Replace worn front or rear subframe (cradle) bushings on a 2024 Cybertruck Dual Motor AWD. This is a heavy, suspension-load-bearing job requiring the subframe to be supported and partially or fully lowered from the vehicle.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Subframe bushing set (front or rear as applicable) × 4 — Manufacturer-specified Cybertruck subframe bushing — confirm front vs rear application
• Subframe-to-body mounting bolts (single-use if specified by Tesla) × 4 — OEM specification — replace if torque-to-yield
• Cotter pin(s) for any disturbed ball joint castle nuts × 2 — OEM-spec cotter pin

Preparation

1. Park on level ground, place in P, engage 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. Disconnect the 48V low-voltage battery (Cybertruck uses 48V LV — NOT 12V). Locate per Tesla service documentation and follow the correct disconnect sequence.
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 Service Mode / Jack Mode via the touchscreen to disable air suspension self-leveling before lifting.
7. Loosen wheel lug nuts while wheels are on the ground.
8. Lift the vehicle on a rated 2-post lift, supporting at the manufacturer-specified jacking points (use Tesla-approved lift pucks for Cybertruck).
9. Remove front and/or rear wheels as required for the subframe being serviced.
10. Remove underbody aero/skid panels covering the affected subframe; retain all fasteners by location.
11. Photograph routing of all wiring harnesses, hoses, and brackets attached to the subframe before disassembly.

Procedure

1. 1

   Mark alignment references
   Using a paint pen, mark the position of all eccentric/cam bolts, control arm bolts, and the subframe's position relative to the body. These marks aid reassembly but do not eliminate the need for a post-repair alignment.
2. 2

   Disconnect sway bar end links
   Separate the sway bar end links from the lower control arms (or strut, depending on which subframe). Hold the link shaft with an Allen key while loosening the nut to prevent the ball stud from spinning. Set the link aside.
   Torque spec

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

   Separate steering / drive components
   For the front subframe: disconnect the steer-by-wire actuator's electrical connectors and any tie rod hardware as required to allow subframe drop. For the rear: disconnect any steering actuators if equipped. DO NOT rotate the yoke or steering rack output shafts while disconnected.
   ⚠️Steer-by-wire actuator connectors must be handled per Tesla service procedure. Improper disconnection can set DTCs requiring software reset.
4. 4

   Disconnect lower ball joints / control arm outer ends
   Separate the lower ball joints from the steering knuckles using a ball joint separator. Discard old cotter pins. Support the knuckle assemblies so they do not hang on the brake hose, ABS line, or HV motor cabling.
   ⚠Do not allow the hub/knuckle to hang by the brake hose or wheel speed sensor harness.
   Torque spec

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

   Detach driveshafts / halfshafts as required
   If the subframe being serviced carries a drive unit or halfshaft pass-throughs, support the drive unit independently and disconnect halfshafts from the hubs only as needed to allow subframe drop. Do NOT disconnect orange HV cables — if subframe drop requires HV disconnection, STOP.
   ⚠️If subframe removal appears to require disconnecting any orange HV cable or removing the drive unit, this job exceeds the scope of this procedure — refer to a Tesla-certified technician.
6. 6

   Support the subframe
   Position a powertrain jack or subframe cradle table squarely under the subframe. Apply light upward preload to take the weight off the mounting bolts. Verify the subframe is balanced on the support before removing any bolts.
7. 7

   Remove subframe mounting bolts
   Working in a cross pattern, loosen and remove the subframe-to-body mounting bolts. Lower the subframe slowly — only as far as required to access the bushings. If full removal is needed, continue lowering while watching all attached lines, harnesses, and HV cabling for clearance.
   ⚠Subframe assemblies on Cybertruck are very heavy. Use two technicians or a stable cradle table — do not balance on a single floor jack.
8. 8

   Press out old bushings
   With the subframe lowered (or removed and on a bench), press out the old bushings using a hydraulic press or in-situ bushing R&R tool kit. Inspect each bushing pocket in the subframe for cracks, ovalization, or corrosion before installing new bushings.
   ⚠Do not heat bushings with a torch — proximity to HV cabling, brake lines, and aluminum/composite components makes this unsafe.
9. 9

   Install new bushings
   Press new bushings squarely into each pocket using the correct driver/cup sizes. Observe any directional indexing marks on the bushings — many performance bushings have a void orientation that must align with the vehicle's fore-aft axis. Confirm bushings are fully seated.
10. 10

    Raise and align subframe to body
    Raise the subframe slowly back into position, aligning to the reference marks made earlier. Use alignment dowels or tapered punches through the mounting holes to achieve precise positioning before starting bolts by hand.
11. 11

    Install subframe mounting bolts
    Install new subframe mounting bolts if specified as single-use by Tesla. Torque to OEM specification — refer to Tesla Service Manual for the exact subframe-to-body bolt torque (this value is not in the verified data set for this procedure and must not be guessed).
    ⚠Subframe-to-body bolts may be torque-to-yield on this platform. Verify reuse policy in Tesla service documentation before reinstalling old bolts.
12. 12

    Reconnect suspension and steering components
    Reattach lower ball joints with new cotter pins, reconnect sway bar end links, reconnect steer-by-wire and any sensor harnesses, and reinstall halfshafts/driveshafts as applicable. Route all harnesses exactly as photographed.
    Torque spec

    Ball Joint Nut88 Nm (65 lb-ft)

    Sway Bar Link61 Nm (45 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Final torque on control arm bolts with weight on wheels
    Lower the vehicle so suspension is loaded at curb height before performing final torque on any control arm pivot bolts. Torquing at full droop will preload the new bushings incorrectly and cause premature failure.
    ⚠This step is critical for bushing life — never final-torque control arm bolts with the suspension hanging.
    Torque spec

    Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reinstall underbody aero/skid panels and any heat shields removed for access.
2. Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts in a star pattern.
3. Lower the vehicle fully to the ground.
4. Reconnect the 48V low-voltage battery in the correct sequence.
5. Exit Service Mode / Jack Mode and allow the air suspension to self-level.
6. Top off washer fluid if disturbed; no other fluids are required for this job.

Verification

• Perform a four-wheel alignment — required after any subframe service. Cybertruck's steer-by-wire system also relies on accurate alignment data.
• Scan for DTCs using a Tesla-compatible diagnostic interface; clear any codes set during the steer-by-wire connector disconnection and verify they do not return.
• Test drive at low speed first — listen for clunks, verify steering response is centered and proportional, and confirm air suspension levels correctly at all four corners.
• Re-inspect all subframe and control arm fasteners after the first 100 miles for any signs of movement (paint marks misaligned, witness marks).
• Note: While at the alignment rack, verify that other interval-based services are current — brake fluid (every 2 years), cabin air filter (every 2 years), and drive unit gear oil (Tesla now recommends initial service at ~12,500 mi then every 25,000–50,000 mi).
• Torque Wheel Lug Nuts to spec in star pattern.

More procedures for this vehicle