brakes
Brake Caliper - Rear
for 2024 Tesla Cybertruck Cyberbeast Tri Motor AWD · AWD
Editorial review:Chris Hackleman — Master Technician · 20+ years · Jeff Moore — Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years
Difficulty
Advanced
Time
1.0 h
Tools
12
Steps
8
✓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.
Replacement of a rear brake caliper on a 2024 Tesla Cybertruck Cyberbeast. The Cybertruck uses conventional hydraulic friction brakes at the rear (regen handles most deceleration), but the rear caliper integrates with the electric parking brake (EPB) actuator, requiring service-mode retraction before removal.
Warnings
⚠️Cybertruck uses a 48V low-voltage architecture — NOT 12V. Use proper 48V-rated disconnect procedure and do not assume legacy Tesla 12V wiring conventions.
⚠️Steer-by-wire system: do NOT rotate the yoke or steering rack with the vehicle powered down and wheels off the ground unless the system is in a known safe state. Avoid bumping the yoke during the repair.
⚠Rear calipers contain an integrated electric parking brake (EPB) actuator. The EPB MUST be placed in service/transport mode via the touchscreen before disconnecting or retracting the piston, or the actuator and/or caliper can be damaged.
⚠Stainless steel exoskeleton — do not strike body panels, and protect rocker/fender edges when positioning a jack or stands. Use only Tesla-approved lift points.
⚠Air suspension: disable suspension via Service Mode (Jack Mode) before lifting. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to attempt self-leveling on the jack.
ℹ️Brake fluid is hygroscopic and damages paint and stainless finishes. Wipe spills immediately.
Tools required
Tesla service mode access (touchscreen) for EPB retractionEssential
Metric socket set (including deep sockets)Essential
Torque wrench (range covering 10–110 Nm)Essential
Hex/Triple-square bit set for caliper guide pinsEssential
Brake hose clamp / line plugEssential
Brake bleeder kit (vacuum or pressure bleeder preferred)
Floor jack rated for >3 tonsEssential
Jack stands rated for Cybertruck curb weight (~7,000 lb)Essential
Catch pan and shop towelsEssential
Wire brush and brake cleaner
Threadlocker (medium strength, blue)Essential
Insulated gloves (for working near 48V system disconnect)
Parts
- Rear brake caliper assembly (manufacturer-specified for Cybertruck Cyberbeast) × 1 — OEM Tesla Cybertruck rear caliper — verify by VIN
- Copper crush washers for banjo fitting × 2 — OEM-spec copper washers, sized to caliper banjo bolt
- Brake pads (inspect; replace if worn or contaminated) × 1 — OEM Cybertruck rear pads
- Threadlocker (medium strength) × 1 — Loctite 243 or equivalent
Fluids
- DOT 3 Brake Fluid (Tesla-spec) — 1 qt
Preparation
- Park on level ground, place in P, engage parking brake.
- Exit ALL doors with the key fob away from the vehicle. Wait at least 2 minutes for HV systems to fully de-energize, even on this non-HV job.
- Disconnect the 48V low-voltage battery per Tesla Cybertruck procedure (NOT a standard 12V system — connectors and location differ from S/3/X/Y).
- DO NOT touch, cut, or pierce ANY orange cable — these are high-voltage (800V on this platform) and lethal.
- If at any point you encounter an orange cable, an HV component, or are unsure if a system is de-energized: STOP and consult a Tesla-certified technician.
- Before disconnecting low-voltage power: use the touchscreen to enable Service Mode, then activate 'Jack Mode' (disables air suspension self-leveling) and 'Brake Caliper Service Mode' to retract the rear EPB actuator.
- Loosen rear lug nuts while wheels are still on the ground.
- Lift the vehicle at the manufacturer-specified rear lift points and support on jack stands rated for Cybertruck weight.
- Remove the rear wheel.
Procedure
- 1Confirm EPB is retractedVerify on the touchscreen that the rear electric parking brake has completed its service-mode retraction cycle. The piston/actuator must be fully wound back before any caliper disassembly. If the truck has already been powered down, you must restore 48V power, re-enter Service Mode, and run the EPB retraction before continuing.⚠Manually forcing the rear caliper piston back without service mode will damage the EPB actuator gear train.
