Replace a rear lower control arm on a 2024 Tesla Cybertruck Dual Motor AWD. The Cybertruck uses a 48V low-voltage system and air suspension, both of which require special handling before lifting.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear lower control arm assembly (manufacturer-specified for Cybertruck) × 1 — Refer to Tesla EPC for 2024 Cybertruck Dual Motor rear LCA
• Ball joint cotter pin (new) × 1 — OEM-spec cotter pin
• Control arm pivot bolts (replace if marked single-use by Tesla) × 2 — Refer to Tesla Service Manual

Preparation

1. Park on level ground, place in P, and engage the parking brake.
2. 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.
3. Place the air suspension in Jack Mode / Service Mode via the touchscreen so the system does not attempt to self-level.
4. Disconnect the 48V low-voltage battery per Tesla Service Manual procedure (note: this is 48V, not 12V — confirm correct disconnect sequence).
5. DO NOT touch, cut, or pierce ANY orange cable — these are 800V high-voltage and lethal.
6. 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.
7. Chock the front wheels, break the rear wheel lugs loose while on the ground, then raise the vehicle on a lift rated for Cybertruck weight.
8. Support the rear at the manufacturer-specified lift points only — do not lift on the battery enclosure or exoskeleton seams.

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove rear wheel
   With the vehicle safely supported, remove the rear wheel lug nuts and set the wheel aside on a soft surface. Inspect lug threads and hub face for damage.
2. 2

   Document suspension geometry
   Photograph the lower control arm location, bushing orientation, and any alignment cam markings before removal. Cybertruck rear suspension is complex; reference photos prevent reassembly errors.
3. 3

   Disconnect sway bar end link
   Hold the sway bar link shaft with an Allen key and remove the nut securing the link to the lower control arm. Swing the link clear.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link61 Nm (45 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Support the knuckle/upright
   Place a jack stand or transmission jack under the rear knuckle to support it once the control arm is released. This prevents strain on the half-shaft, brake hose, and wiring.
   ⚠Do not allow the knuckle to hang on the half-shaft or brake line — both can be damaged.
5. 5

   Separate ball joint (if applicable to this arm position)
   If the lower control arm terminates in a ball joint at the knuckle, remove the cotter pin and castellated nut, then separate the ball joint stud using a press-style separator. Discard the cotter pin — a new one is required on reassembly.
   ⚠Do not strike the knuckle with a hammer. Use a press-style separator to avoid damaging the boot or stainless components.
   Torque spec

   Ball Joint Nut88 Nm (65 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove inboard control arm pivot bolt(s)
   Mark any alignment cam positions before loosening. Support the arm and remove the inboard pivot bolt(s) attaching the control arm to the subframe. Slide the arm free.
   ℹ️If the bolts are marked as single-use (TTY) in the Tesla Service Manual, replace them.
   Torque spec

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

   Inspect related components
   With the arm out, inspect the bushing pockets, ball joint boot, sway bar link, air spring, and brake/wiring harness routing for damage or wear. Address any additional issues before reassembly.
8. 8

   Install new lower control arm
   Position the new control arm. Hand-thread the inboard pivot bolt(s) and the outboard ball joint stud. Do NOT fully torque the inboard bolts yet — they must be torqued at ride height.
9. 9

   Torque ball joint and install new cotter pin
   Torque the ball joint nut to specification, then advance (never back off) to align the castellation with the cotter pin hole. Install a new cotter pin and bend the legs per OEM specification.
   Torque spec

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

    Reconnect sway bar end link
    Reattach the sway bar end link to the control arm, holding the shaft with an Allen key while torquing the nut.
    Torque spec

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

    Reinstall wheel
    Mount the rear wheel and snug the lug nuts in a star pattern. Final torque is performed once the vehicle is on the ground.
12. 12

    Lower vehicle to ride height for final pivot torque
    Lower the vehicle so suspension is loaded at normal ride height (use drive-on ramps or wheel-supporting stands). With the vehicle weight on the wheels, torque the inboard control arm pivot bolt(s) to specification. This prevents bushing preload.
    ⚠Torquing the pivot bolts while the suspension is drooped will damage the bushings and shorten arm life dramatically.
    Torque spec

    Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
13. 13

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

    Wheel Lug Nuts136 Nm (100 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Confirm all fasteners are torqued and the new cotter pin is fully bent.
2. Reconnect the 48V low-voltage battery following the Tesla-specified reconnect sequence.
3. Exit Jack/Service Mode on the touchscreen and allow the air suspension to re-level. Listen for unusual compressor behavior.
4. Cycle the suspension through Low / Standard / High via the touchscreen to verify normal operation.
5. Clear any chassis or suspension fault codes that appeared during the LV disconnect.
6. Perform a 4-wheel alignment — Cybertruck rear suspension geometry is sensitive and any control arm replacement requires alignment verification.

Verification

• Confirm no suspension, ABS, or stability control warnings are displayed on the touchscreen.
• With the vehicle at normal ride height, verify the air suspension levels evenly side-to-side and front-to-rear.
• Test drive at low speed first, listening for clunks, binding, or steering anomalies (steer-by-wire will not give traditional feedback — rely on warning messages and tracking).
• Recheck control arm pivot bolt and ball joint torque after the first 100 miles.
• Note: while you are under the vehicle, this is also a convenient time to inspect rear drive unit gear oil — Tesla now recommends initial service at 12,500 mi and intervals of 25,000–50,000 mi thereafter, contrary to older 'lifetime' marketing claims.

More procedures for this vehicle