you get race-grade precision without the harsh cabin noise a raw uniball would add. Constructed from OEM-quality cast aluminum, they hold up under daily commuting and lap-time chasing alike.

Installing them does not automatically void your Tesla warranty. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, Tesla has to show that the aftermarket part caused the specific failure before denying a related claim, so a control arm swap alone is not grounds for blanket denial. We suggest keeping your factory arms so you can return to stock if you ever need to. Unplugged Performance backs these under our own suspension warranty as well.

Unplugged Performance offers a comprehensive warranty on all parts and installations performed by our certified technicians. Warranty coverage applies to defects in materials and workmanship on items including lowering springs, coilovers, big brake kits, brake pads, stainless steel brake lines, shocks, and more. Should any covered part fail under normal use or display premature wear, we will repair or replace it at no additional cost—assuming the component was installed by us or at one of our authorized partners.

This warranty is valid for 2 years or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first, excluding consumable products like brake pads, rotors, and tires, starting from the installation date. Coverage extends to labor for warranty repairs when performed by Unplugged Performance or an authorized installer. It does not cover damage resulting from misuse, accidents, off‑road use, improper installation not done by us, or modifications that aren’t factory-approved.

To file a warranty claim, simply contact our service team. We’ll guide you through inspection, shipping (if needed), and repair or replacement logistics. transparencia and top-tier support are what you can expect from Unplugged.

Installing aftermarket parts does not automatically void your Tesla warranty. Under the Magnusson-Moss Warranty Act (www.sema.org/sema-enews/2011/01/ftc-validates-right-to-install-aftermarket-parts), a manufacturer cannot void your warranty simply because you installed aftermarket parts. Tesla must prove that the aftermarket part caused the specific failure in question to deny a warranty claim. UP recommends retaining all factory parts to allow reverting to stock if needed. 

Unplugged Performance processes orders quickly, typically within 1–2 business days after placement. For U.S. customers, orders under $50 usually ship via FedEx SmartPost with an estimated delivery time of 2–7 business days. Larger items like body kits or bumpers may ship via freight carriers with curbside delivery; customers will be contacted to schedule a delivery window. International shipping is available to most countries, with shipping costs calculated at checkout. Delivery times abroad vary, generally ranging from 5 to 16 business days depending on destination. Import duties or taxes are the customer’s responsibility. To ensure a smooth shipping experience, provide accurate contact information during checkout. For specific questions or shipping quotes, Unplugged Performance’s support team is available to assist.