brakes

Brake Rotor - Rear Single

for 2023 Rivian EDV 500 Dual Motor AWD (EDV) · FWD

Editorial review:Chris Hackleman — Master Technician · 20+ years

Difficulty

Moderate

Time

1.2 h

Tools

Steps

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

Replace a single rear brake rotor on a 2023 Rivian EDV 500, including removal of the wheel, brake caliper, and caliper bracket to access and replace the rotor.

Warnings

⚠️This is a SAFETY-CRITICAL brake system repair. Any errors can result in brake failure, causing serious injury or death. If you are uncertain about any step, seek professional service immediately.

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

⚠️The Rivian EDV 500 is extremely heavy (8,500+ lbs). Ensure jack and jack stands are rated for at least 4 tons per stand and positioned correctly per manufacturer jacking points.

⚠Brake dust may contain harmful materials. Avoid breathing dust and do not use compressed air to clean brake components. Use brake parts cleaner or wet cleaning methods only.

⚠Electric vehicles can move unexpectedly if not properly secured. Ensure the vehicle is in Park, parking brake is engaged (if not servicing parking brake), and wheel chocks are in place.

⚠Brake fluid is corrosive to paint and toxic. Avoid skin contact and spillage. Keep away from vehicle finish.

ℹ️Torque specifications are not available in the database for this vehicle. You MUST obtain official Rivian service information with proper torque values before proceeding. Typical values are 25-35 ft-lb for caliper bolts and 75-100 ft-lb for caliper bracket bolts, but verify with manufacturer specifications.

Tools required

Floor jackEssential

Jack standsEssential

Torque wrench (capable of 100+ ft-lb)Essential

Socket set (metric)Essential

Breaker bar

Wire hanger or bungee cordEssential

C-clamp or brake caliper piston toolEssential

Impact wrench (optional)

Wire brush

Brake parts cleaner

Anti-seize compound

Micrometer or rotor thickness gauge

As an Amazon Associate and Autel/ANCEL partner, OLP earns from qualifying purchases — how we link. This never changes the specs we publish.

Parts

Rear brake rotor × 1 — Use OEM specification
Caliper bracket bolts (if corroded) × 2 — Use OEM specification

As an Amazon Associate and Autel/ANCEL partner, OLP earns from qualifying purchases — how we link. This never changes the specs we publish.

Fluids

DOT 4 Brake Fluid — 0.25 qt

Preparation

Park vehicle on level, solid ground. Place transmission in Park.
If replacing rotor on parking brake side and parking brake is functional, release parking brake. If replacing opposite side, engage parking brake for added security.
Place wheel chocks in front of both front wheels.
Loosen rear wheel lug nuts approximately 1 turn while vehicle is still on ground.
Locate vehicle jacking points per Rivian owner's manual (typically reinforced frame points behind front wheels and in front of rear wheels).
Jack up rear of vehicle and secure with jack stands rated for at least 4 tons each under proper jacking points.
Remove wheel lug nuts completely and remove wheel.
Check brake fluid level in reservoir under hood. If near minimum line, note this as fluid level will rise when caliper piston is compressed.
Verify you are working on the correct wheel where rotor replacement is needed.
Inspect rotor condition visually for scoring, cracks, or excessive wear to confirm replacement is necessary.

