Tesla, Inc.
Service Bulletin

SB-24-40-008
October 15, 2024

Inspect Rear Drive Unit For Oil Loss
Through Breather

Classification

Section/Group

Mobile Service

Configuration

Repair Bulletin

40 - Rear Drive Unit

Cannot Perform

Performance

Model

Model Year

Country/Region

Build Location

Model 3

2024

North America

Fremont

The model(s) and model year(s) listed are a general approximation of the affected VIN list. Refer to the VIN/Bulletin Tracker or Customer/Vehicle profile to determine
applicability of this bulletin for a particular vehicle.

Repair Bulletin: This repair bulletin provides instructions on addressing a possible customer concern regarding the operation of
Tesla vehicles. These instructions should only be performed by trained professionals.

Condition
Some Performance Model 3 vehicles might experience minor oil loss through the Rear Drive Unit (RDU) breather
during high lateral acceleration cornering maneuvers.

Correction
Upon customer complaint, or if oil stains are observed on the rear aero shield during service, relocate the RDU
breather and inspect the vehicle for symptoms related to the condition. If symptoms are present, drain and fill the RDU
oil. The RDU breather relocation may also be performed at customer request, foregoing any inspection.

Correction Description

Correction

Time

SB-24-40-008 Not Applicable

S012440008

0.00

Relocate RDU Breather At Customer Request

S022440008

2.10

Oil Loss Not Observed at RDU Breather Area; Relocate Breather

S032440008

2.10

Oil Loss Observed at RDU Breather Area; Relocate Breather, Drain And Fill RDU Oil

S042440008

2.64

Part Number
Parts Required 1870429-00-F
1101758-00-A

Description

Quantity

ASY, FDU BREATHER TUBE

1

ASSEMBLY- BREATHER- 3DU

1

Order the following from Fastenal via eProcurement:
63481

3/4" x 3/4" Black Nylon 6.6 ORMADUS® 4-Way Adhesive
Cable Tie Mounting base

1

0710214

8.000” x 0.185” Black Nylon 6.6 Cable Tie

1

If Necessary 1096865-00-B
1108214-00-B
1108211-00-C
1108210-00-A

FILL/DRAIN PLUG
OIL PUMP O-RING-HNBR-AS568-142-GREEN-50A
OIL PUMP O-RING,HNBR,ID 58X2MM,BLACK,50A
OIL PUMP O-RING-HNBR-ID 38X2MM-BLACK-50A

1–2
1
1
1

Order the following via eProcurement:
1646886-04-A

LUBRICANT - KAF 1 DU FLUID - 1 LTR QTY

3

NOTE: If 1646886-04-A is unavailable, order 1x
1646886-03-A (5 gallons) or 1x 1646886-02-A (55 gallons)
These part numbers were current at the time of publication. Use the revisions listed or later, unless
otherwise specified in the Parts Catalog.

Page 1 of 9

SB-24-40-008
_

Special Tools 1085936-00-A
1099645-00-D
1140311-00-A
1129348-00-B
1115247-01-A
1076921-00-B
1083188-01-B
1059330-00-B
1054720-00-A
1082171-00-A
1457016-00-A
1081765-00-A
1066521-00-A
1785249-00-A
1451830-00-A
1131264-00-A
1541474-00-B
1080559-21-A
1773092-00-A
1064740-00-A

E18 Torx Low Profile Socket
FIXTURE, SUBFRAME, MODEL 3/Y/CT
LEVER LOCK, HV CONNECTOR, MODEL 3
JUMP START, XP-20 (Heavy Duty)
Electronic Test Lead, CAT IV 1000V
INSULATION MULTIMETER; FLUKE 1507
Digital Multimeter Unit, EXTECH 355
PENTHOUSE SOCKET, 1/4" DR, 5-LOBE, E-TORX MAG
500 LB PORTABLE BENCH
S-HOOK, BRAKE CALIPER
SPRING COMPRESSOR, MODEL 3
3/4 TON UNDERHOIST STAND
OTC POWERTRAIN LIFT 1,650lb
EXTENSION, 1/4" DR, 6", LOCKING, INSULATED
M3, SKT, EP10, Low Profile, 1/4" Drive
SWITCHBOX, OIL PUMP, MODEL 3
Oil Catch/Measure Kit
WIHA Torque Screwdriver 0.8-5Nm
DIAGNOSTICS ADAPTER HARNESS ETHERNET
SCRAPER, RAZOR BLADE

Shop Supplies Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) Wipes
Paint Pen
Brake Cleaner
000-0474-001 - THREADLOCKER, LOCTITE 222, PURPLE

Inspection
NOTE: If the customer has not reported oil loss but still wants to relocate the RDU breather, skip to the
“Relocate Breather” section.
1. Remove the LH rear wheel, and then raise the vehicle to a height suitable for RDU inspection (refer to Service
Manual procedure 34015001).
2. With a flashlight, look through the area between the LH rear upper links (Figure 1) to inspect the RDU case for
signs of oil loss from the RDU breather.
NOTE: Oil loss from the RDU breather is likely to affect the halfshaft and inverter areas (Figure 2, red) and the
top of the rear aero shield (Figure 2, green). The oil loss might appear as a filmy, dirty residue (Figure 3) or
streaks.

