Cybertruck wheels snap like tree branches in bizarre TikTok

Few cars divide opinion quite like the Tesla Cybertruck. Its polarizing design isn’t even controversial—some people love its sci-fi aesthetic, while others can’t stand its unpolished appearance, comparing it to lifelike children’s drawings. No matter which side you’re on, there’s no denying that it paved the way for other electric pickup trucks. However, it’s also proven to be fraught with issues, with a recent video shared to TikTok seemingly suggesting the wheels may be more fragile than expected.

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Earlier this year, Tesla had to fix the standard aerodynamic covers on the Cybertruck wheels after reports that they were chewing on tire sidewalls. However, this latest potential issue has nothing to do with the wheel caps, but rather the alloy rims themselves. More specifically, the Cybertruck’s wheels were shattered in a rather strange way, leading to speculation that they might not be as durable as they should be.

Read: The sixth time is the charm? Tesla Cybertruck recalled due to loss of driving power

It’s unclear exactly what caused the wheel to break like this. Some believe this could have been caused by a pothole, although it seems unlikely that this type of damage could have been caused by something so minor. Other viewers speculated that the impact could have occurred against the concrete wall visible in the video, but if that was the case, one would expect more damage to the side of the car.

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What is clear is the extent of the damage. Many of the spokes on the front wheel were broken and cracks were visible around the center section where they connect to the hub. The damage to the rear wheel was even more severe as the entire rim came off the hub except for some material around the lug nuts.

The Cybertruck’s wheels may be made of cast aluminum. Most cars on the market come with cast aluminum wheels from the factory because they are relatively cheap, but inconsistent materials used in the manufacturing process can make them perform worse. The fancier rims are forged and, in addition to being stronger, are also significantly lighter.

Perhaps one of the reasons this Cybertruck rim was such a flop is that the electric pickup truck weighs over 6,600 pounds, or over 3,000 kilograms, in its lightest configuration, which puts additional weight on some components like wheels and tires. pressure.

The person who posted the two videos on TikTok wrote that Tesla has a problem and should be recalled. However, without more information, it’s impossible to determine if this is a widespread issue affecting other Cybertrucks.

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Image credit: jordan8tatum/TikTok