Suspension

Last updated: December 13, 2023

Overview

Front and Rear Chassis

The Cybertruck suspension is a double wishbone design for the front and rear chassis subassemblies. The suspension arms are the direct mechanical linkages that connect the road wheels to the subframes. The subframes secure the front and rear chassis subassemblies to the rest of the vehicle body.

Cybertruck Front Suspension

Front Suspension

Front Subframe

The front subframe is the foundation of the front suspension assembly. It is made of welded steel. The front stabar, front steering rack, tow hooks, front drive unit, and front lower control arms are mounted directly to the front subframe. The front subframe secures the front suspension assembly to the rear underbody casting of the truck with 8 fasteners. The fasteners used to secure the subframe and the body pass through collars that are welded inside the frame.

Cybertruck Front Subframe

Front Subframe Serviceability

The front subframe is fully replaceable but not serviceable. There are numerous welded nut fasteners and studs on the front subframe. If they break off or cross thread, it is necessary to replace the front subframe. There are no authorized threaded insert repairs for the front subframe.

Front Control Arms and Links

The front suspension is a double wishbone design. This is a reference to the shape of the upper and lower control arms. The front upper and lower control arm features a ball joint attachment point on the knuckle. This is secured with a nut that threads onto the opposing bearing surface of the knuckle. The other two attachment points on the lower control arms feature two bushings that bolt into clevis mounts on the subframe. The upper control arm bolts onto the front casting.

The lower control arm is the lower attachment point for the stabar links and the air spring. The stabar links are bolted onto the stabar. The stabar is secured to the front subframe.

Front Upper and Lower Control Arms with Aero Covers

Front Stabar and Stabar Links

Front Control Arms and Links Serviceability

Front upper and lower control arms, stabilizer bars, and stabilizer bar links are replaceable but not internally serviceable. Suspension noise complaints can be diagnosed by inspecting the ball joint articulation for play, which may manifest as clicking, rattling, or squeaking noises. Additionally, the bushings should be inspected by visually checking for cracks and listening for clicking noises while articulating the control arm with the mounting flange clamped in a bench vice. If any defects are found in the link, ball joint, bushing, or control arm, a replacement is necessary.

Air Springs

The Air Spring Dampers are used to raise the vehicle height and control the ride comfort tune. Each spring uses a fiber-reinforced rubber sleeve that rolls along a contour. An aluminum restraining cylinder constrains radial inflation of the sleeve. As the spring inflates, the length of the overall module increases between the top body mount and the lower control arm mount, raising the vehicle and increasing the spring’s air volume. See more information about Air Springs in the Air Suspension section of Cybertruck Theory of Operation.

Air Spring Modules - Front (Left) Rear (Right)

Front Knuckle Assembly

Cybertruck has two front knuckle assemblies that mount to the upper and lower control arms. Both assemblies are each comprised of a knuckle that is bolted onto the hub. The rotor mounts onto the hub, which secures the rotor, hub, and wheels together with lug nuts. The front and rear hubs are a 6 x 139.7 mm lug pattern. When the brake pedal is applied, it clamps the brake pads onto the rotor and slows the vehicle down. There is a dust shield mounted onto the knuckle. Torque from the drive unit travels through each halfshaft, which translates the torque to the hub through the face spline interface. When the driver steers clockwise and counterclockwise, the steering rack moves the tie rods, which are bolted to the front knuckles left and right and moves the road wheels in the same direction. The front knuckles pivot left and right and travel up and down to allow the road wheels to articulate over varying road conditions.

Front Knuckle Assembly - Inboard vs Outboard View

Front Knuckle Serviceability

The front knuckle subassembly can be fully replaced. However, only the hub is internally serviceable. The hub studs can be pressed out and replaced. At the leading edge of the front knuckle is the "Crash Fist," which can be removed for smaller rim wheels. It is designed to prevent the rim from collapsing during front end collisions.

Cybertruck Rear Suspension

Rear Suspension

Rear Subframe

The rear stabar, rear drive unit, rear steering gear, and rear lower control arms are mounted directly to the rear subframe. The rear subframe secures the rear suspension assembly onto the body of the truck with 4 fasteners. It is made of die-cast aluminum.

Rear Subframe

Rear Subframe Serviceability

The rear subframe is fully replaceable but not serviceable. There are several threaded bosses on the rear subframe. If they cross thread, it is necessary to replace the rear subframe. There are no authorized threaded insert repairs for the rear subframe.

Rear Control Arms and Links

The rear suspension is similar to the front suspension; it is a double wishbone design. The rear upper and lower control arms feature a welded nut, which secures to the ball joints on the knuckle. The other two attachment points on the lower control arm features two bushings that bolt onto the subframe. The upper control arm bolts onto the rear casting.

The lower control arm is the lower attachment point for the rear stabar links and the rear air springs. The rear stabar links are bolted onto the rear stabar. The rear stabar is secured to the rear subframe.

Rear Upper and Lower Control Arms

Rear Stabar and Stabar Links

Rear Control Arms and Links Serviceability

The same guidance provided on serviceability for the front applies to the rear. However, note that the control arm ball joints are integrated into the rear knuckle. See knuckle serviceability below.

Rear Knuckle Assembly

Cybertruck has two rear knuckle assemblies that mount to the control arms. Both assemblies are comprised of a knuckle that is bolted onto the hub. The rotor mounts onto the hub, which secures the rotor, hub, and wheels together with lug nuts. When the brake pedal is applied, the brake pads clamp onto the rotor, and the vehicle slows down. There is a dust shield mounted onto the knuckle. The rear steering gear, which is bolted onto the subframe, has two tie rods that secure to both rear knuckle assemblies. When the gear moves side to side, it pushes the tie rods resulting in the wheels pivoting side to side.

Rear Knuckle Assembly - Inboard vs Outboard View

Rear Knuckle Assembly Serviceability

The rear knuckle subassembly can be fully replaced. However, only the rear hub is internally serviceable. The hub studs can be pressed out and replaced. If the rear ball joints were to wear out, fail, or become otherwise damaged, it will require a full rear knuckle replacement. The rear knuckle ball joints are not serviceable.

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