Does Aftermarket Rims and Tires Void Cybertruck Suspension or Control Arm Warranty?

[dexterlh]

Hey everyone,





I recently swapped my Cybertruck’s wheels/tires and wanted to get some input from others who have gone aftermarket. I’m running 24x10 wheels with 35x12.50R24 tires (lower offset than OEM), and almost immediately after the swap I started hearing suspension noise from the control arm/ball joint area — mostly when stationary while braking and turning the wheel at the same time.





My truck only has about 8,000 miles, so this feels way too early for control arm or ball joint wear. I’ve got a Tesla service appointment scheduled for 9/23, but I’m also going back to the tire shop to double-check torque, hub-centric fitment, and clearance.





My concern is: will Tesla point to the aftermarket wheels/tires as the cause and refuse to cover this under warranty? I know under Magnuson-Moss they technically have to prove the aftermarket part caused the issue, but I’ve seen mixed experiences on how Tesla service handles cases like this.





Questions for the group:

• Has anyone else experienced control arm or suspension noise this early (with or without aftermarket wheels)?
• Did Tesla honor the warranty, or did they blame aftermarket parts?
• Any tips for how to frame the service appointment so it gets handled under warranty?

Would love to hear others’ experiences before I go in.





Thanks!

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[Travis64]

Swap back to old ones when u go to Tesla?

 

[Mikec3399]

it should not void any warrantee however we all know how the service center works

 

[henchman24]

You'd be better off to swap back to factory wheels and tires before taking it in. I haven't experienced Tesla ever denying based off a wheel and tire change, but given the weight of those wheels, you'd be giving them a potential out. Putting trust in that service center to not deny when they could have a legitimate reason.

 

[dexterlh]

Swap back to old ones when u go to Tesla?

Yeah will likely just do that. Thanks!

You'd be better off to swap back to factory wheels and tires before taking it in. I haven't experienced Tesla ever denying based off a wheel and tire change, but given the weight of those wheels, you'd be giving them a potential out. Putting trust in that service center to not deny when they could have a legitimate reason.

agreed. I swapped back out before the appointment.

 

[CTCotopaxi]

If they are sane size/offset then no , Magnuson-Moss applies

 

[CyberGus]

My concern is: will Tesla point to the aftermarket wheels/tires as the cause and refuse to cover this under warranty?

Awhile back, someone on TMC was crying about Tesla denying their suspension-related warranty claim due to their non-OEM tires. Moss-Magnuson was cited, legal action was encouraged, and sympathy was bestowed all around.

But then, someone had the wisdom to ask "did you change the wheels also", and yes, in fact, they had installed wheels with a different offset. Compassion evaporated.

TL;DR: put on the OEM wheels!

 

[hemiarch]

Swap back to old ones when u go to Tesla?

This…give them no excuse

 

[henchman24]

Awhile back, someone on TMC was crying about Tesla denying their suspension-related warranty claim due to their non-OEM tires. Moss-Magnuson was cited, legal action was encouraged, and sympathy was bestowed all around.

But then, someone had the wisdom to ask "did you change the wheels also", and yes, in fact, they had installed wheels with a different offset. Compassion evaporated.

TL;DR: put on the OEM wheels!

I don't know what the situation on the tires was, but outside of going to <200 treadwear sticky tires or something absurdly heavy... I think Tesla would have a hard time denying a claim if anybody pushed back. Now different wheels gets into a lot of different factors. Especially here with 24" wheel/tire combo that are likely to be much heavier than the factory wheels. That's easily something they could excuse premature wear on.

Each service center is different though. I know the one I go to likely wouldn't have an issue (they didn't care when my M3P rolled in on Hoosiers), but it is a roll of the dice.

 

[hemiarch]

I posted a thread a while back asking who has actually improved any legit engineering parameters with a wheel and tire “upgrade” and didn’t get a single response.
I respect that people want to do this, but honestly, wouldn’t they kind of have a point if they chose to decline to cover suspension damage because of this?
I’ll reiterate, I think you should roll into the SC on stock wheels and tires to minimize the chances they will make you pay for the repair.