Procedure

1
Access brake caliper
Locate the brake caliper mounted over the rotor. Identify the two caliper slide bolts (typically 13mm or 15mm hex) on the rear side of the caliper that secure it to the caliper bracket. These are usually located at the top and bottom of the caliper assembly.
2
Remove brake caliper
Using appropriate socket or wrench, remove both caliper slide bolts. Support the caliper with one hand as you remove the second bolt to prevent it from falling. Carefully lift the caliper off the rotor and brake pads. Do NOT let the caliper hang by the brake hose as this can damage the hose.
3
Secure brake caliper
Use a wire hanger, bungee cord, or zip tie to hang the caliper from the suspension or chassis component above. Ensure the brake hose has no tension or kinks. The caliper should be supported securely without straining the brake line.
4
Remove brake pads
Remove both brake pads from the caliper bracket. Note their orientation and position for reassembly. If pads are being reused, mark them for correct reinstallation. Inspect pad thickness and condition.
5
Remove caliper bracket
Locate the two caliper bracket mounting bolts (typically 17mm or 18mm hex) that secure the bracket to the axle hub/knuckle assembly. These bolts are typically very tight. Use a breaker bar or impact wrench if necessary to break them loose. Remove both bolts completely and remove the caliper bracket assembly.
6
Remove old rotor
The rotor should now slide off the wheel hub. If rotor is stuck due to corrosion, tap the rear face gently with a rubber mallet or use penetrating oil around the hub center. Some rotors have threaded holes for jack bolts to push the rotor off. Do NOT strike the rotor face. If a retaining screw is present on the rotor face, remove it first with appropriate bit (often Phillips or star/Torx).
7
Clean hub surface
Using a wire brush and brake parts cleaner, thoroughly clean the wheel hub mounting surface where the new rotor will seat. Remove all rust, scale, and debris. The surface must be clean and flat to prevent rotor runout and vibration issues. Clean the hub pilot diameter as well.
8
Prepare new rotor
Remove new rotor from packaging. Wipe both sides of the new rotor with brake parts cleaner to remove any protective coating or shipping oil. Verify the new rotor matches the old rotor in diameter, thickness, and mounting pattern. If desired, apply a thin coating of anti-seize to the hub mounting surface (not on rotor friction surfaces).
9
Install new rotor
Slide the new rotor onto the wheel hub, aligning the mounting holes. If a rotor retaining screw was present, install it now (hand tight plus 1/4 turn). Ensure the rotor sits flush against the hub with no gaps or debris preventing full seating.
10
Reinstall caliper bracket
Position the caliper bracket over the rotor and align the mounting bolt holes with the knuckle. Install both caliper bracket bolts and tighten to manufacturer specification using torque wrench. Without official specs, use 75-100 ft-lb as a guideline, but verify with Rivian service information. Apply thread locker if specified by manufacturer.
11
Compress caliper piston
Before reinstalling the caliper, the caliper piston must be compressed to accommodate the new rotor thickness. Place a C-clamp or brake caliper piston tool over the caliper with one end on the caliper body and the other on the piston. Monitor the brake fluid reservoir as you slowly compress the piston - remove fluid with a turkey baster if level rises too high. Compress piston fully into caliper bore.
12
Reinstall brake pads
Install the brake pads into the caliper bracket in their correct positions. Ensure any wear indicators or anti-rattle clips are properly positioned. Pads should fit snugly but move freely in the bracket.
13
Reinstall brake caliper
Remove the wire or support holding the caliper. Carefully position the caliper over the brake pads and rotor. Align the caliper slide bolt holes. Install both caliper slide bolts and tighten to manufacturer specification (typically 25-35 ft-lb, but verify with Rivian specifications). Ensure caliper moves freely on slide pins.
14
Reinstall wheel
Place wheel back onto hub and hand-thread all lug nuts. Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern until snug but do not fully torque yet.
15
Lower vehicle and final torque
Remove jack stands and carefully lower vehicle to ground. With vehicle weight on the wheel, torque the lug nuts to manufacturer specification (typically 130-150 ft-lb for the EDV 500, but verify) in a star pattern using a torque wrench.

Reassembly

Double-check that all caliper bolts, bracket bolts, and wheel lug nuts are properly torqued.
Check brake fluid level in reservoir and top off with DOT 4 brake fluid if necessary to bring to MAX line.
Pump brake pedal slowly several times until it becomes firm. The pedal should return to normal height and firmness.
If vehicle has electronic parking brake that was released, reactivate it and verify proper operation.
Clean any brake fluid drips or residue from painted surfaces immediately to prevent damage.

Verification

Before moving vehicle, pump brake pedal multiple times and verify firm pedal feel. Pedal should not go to floor.
Check for any brake fluid leaks around caliper connections and brake lines.
Start vehicle and check for any brake warning lights on dashboard. Address any warnings before driving.
Perform a low-speed brake test in a safe area (5-10 mph) to verify brakes engage properly with no unusual noises.
Perform several moderate brake applications from 20-30 mph in a safe area to begin bedding in the new rotor.
Listen for any unusual noises (grinding, squealing beyond normal new-pad break-in).
Verify no vibration or pulsation during braking.
After initial test drive, recheck all bolt torques and brake fluid level.
Follow Rivian's brake bedding procedure (typically 20-30 moderate stops from 40-50 mph with cooling periods) to properly seat pads to new rotor before heavy braking.
If vehicle is equipped with regenerative braking, verify the system functions normally and transitions smoothly to friction brakes.