Figure 1
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SB-24-40-008
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Figure 3 – Oil and dirt residue on RDU case around
the halfshaft

Figure 2

3. Note whether oil loss from the RDU breather is suspected, and then continue to the next step.

Relocate Breather
1. Partially lower the rear subframe from the vehicle (refer to Service Manual procedure 30010231).
2. Remove the clip that attaches the LH rear wheel liner to the body (Figure 4).

Figure 4
3. With the rear subframe partially lowered, remove the rear motor bay noise absorber from the vehicle (refer to
Service Manual procedure 1201010022).
4. If oil residue is on the rear motor bay noise absorber, rear aero shield, RDU, or other components surrounding the
RDU, clean it off with IPA wipes.

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5. Use a paint pen or marker to draw a 5 cm x 5 cm square at the location indicated in Figure 5.

Figure 5
6. With the red square (Figure 5) as an outline, use a razor blade to cut out a ~2 mm thick square from the rear
motor bay noise absorber (Figures 6–8).
WARNING: Wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as cut-resistant gloves.
CAUTION: Do not cut completely through the noise absorber. Remove only a thin layer of material.
NOTE: This step is performed to reduce the likelihood of the breather being compressed by the noise
absorber.

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8
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7. Use a 22 mm wrench to remove the RDU breather from the top of the RDU (Figure 9). Discard the breather.

Figure 9 – Subframe completely removed from vehicle in this image for clarity
8. Remove and discard the cap from the replacement breather (Figure 10).
TIP: Use a pick if necessary.

Figure 10
9. Use a pick to remove the baffle from the breather (Figures 11 and 12).
NOTE: Do not discard any components at this time.

Figure 11 – Baffle inside of breather

Figure 12 – Baffle removed

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10. Use diagonal cutters to cut the baffle in half, and then discard the top half of the baffle (Figure 13).
WARNING: Wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as protective eyeglasses and
cut-resistant gloves.

Figure 13
11. Position the reworked baffle into the breather (Figure 14), and make sure that the baffle is fully seated in the
breather.

Figure 14
12. Install the reworked breather on the RDU (22 mm deep hex, 6 Nm) (Figure 15).

Figure 15
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13. Attach the cable tie mount (Figure 16) to the remote breather end of the breather tube assembly (Figure 17) with a
cable tie, and then cut off excess cable tie.

Figure 16

Figure 17

14. Install the breather tube assembly (Figure 18) on the RDU breather, making sure the breather tube coupler is fully
seated in the RDU breather opening and that the coupler locking tabs (x2) are engaged with the RDU breather
(Figure 19).

Figure 18

Figure 19

15. Move the LH rear wheel liner aside (Figure 20), and then route the breather tube assembly as shown in
Figures 20 and 21.

Figure 20

Figure 21
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16. Carefully attach the breather tube to the brake line with (2x) cable ties (Figure 22), and then cut off excess cable
tie.

Figure 22
17. Remove the protective backing from the cable tie mount, and then install the cable tie mount on the body of the
vehicle (Figure 23).

Figure 23
18. Install the rear motor bay noise absorber on the vehicle (refer to Service Manual procedure 1201010022).
19. Carefully place the LH rear wheel liner back to its original position, and then install the clip that attaches the liner
to the body (Figure 4).
20. If oil loss from the RDU breather is not suspected, but an oil leak at the RDU still needs to be investigated,
investigate now.
NOTE: If the oil leak is not from the RDU breather, use correction code S032440008 at the end of this
procedure, so that the parts and labor of relocating the breather can be tracked.
21. Install the rear subframe assembly and all of its subcomponents, but do not connect LV power (refer to Service
Manual procedure 30010231).
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22. Install the rear fascia assembly and the LH and RH rear suspension covers, but do not install the rear aero shield
and rear diffuser (refer to Service Manual procedure 10013001).
23. If there was oil loss from the RDU breather, drain and fill the RDU gearbox oil (refer to Service Manual procedure
4001010032).
NOTE: The procedure referenced above is the 4DU Oil Pump (Remove and Replace). Follow the instructions
to drain and fill the RDU oil, but do not replace the oil pump.
24. Reconnect LV power (refer to Service Manual procedure 17010400).
25. Connect a laptop with Toolbox 3 to the vehicle (refer to the Service Manual procedure).
26. Click on the Actions tab, and then search for and run the “Oil Pump Low Pressure Test - Rear Drive Unit” routine
(Figure 24).

Figure 24
27. Disconnect the laptop from the vehicle.
28. Reinstall all remaining components that were removed for access.
29. Disable Service Mode (refer to the Service Manual procedure).
30. Refer to the alignment requirement matrix to determine the need for suspension alignment (refer to the Service
Manual procedure). If an alignment check or adjustment is performed, add the correction code to the Service Visit
in a separate activity.

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SB-24-40-008
For feedback on the accuracy of this document, email ServiceBulletinFeedback@tesla.com