 

[henchman24]

I posted a thread a while back asking who has actually improved any legit engineering parameters with a wheel and tire “upgrade” and didn’t get a single response.
I respect that people want to do this, but honestly, wouldn’t they kind of have a point if they chose to decline to cover suspension damage because of this?
I’ll reiterate, I think you should roll into the SC on stock wheels and tires to minimize the chances they will make you pay for the repair.

What engineering parameters are you speaking of?

Every wheel and tire setup is a compromise. You can improve off-road capabilities with tires and wheels quite easily, but will have some drawbacks elsewhere with noise, range, and even legality (if you use beadlocks). You could also improve range with narrower, harder, lighter tires at the expense of traction and comfort. There are compromises between the AS and AT factory options that have varied outcomes.

IMO Tesla would be pretty unlikely to deny coverage on any change of tires on a factory wheel. With an aftermarket wheel of the same size and offset (or smaller size with same offset), I'd say they are also unlikely to deny. Going to 37s or 24" wheels or something way out of the spec... you can't really expect ball joints/tie rods/ control arms to be covered. You're putting them through stresses the factory didn't design around.

 

[hemiarch]

What engineering parameters are you speaking of?

Every wheel and tire setup is a compromise. You can improve off-road capabilities with tires and wheels quite easily, but will have some drawbacks elsewhere with noise, range, and even legality (if you use beadlocks). You could also improve range with narrower, harder, lighter tires at the expense of traction and comfort. There are compromises between the AS and AT factory options that have varied outcomes.

IMO Tesla would be pretty unlikely to deny coverage on any change of tires on a factory wheel. With an aftermarket wheel of the same size and offset (or smaller size with same offset), I'd say they are also unlikely to deny. Going to 37s or 24" wheels or something way out of the spec... you can't really expect ball joints/tie rods/ control arms to be covered. You're putting them through stresses the factory didn't design around.

Not tires but aftermarket wheels with spacers, offset changes, diameter changes, significant changes to unsprung weight etc.
I don’t know with certainly they would deny them but my experience says it’s likely. They once tried to deny me a falconwing door issue on the x because of an aftermarket door sill protector that didn’t touch the door. Just don’t give them an excuse.
The parameters I was asking about are in the thread below:
https://www.cybertruckownersclub.co...ire-combos-that-enhance-ct-performance.48075/

 

[Ruffles]

If the wheel/tire combo is the cause of the issue (different offset, weight, extra load on bearings, etc.), they can deny coverage. Also, they can deny working on aftermarket wheels for risk of damage. I had expensive rims on my Model Y and had a TPMS problem and Tesla told me up front they couldn't guarantee their equipment wouldn't scratch a rim when mounting/un mounting the wheel and given how nice there were, they didn't want to risk it. The best way to deal with Tesla service is be up front and own the possibility it won't be covered. This goes miles with them and with that approach, they always meet me in the middle or make accommodations. Make friends with them - and bring donuts

 

[henchman24]

Not tires but aftermarket wheels with spacers, offset changes, diameter changes, significant changes to unsprung weight etc.
I don’t know with certainly they would deny them but my experience says it’s likely. They once tried to deny me a falconwing door issue on the x because of an aftermarket door sill protector that didn’t touch the door. Just don’t give them an excuse.
The parameters I was asking about are in the thread below:
https://www.cybertruckownersclub.co...ire-combos-that-enhance-ct-performance.48075/

I generally agree with the idea of not giving them ammunition to deny. I can say I got my upper control arms replaced on my M3P under warranty when rolling in on some forged 18" wheels with Hoosier slicks. The techs there cared more about how the car did than denying me anything. That is going to be service center to service center. Always going to be a risk going to the service center without factory parts.

I'll jump over to that tread with my own insights.

 

[hemiarch]

That would be much appreciated

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