Why Tesla Suspension Bushes Wear Out – Fix the Problem for Good

What Are Suspension Bushes – And Why They Matter

Suspension bushes might be small, but they play a huge role in how your Tesla feels on the road.

They are rubber or polyurethane components mounted inside the suspension arms, subframes, and various pivot points. Their primary jobs are:

• Reducing noise and vibration from the road

• Allowing controlled movement in the suspension geometry

• Maintaining wheel alignment for stable handling

When they’re fresh, they isolate you from bumps, keep your steering sharp, and help tyres wear evenly.

When they’re worn… well, that’s where the problems begin.

 

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Why Tesla Suspension Bushes Wear Out Faster Than Expected

Many Tesla owners are surprised when their suspension bushes fail earlier than expected — sometimes as early as 40,000–50,000 miles. Here’s why it happens:

1. Weight – EVs Are Naturally Heavy

A Tesla battery pack adds hundreds of kilos to the car’s weight compared to a similar petrol or diesel car.  That extra mass puts a greater load through every suspension component — and bushes take the brunt of it.

2. Instant Torque

Tesla’s signature party trick — near-instant acceleration — is also tough on the suspension.  Each time you unleash that torque, it twists and loads the bushes far more than a traditional powertrain would.

3. Road Salt and UK Weather

In Northern parts of the world, winter salt, rain, and grit all work against the lifespan of suspension parts.  Moisture can penetrate bush housings, causing the rubber to degrade and surrounding metal to corrode. Seems like a car designed in California perhaps didn't get the test of surviving several UK winters...

4. Soft OEM Rubber

Tesla’s original bushes are designed for comfort, using relatively soft rubber. The downside? Under EV loads, this softer material cracks, tears, or deforms faster.

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Can I Just Replace The Rubber Bushes Alone?

Simple answer: no.

When a Tesla bush wears out, you'll need to replace the whole suspension arm in full.

Now, replacing the full suspension arm may seem a little extreme for just a small, worn-out rubber bush. But in common with almost all manufacturers, Tesla press these bushes under great force into the aluminium arm in the factory. To remove the old, broken bush and accurately press-in the new replacement is near-impossible, and risks damaging either the old arm or the new bush. So, a full arm replacement it is.

While we're talking about replacing the arms, we'd always recommend fitting the arms in pairs, or even in fours. After all, if a bush on one side has worn, you can be pretty sure that all of the related arms around it will be on their way out too. 

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The Symptoms of Worn Suspension Bushes

Bush wear often happens gradually, so you might not notice a problem until the car’s handling has already declined. Often, it's only by renewing the suspension arms that you realise quite how far your car's dynamics have deteriorated.

Look for these warning signs:

• Clunking or knocking noises - when driving over bumps or turning

• Vague steering feel – the car drifts or wanders more than before

• Uneven tyre wear – particularly on the inside edges

• Loose or unsettled feeling - when changing direction quickly

• Increased road noise – more vibration and harshness inside the cabin

• Poor alignment retention – wheel alignment won’t stay correct for long

The difference between worn and fresh bushes can be night and day — restoring sharpness and comfort instantly.

 

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Why Replacing with OEM Bushes Isn’t the Best Long-Term Fix

It’s tempting to replace worn bushes with genuine Tesla parts. While this will bring the car back to “as new” condition, the problem is simple: you’re installing the same design that failed the first time.

Einstein famously said that "the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results". Maybe he somehow foresaw the problems with replacement Tesla suspension bushes....

The same loads, the same soft material, and the same environmental factors will cause them to wear in just the same way, yet again. This means you’ll likely be revisiting the same repair much sooner than you’d like.

Then the temptation to buy cheap, Far-Eastern copy parts can also be strong — but the risks are real. Unknown materials, questionable quality control, and unproven safety standards can all lead to headaches (or worse) down the road.

 

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How PWRD Uprated Suspension Arms Solve the Problem

PWRD has developed a better way — our Uprated Suspension Arms are engineered to outperform and outlast Tesla originals, while still fitting exactly as the OEM parts do.

Stronger Construction

We use more rigid arm designs that resist flex, keeping your suspension geometry accurate even under the heavy loads of EV driving.

High-Performance Bush Materials

Our bushes use uprated compounds that are far more resistant to deformation, cracking, and ageing.
They maintain compliance for comfort but without the premature wear of OEM rubber.

Corrosion Resistance

All arms are treated and coated to survive years of UK road salt, moisture, and grit — ensuring bushes stay correctly seated and perform consistently.

OEM Fit, Performance Upgrade

No modifications are needed — they bolt straight on.
But from the first drive, you’ll notice sharper steering, improved stability, and a longer service life.

 

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Why Suspension Upgrades Are Especially Valuable for EVs

Unlike petrol or diesel cars, your Tesla’s key mechanical systems — the motor, the batteries, the driveline — don’t degrade in the same way. Even with six figures on the odometer, the performance remains just as strong and smooth as the day it left the factory.

That means the most noticeable wear you’ll experience comes from components like tyres, brakes, and suspension bushes. Refreshing these parts can completely transform how the car drives — making it feel new again, and fresh for the next 100,000 miles.

By fitting PWRD Uprated Suspension Arms, you get:

• A stronger, longer-lasting solution

• Handling and comfort restored to better-than-new levels

• A chassis ready to take on the next 100,000 miles

Your Tesla’s drivetrain is already built for the long haul — now your suspension can be too.

 

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