suspension
Sway Bar Link - Rear
for 2024 Tesla Cybertruck Cyberbeast Tri Motor AWD · AWD
Editorial review:Chris Hackleman — Master Technician · 20+ years · Jeff Moore — Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years
Difficulty
Easy
Time
30 min
Tools
9
Steps
8
✓Expert-verified. Personally reviewed and approved by OLP's master technicians (Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — 20+ years each). Always follow the vehicle's factory service information and torque specs.
Replace a rear sway bar (stabilizer) end link on a 2024 Tesla Cybertruck Cyberbeast. The procedure is straightforward but requires care due to the truck's mass, air suspension, and 48V low-voltage architecture.
Warnings
⚠️This Cybertruck uses a 48V low-voltage architecture — NOT 12V. Standard 12V tools, jump packs, and accessories may damage the system. Identify the correct LV battery before disconnecting.
⚠️Never touch, cut, or pierce any orange cable. The Cybertruck uses an 800V HV system — contact is lethal.
⚠Air suspension: with the vehicle lifted, the system may attempt to self-level if powered. Disconnect the LV battery and/or place suspension in Service/Jack Mode via the touchscreen before lifting.
⚠Steer-by-wire: do not move the front wheels manually with the system powered. Although this is a rear job, keep the vehicle off and locked out.
⚠Stainless steel exoskeleton: do not strike body panels, do not allow tools or fasteners to fall against the bedside or rocker. Scratches/dents in the cold-rolled stainless are extremely difficult to repair.
ℹ️The link stud will spin in its socket — you MUST hold the stud with an Allen key while torquing the nut. Failing to do this will give a false torque reading.
Tools required
Metric socket set (deep and shallow)Essential
Metric combination wrench setEssential
Allen/hex key set (to hold sway bar link stud)Essential
Calibrated torque wrench (10-150 Nm range)Essential
Heavy-duty floor jack rated for Cybertruck curb weight (~6,800+ lb)Essential
Jack stands rated for vehicle weightEssential
Tesla-approved lift pad adapters (puck) for Cybertruck pinch pointsEssential
Penetrating oil
Wheel chocksEssential
Parts
- Rear sway bar end link assembly (manufacturer-specified for Cybertruck) × 1 — Tesla Cybertruck rear stabilizer link — refer to Tesla EPC for current part number
Preparation
- Park on level ground, place in P, and engage the parking brake.
- Exit ALL doors with the key fob away from the vehicle. Wait at least 2 minutes for HV systems to fully de-energize, even on this non-HV job.
- Before disconnecting power, enter the touchscreen Service Menu and place the air suspension in Jack Mode (or equivalent transport/service mode) to prevent self-leveling.
- Disconnect the 48V low-voltage battery per Tesla's published procedure for Cybertruck. Note: this is a 48V system, not 12V — use appropriate procedure and PPE.
- DO NOT touch, cut, or pierce ANY orange cable — these are high-voltage and lethal.
- If at any point you encounter an orange cable, an HV component, or are unsure if a system is de-energized: STOP and consult a Tesla-certified technician.
- Chock the front wheels.
- Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts on the affected side while the tire is still on the ground.
- Lift the rear of the vehicle at the manufacturer-specified jacking points using rated equipment, and support on jack stands. The Cybertruck is heavy — verify jack/stand ratings.
- Remove the rear wheel on the affected side.
Procedure
- 1Inspect the work areaVisually inspect the rear sway bar, end link, lower mounting point, and surrounding suspension/air spring components. Note the orientation of the end link (which end is up, which way bushings face) and photograph for reference. Confirm the link is the failed component and not the sway bar bushing brackets.
- 2Apply penetrating oilApply penetrating oil to both the upper (sway bar) and lower (suspension/control arm) sway bar link stud threads. Allow several minutes to soak. Do not allow oil to contact air suspension bellows or brake components.
- 3Loosen the upper sway bar link nutInsert the appropriate Allen/hex key into the end of the link stud to hold it stationary. Using a wrench on the nut, break loose and remove the upper nut where the link attaches to the sway bar. If the stud spins freely and the nut will not break loose, stop and consult procedure for stud-spin removal — do not damage the sway bar.⚠Do not use an impact gun on the stud without holding it — you can shear or gall the threads.
- 4Loosen the lower sway bar link nutRepeat the same hold-and-turn procedure on the lower end of the link, where it attaches to the suspension knuckle/control arm. Remove the nut.
- 5Remove the end linkSeparate the link from both the sway bar and the lower mount. If suspension is unloaded and the sway bar has tension on it, you may need to gently pry the bar to align the stud through the eyelet. Do not pry against the air spring, brake line, wiring harness, or any orange cable (none should be present in this area, but verify).⚠If you encounter any orange cable in the work area, STOP. It does not belong here — verify you are working on the correct vehicle/area.
- 6Compare old and new partsLay the new manufacturer-specified end link next to the removed unit. Verify length, stud orientation, ball joint angle, and that any boots/seals are intact on the new part. The two ends of a sway bar link are sometimes not interchangeable — install in the correct orientation.
- 7Install the new end linkPosition the new link in the same orientation as the original. Thread both nuts on by hand — do not cross-thread. Ensure bushings/washers are seated correctly per the new part's design.
- 8Torque the sway bar link nutsHold each stud with an Allen key and torque each nut (upper and lower) to specification using a calibrated torque wrench. Both ends get the same torque value.⚠Holding the stud with the Allen key is mandatory — torque cannot be measured accurately if the stud is spinning.Torque specSway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
Reassembly
- Reinstall the rear wheel. Snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
- Lower the vehicle to the ground.
- Final-torque the lug nuts to OEM specification — refer to Tesla Service Manual for Cybertruck.
- Reconnect the 48V low-voltage battery using the manufacturer-specified procedure.
- Power up the vehicle and exit Jack/Service Mode for the air suspension.
- Allow the air suspension to re-level to its normal ride height before driving.
Verification
- With the vehicle at normal ride height on level ground, visually confirm the new link is centered and not binding at either ball joint.
- Bounce the rear corner by hand — listen for clunks, knocks, or rattles from the sway bar/link area.
- Test drive at low speed over uneven pavement and through gentle turns. The rear should feel planted with no clunking from the previously-failed side.
- Check the touchscreen for any new chassis, suspension, or stability control fault messages. The Cybertruck will often log a fault if a suspension component was reporting issues prior to repair — clear codes if necessary.
- Re-inspect the link nut torque and look for any movement marks after the first 100-200 miles of driving.
- While under the vehicle, take the opportunity to note service-interval items that may be due: brake fluid (every 2 years), cabin air filter (every 2 years), and rear drive unit gear oil (Tesla's current guidance is no longer 'lifetime' — initial service around 12,500 mi, then every 25,000–50,000 mi depending on use). Tire rotation is recommended every 6,250 mi on Cybertruck due to weight and torque.