Replace the front subframe (cradle) bushings on a 2024 Cybertruck Cyberbeast Tri Motor. The truck's stainless exoskeleton, 48V LV architecture, air suspension, and steer-by-wire system require specific precautions — the subframe must be supported and lowered partially to access the bushings.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Subframe bushing set (front cradle) × 4 — Manufacturer-specified Cybertruck front subframe bushing — verify by VIN
• Subframe mounting bolts (single-use if specified by Tesla) × 4 — Replace if torque-to-yield per Tesla service info
• Ball joint nut (if disturbed, single-use) × 2 — Replace per OEM single-use guidance if applicable

Preparation

1. Park on level ground, place in P, engage parking brake.
2. Exit ALL doors with key fob away from the vehicle. Wait at least 2 minutes for HV systems to fully de-energize, even on this non-HV job.
3. Disconnect the 48V low-voltage battery per Tesla service information for Cybertruck (location and connector differ from 12V Teslas — refer to the Service Manual for the specific disconnect point and procedure).
4. DO NOT touch, cut, or pierce ANY orange cable — these are high-voltage and lethal.
5. 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.
6. Place the vehicle in transport / jack mode to disable air suspension self-leveling before raising.
7. Confirm air suspension at the front axle has fully bled down or is mechanically supported before removing any suspension fasteners.
8. Have the replacement bushings, single-use fasteners (if specified), and a clean staging area ready before lifting.
9. Plan to perform a 4-wheel alignment and any steering angle / steer-by-wire calibration immediately after the job — do not return the vehicle to the customer without it.

Procedure

1. 1

   Lift vehicle and remove front wheels
   Using Tesla-approved lift pad adapters, raise the Cybertruck on a hoist rated for its weight. Avoid placing pads on the HV battery enclosure or exoskeleton seams. Remove front wheels.
   ⚠Use only the manufacturer-designated lift points. Incorrect points can damage the battery enclosure or exoskeleton.
2. 2

   Remove front underbody shielding
   Remove the front aero/skid shielding and any aero panels covering the front subframe. Note fastener locations — Cybertruck uses several shielding pieces and clip-style retainers. Set fasteners aside organized by location.
3. 3

   Disconnect sway bar end links from lower control arms
   Hold the stud with an Allen key and remove the sway bar link nut at each lower control arm to free the front sway bar from the suspension.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Separate lower ball joints (if required for clearance)
   If the chosen subframe-drop method requires it, remove the ball joint nuts and separate the lower ball joints from the steering knuckles using a non-marring separator. Support the knuckle/hub assembly so it does not hang from the brake hose or wiring.
   ⚠Do NOT let the hub/knuckle hang by the brake line, ABS wire, or any wiring harness.
   Torque spec

   Ball Joint Nut88 Nm (65 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Disconnect steering rack from subframe (if rack is subframe-mounted)
   Steer-by-wire: the front steering actuator/rack on Cybertruck is electrically driven with no column shaft. Disconnect the rack's electrical connectors only after confirming the 48V system is disconnected. Unbolt the rack from the subframe and support it with mechanic's wire — do not let it hang by its harness. Refer to the Tesla Service Manual for connector release procedure and any required calibration flag before disconnecting.
   ⚠️Confirm 48V LV is fully disconnected before unplugging steering actuator connectors. Live disconnects can damage the steer-by-wire ECU.
   ℹ️Steering angle / steer-by-wire centering calibration will be required after reassembly.
6. 6

   Mark subframe position and support it
   Using a paint pen, mark the subframe-to-body interface at all four mounting points so the subframe can be re-indexed exactly. Position a powertrain/transmission jack with a cradle adapter under the subframe and take up its weight.
   ⚠Failure to mark and re-index the subframe to the same position will cause alignment, geometry, and potentially steer-by-wire calibration issues.
7. 7

   Remove subframe mounting bolts and lower the subframe
   With the subframe fully supported, remove the subframe-to-body mounting bolts. Lower the subframe slowly only as far as required to access the bushings — watch for any harnesses, brake lines, coolant lines, or HV cables routed near the cradle. STOP immediately if any orange cable is in tension.
   ⚠️If lowering the subframe places any orange HV cable or HV component under tension or stress, STOP. Do not proceed without Tesla-certified guidance.
   ℹ️Tesla may specify these mounting bolts as single-use torque-to-yield. Replace per the Service Manual.
8. 8

   Press out old subframe bushings
   With the subframe lowered (or fully removed if the procedure requires), use a hydraulic press or the manufacturer-specified bushing service kit to remove each bushing. Inspect the subframe bushing bores for cracks, corrosion, or distortion before installing new bushings.
   ⚠Do not heat aluminum subframe components with a torch. Use only mechanical pressing methods specified by Tesla.
9. 9

   Install new bushings
   Press the new bushings into the subframe to the correct depth and clocking orientation. Some bushings are directional — verify orientation marks against the Tesla Service Manual before pressing fully home.
10. 10

    Raise subframe back into position
    Carefully raise the subframe with the powertrain jack, aligning to the paint marks made in Step 6. Start all subframe mounting bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading. Verify no harnesses, lines, or cables are pinched between the subframe and body.

Reassembly

1. Snug subframe mounting bolts in a cross pattern, verify alignment marks line up, then torque to OEM specification — refer to Tesla Service Manual (these are typically critical, often single-use, and may be torque-plus-angle).
2. Reinstall the steering rack/actuator to the subframe. Torque to OEM specification — refer to Tesla Service Manual.
3. Reconnect the steering actuator electrical connector(s) — verify locking tabs are fully seated.
4. Reconnect lower ball joints to knuckles using new nuts if specified. Torque using the 'Ball Joint Nut' spec.
5. Reinstall control arm fasteners as required. Final torque on control arm bolts must be done with the vehicle's weight on the wheels (rolling on the ground or on a drive-on lift) — see 'Control Arm Bolts' spec.
6. Reattach sway bar end links, holding the stud with an Allen key, and torque using the 'Sway Bar Link Nuts' spec.
7. If strut bolts or strut tower nuts were disturbed at any point, torque using the 'Strut Bolts' and 'Strut Tower Nuts' specs respectively.
8. Reinstall any small bracketry / shield mounting hardware using the 'Mounting Bolts' spec where applicable.
9. Reinstall front underbody shielding and aero panels.
10. Reinstall front wheels and torque lug nuts in a star pattern using the 'Wheel Lug Nuts' spec. Re-check lug torque after the vehicle has been driven a short distance.
11. Lower the vehicle to the ground and final-torque any 'on the wheels' fasteners (control arm bushing bolts).
12. Reconnect the 48V low-voltage battery per the Tesla service procedure for Cybertruck.

Verification

• Power up the vehicle and check for any chassis, suspension, steering, or air suspension fault messages on the touchscreen.
• Exit Service/Jack Mode and allow the air suspension to self-level. Confirm the truck reaches normal ride height at all four corners with no faults.
• Perform steering angle sensor / steer-by-wire centering calibration as required by Tesla service tooling. The yoke must point straight when wheels are straight — this is calibrated electronically, not mechanically.
• Perform a mandatory four-wheel alignment. Any time the subframe is loosened, alignment is required.
• Test drive at low speed first in a safe area: verify steering response, no clunks over bumps, and stable tracking. Then verify at highway speed.
• Recheck wheel lug torque after the test drive.
• Note for owner: Cybertruck brake fluid should be inspected/changed every 2 years and cabin air filter every 2 years per Tesla's recommendations — flag these if due, since the vehicle is already in the air.

More procedures for this vehicle