Replace the front lower control arm on a 2024 Tesla Cybertruck Dual Motor AWD. The Cybertruck uses an air suspension system and a 48V low-voltage architecture, so suspension procedures require care to preserve ride-height calibration and avoid damaging the air spring.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front Lower Control Arm Assembly (Cybertruck-specific) × 1 — OEM Tesla Cybertruck front LCA — refer to Tesla EPC
• Ball joint cotter pin × 1 — Manufacturer-specified cotter pin (replace, do not reuse)
• Control arm pivot bolts (if specified as one-time-use) × 2 — Refer to Tesla Service Manual — replace if listed as TTY/single-use

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 procedure (Cybertruck uses a 48V LV system, not 12V — connectors and fusing differ from other Teslas).
4. DO NOT touch, cut, or pierce ANY orange cable — these are high-voltage (800V on Cybertruck) 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. Engage Service Mode / Jack Mode on the touchscreen before disconnecting LV power, so the air suspension does not attempt to re-level when lifted.
7. Chock the rear wheels.
8. Loosen the front wheel lug nuts while the vehicle is on the ground.
9. Raise the front of the vehicle using manufacturer-specified lift points and support on rated jack stands. Cybertruck curb weight exceeds 6,600 lb — use heavy-duty stands.
10. Remove the front wheel on the side being serviced.
11. Inspect the work area for routing of any orange HV cable, LV harnesses, or air suspension lines before proceeding.

Procedure

1. 1

   Document and photograph baseline
   Photograph the existing control arm orientation, bushing alignment marks (if any), and routing of any clipped wiring or air lines. This will aid reassembly and alignment reference.
2. 2

   Disconnect sway bar end link from lower control arm
   Hold the sway bar link stud with an Allen key on the internal hex (if equipped) and remove the nut securing the sway bar link to the lower control arm. Swing the link out of the way.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link61 Nm (45 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Support the steering knuckle
   Place a jack stand or transmission jack under the steering knuckle to support its weight. This prevents the knuckle from hanging on the upper control arm/strut and damaging the half-shaft boot or wheel speed sensor harness once the lower ball joint is released.
   ⚠Do not let the knuckle hang freely — half-shaft inner joint damage can result.
4. 4

   Separate lower ball joint from steering knuckle
   Remove and discard the cotter pin from the ball joint nut. Loosen and remove the ball joint nut. Use a proper ball joint separator to release the lower ball joint stud from the knuckle. Avoid pickle-fork tools that will tear the boot if the joint is being reused on the new arm.
   ⚠Do not strike the steering knuckle or aluminum suspension components with a steel hammer — use a brass drift or shock-loading separator.
   Torque spec

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

   Release any clipped sensor harness or air line from the LCA
   Carefully unclip the wheel speed sensor harness, brake hose retainer, or air suspension line bracket if it is routed via the lower control arm. Note their position for reinstallation.
   ⚠Air suspension lines are pressurized when the system is active — only disturb after Service Mode is engaged and the system has been depressurized per OEM procedure if disconnection is required.
6. 6

   Remove inboard control arm pivot bolts
   Support the control arm. Remove the inboard pivot bolts/nuts securing the lower control arm to the front subframe. Note bolt orientation (head direction) for correct reinstallation. Lower the arm out of the vehicle.
   ℹ️If Tesla Service Manual lists these as single-use bolts, replace them. Refer to OEM specification.
   Torque spec

   Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Compare old and new control arms
   Lay the new lower control arm next to the old one and confirm bushing locations, ball joint orientation, and any cast-in alignment markings match. Confirm the part is correct for Cybertruck Dual Motor AWD (front LCAs are side-specific).
8. 8

   Install new lower control arm to subframe
   Position the new control arm in the subframe brackets. Install the inboard pivot bolts in the original orientation. Run them down snug but DO NOT final-torque yet — final torque must occur with vehicle weight on the wheels at ride height.
   ⚠Torquing rubber/hydraulic bushings while the suspension is at full droop will pre-load them and cause premature bushing failure.
9. 9

   Reconnect ball joint to steering knuckle
   Guide the lower ball joint stud into the steering knuckle. Install the ball joint nut and torque to specification. Install a NEW cotter pin. If the cotter pin holes don't align, tighten the nut slightly further — never back off — until alignment is achieved, staying within spec.
   Torque spec

   Ball Joint Nut88 Nm (65 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Reconnect sway bar end link
    Reconnect the sway bar end link to the control arm. Hold the stud with an Allen key and torque the nut to specification.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link61 Nm (45 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reattach sensor harness, brake hose, and any clips
    Re-secure the wheel speed sensor harness, brake hose bracket, and any other clips removed earlier in their original positions. Verify no harness is pinched or stretched at full steering or suspension travel.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts27 Nm (20 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Reinstall wheel and lower vehicle
    Reinstall the front wheel. Hand-snug the lug nuts. Lower the vehicle so full weight rests on the wheels at normal ride height. With air suspension, you may need to allow the system to self-level after exiting Service Mode and reconnecting LV power.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts136 Nm (100 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Final-torque the control arm pivot bolts at ride height
    With the vehicle at normal ride height and full weight on the wheels (rolling the vehicle a few feet to settle the suspension is recommended), torque the inboard control arm pivot bolts to specification. This step is critical for bushing longevity.
    Torque spec

    Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Final wheel torque
    Torque the wheel lug nuts to specification in a star/cross pattern.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts136 Nm (100 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reconnect the 48V low-voltage battery using proper sequence and re-torque the LV terminal to OEM specification.
2. Exit Service Mode / Jack Mode via the touchscreen.
3. Allow the air suspension to self-level. Confirm no fault messages appear on the instrument cluster regarding suspension, ABS, or steering.
4. Cycle the steering yoke lock-to-lock (steer-by-wire — vehicle must be powered) and confirm no binding, no warning lights, and that road-wheel response is normal.
5. Test brake pedal feel before moving the vehicle — confirm firm pedal.

Verification

• Perform a four-wheel alignment at a shop equipped to handle Cybertruck (steer-by-wire front and rear-steer rear). This is mandatory after any front control arm replacement.
• Road test at low speed first, listening for clunks over bumps that would indicate a loose pivot bolt or unseated ball joint.
• Recheck the new ball joint cotter pin is fully seated and bent over after the road test.
• Re-verify torque on the control arm pivot bolts after the first 100 miles is good practice on critical suspension fasteners.
• Confirm no suspension, ABS, or steering DTCs are present using a Tesla-compatible scan tool.
• Note: while this job is not on a Tesla service interval, the front suspension should be inspected at every tire rotation (Tesla recommends every 6,250 mi) for boot integrity and bushing condition.

More procedures for this vehicle