- 2Disconnect 48V low-voltage systemOnce EPB retraction is confirmed, disconnect the 48V low-voltage battery per the Tesla Cybertruck service procedure. Confirm power is removed before continuing.
- 3Disconnect EPB actuator harnessLocate the electrical connector for the rear caliper EPB actuator. Release the connector lock and unplug it. Secure the harness aside so it is not strained when the caliper is removed.
- 4Inspect and prepare hydraulic lineIdentify the brake hose-to-caliper junction. Have a catch pan ready. If reusing the brake hose, use a hose clamp upstream to minimize fluid loss. Clean the banjo fitting area with brake cleaner.ℹ️Do not kink or over-clamp the flexible brake hose — replace the hose if there is any sign of damage.
- 5Disconnect brake hose from caliperRemove the banjo bolt securing the brake hose to the caliper. Discard both copper washers — they are single-use. Cap the hose end and the caliper port to prevent contamination and excessive fluid loss.⚠Brake fluid will damage stainless finish and paint. Protect surrounding surfaces and wipe spills immediately with water.
- 6Remove brake pads (if transferring to new caliper)If the replacement caliper does not come with pads, remove the existing pads now, noting orientation and any anti-rattle clips/shims. Inspect pads for wear, glazing, or contamination — replace if questionable.
- 7Remove caliper from bracketRemove the two caliper guide/mounting bolts that secure the caliper body to the caliper bracket. Support the caliper as the second bolt comes free — do not let it hang from any harness or hose stub.
- 8(Optional) Remove caliper bracketIf the job requires bracket removal (e.g., bracket is being replaced or cleaned), remove the two caliper bracket bolts from the rear knuckle. These typically have factory threadlocker — apply steady force. Clean threads on reinstall and apply fresh medium-strength threadlocker.⚠Bracket bolts are CRITICAL fasteners. Do not reuse if they show signs of stretching or damage — refer to Tesla Service Manual for one-time-use designation.Torque specCaliper Bracket Bolts100 Nm (74 lb-ft)
Reassembly
- If bracket was removed, reinstall it with fresh medium-strength threadlocker and torque to specification (Caliper Bracket Bolts - Rear).
- Transfer pads, shims, and anti-rattle hardware to the new caliper as required, or install new pads.
- Mount the new caliper to the bracket and torque the caliper mounting bolts to specification.
- Reconnect the brake hose to the caliper using TWO NEW copper washers (one each side of the banjo fitting). Torque the banjo bolt to specification.
- Reconnect the EPB actuator electrical connector and ensure the harness is properly routed and clipped.
- Bleed the rear brake circuit at the bleeder screw until clean, air-free DOT 3 fluid flows. Maintain reservoir level throughout. Torque the bleeder screw to specification — do not overtighten.
- Reinstall the rear wheel. Snug lug nuts in a star pattern, lower the vehicle, then final-torque lug nuts to specification.
- Reconnect the 48V low-voltage battery.
- Power the vehicle on. In Service Mode, exit Brake Caliper Service Mode so the EPB re-applies and self-calibrates. Confirm no EPB or ABS warnings.
- Exit Jack Mode to restore air suspension function.
- With the vehicle stationary, pump the brake pedal until firm before moving the truck.
Verification
- Confirm a firm brake pedal after multiple pumps — no sponginess indicates proper bleed.
- Check the brake fluid reservoir level and top off with DOT 3 if needed.
- Inspect the banjo fitting and bleeder for any weeping after several pedal applications.
- Cycle the EPB on/off via the touchscreen several times; listen for clean actuation and confirm no fault messages.
- Verify no ABS, EPB, or stability control warnings on the touchscreen.
- Perform a low-speed road test: light stops first, then progressively firmer braking. Confirm even braking with no pull, drag, or noise.
- Re-inspect torque on the caliper mounting bolts and banjo fitting after the road test.
- Tesla recommends brake fluid replacement every 2 years regardless of mileage — note the service date and consider a full system flush if it is approaching that interval.