brakes

Brake Caliper Slide Pins

for 2022 Rivian EDV 500 Dual Motor AWD (EDV) · AWD

Editorial review:Chris Hackleman — Master Technician · 20+ years · Jeff Moore — Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years

Difficulty

Moderate

Time

2.0 h

Tools

Steps

✓Expert-verified. Personally reviewed and approved by OLP's master technicians (Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — 20+ years each). Always follow the vehicle's factory service information and torque specs.

Service or replacement of brake caliper slide pins to restore proper caliper movement and ensure safe brake operation on the 2022 Rivian EDV 500.

Warnings

⚠️SAFETY-CRITICAL: Brake system failure can result in loss of vehicle control, serious injury, or death. If you encounter any unexpected conditions or are uncertain about any procedure, consult a qualified technician immediately.

⚠️This vehicle weighs significantly more than conventional vehicles due to battery weight. Ensure jack stands are rated for EV weight (minimum 7000 lbs total capacity) and properly positioned on designated lift points.

⚠️Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack. Always use properly rated jack stands on firm, level ground.

⚠The Rivian EDV 500 uses a regenerative braking system. Vehicle may roll unexpectedly if not in Park with parking brake engaged. Do not rely solely on the electric parking brake; use wheel chocks.

⚠Brake fluid is corrosive and will damage paint. Cover painted surfaces and rinse immediately if contact occurs.

⚠Do NOT use petroleum-based lubricants on brake components. Only use approved synthetic brake caliper grease.

ℹ️Rivian service mode may be required to retract electronic parking brake calipers on rear wheels. Consult vehicle manual for access to service mode if rear calipers have integrated parking brake.

Tools required

Floor jack and jack stands rated for EV weightEssential

Wheel chocksEssential

Torque wrenchEssential

Socket set (metric)Essential

Wire brushEssential

Brake cleanerEssential

C-clamp or brake caliper piston tool

Turkey baster or brake fluid syringe

Penetrating oil

Nitrile glovesEssential

Parts

Brake caliper slide pin kit (includes pins, boots, and hardware) × 4 — Use OEM Rivian specification
Brake caliper slide pin grease (synthetic high-temperature) × 1 — Use silicone or PTFE-based brake grease
Brake hardware kit (optional, if clips are damaged) × 2 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

DOT 4 Brake Fluid — 0.5 qt

Preparation

Park vehicle on level, firm surface and engage parking brake
Place transmission in Park mode and turn off vehicle completely
Place wheel chocks behind wheels that will remain on ground
Verify vehicle is fully powered down and wait 2 minutes for high-voltage system to discharge
Locate designated lift points in owner's manual specific to EDV 500 chassis
Remove brake fluid reservoir cap and use turkey baster to remove approximately 1/4 of fluid to prevent overflow when compressing pistons
Loosen wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground (do not remove)
Raise vehicle using floor jack at designated lift points and secure with properly rated jack stands
Remove wheels completely and set aside in safe location

Procedure

1
Inspect brake caliper and identify slide pin locations
Examine the brake caliper to locate the two slide pins (also called guide pins) on each caliper. These are typically located on the inboard side of the caliper bracket. Check for torn boots, corrosion, or seized pins. Take photos for reference during reassembly.
2
Remove caliper from bracket
Remove the lower caliper slide pin bolt only, leaving the upper bolt in place. Rotate the caliper upward on the upper slide pin to access the brake pads. If both pins need service, remove both slide pin bolts and completely remove the caliper. Support the caliper with a wire or bungee cord to avoid stressing the brake hose. Do NOT let the caliper hang by the brake line.
⚠Never allow the brake caliper to hang by the flexible brake hose. This can cause internal hose damage and brake failure.
3
Remove slide pins from caliper bracket
Extract the slide pins from the caliper bracket by pulling them straight out. If pins are seized, apply penetrating oil and allow to soak for 15-20 minutes. Gently tap with a plastic mallet if necessary. Remove and discard the rubber dust boots from the bracket.
4
Clean caliper bracket slide pin bores
Spray brake cleaner into the slide pin bores in the caliper bracket. Use a wire brush to thoroughly clean the bores, removing all old grease, dirt, and corrosion. Dry completely with compressed air or lint-free cloths. Inspect bores for deep pitting or damage; if present, the bracket may need replacement.
5
Inspect and clean or replace slide pins
Examine slide pins for corrosion, pitting, wear, or damage. If pins show significant wear or corrosion, replace with new pins from the slide pin kit. Clean reusable pins thoroughly with brake cleaner and wire brush. Pins must be smooth and free of pitting for proper operation.
6
Apply grease to slide pins
Apply a thin, even coat of synthetic high-temperature brake caliper grease to the entire length of each slide pin. Use only the grease specified for brake caliper applications (silicone or PTFE-based). Do NOT over-grease; excess grease can attract contaminants.
7
Install new dust boots
Install new rubber dust boots into the caliper bracket bores, ensuring they are fully seated and properly oriented. Boots should fit snugly without gaps or folds.
8
Install slide pins into bracket
Insert the greased slide pins into the caliper bracket bores through the dust boots. Push pins in completely until fully seated. Pins should slide smoothly with slight resistance. If pins bind or stick, remove and inspect for contamination or damage.
9
Reinstall brake caliper
If caliper was completely removed, position it over the brake pads and align with the slide pins. Rotate the caliper down into position over the rotor and pads. Install the slide pin bolts and tighten to manufacturer specifications. Note: Without published torque specifications, tighten slide pin bolts firmly (typically 25-35 ft-lbs for similar vehicles) plus an additional 1/8 turn, ensuring caliper moves freely on pins.
⚠Slide pin bolts must be properly torqued. Over-tightening can damage threads or prevent proper caliper movement. Under-tightening can allow caliper to separate, causing brake failure.
10
Verify caliper movement
After installation, push and pull the caliper by hand to verify it slides freely on the pins. There should be smooth movement with no binding. If movement is restricted, remove caliper and inspect pins and bores for proper installation and adequate lubrication.
11
Repeat for remaining calipers
Perform steps 1-10 for each remaining brake caliper (front left, front right, rear left, rear right as needed). Service all calipers to ensure balanced brake performance.
12
Reinstall wheels and lower vehicle
Reinstall wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts in a star pattern. Lower vehicle until wheels just touch ground but vehicle weight is still on jack stands. Torque lug nuts to manufacturer specification in star pattern. Completely lower vehicle and remove jack stands. Perform final lug nut torque check.

Reassembly

Top off brake fluid reservoir to MAX line with fresh DOT 4 brake fluid
Reinstall brake fluid reservoir cap securely
Pump brake pedal slowly 10-15 times until firm pedal is achieved
Check brake fluid level again and top off if necessary
Inspect all brake hoses and connections for leaks or damage
Test electronic parking brake function if rear calipers were serviced

Verification

Start vehicle and verify no brake warning lights are illuminated on dashboard
With vehicle stationary, press brake pedal firmly and verify it is firm and does not slowly sink to floor
Perform low-speed brake test in safe area (5-10 mph) to verify brakes engage smoothly without pulling to one side
Perform moderate-speed brake test (20-30 mph) in safe area to verify proper brake function and pedal feel
Listen for any unusual noises during brake application (grinding, squealing, or clicking may indicate improper installation)
After test drive, inspect wheels for unusual heat (slight warmth is normal, but one wheel significantly hotter than others indicates a dragging caliper)
Re-check brake fluid level after test drive and verify no leaks are present at calipers or brake lines
If ANY abnormalities are detected, do not drive vehicle and consult a qualified technician immediately

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