Brake Pads - Rear

Replace the rear brake pads on a 2024 Tesla Cybertruck Cyberbeast Tri Motor. The Cybertruck uses an electronic parking brake integrated into the rear caliper that must be retracted via service mode before the caliper can be compressed.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear brake pad set (Cybertruck-specific) × 1 — OEM Tesla Cybertruck rear pad set — verify against VIN
• Caliper hardware/abutment clips (if included with pad kit) × 1 — Included with OEM pad kit

Fluids

• DOT 3 Brake Fluid (top-up only if reservoir level rises during piston retraction — do not exceed MAX)

Preparation

1. Park on level ground, place in P, engage parking brake (you will release it via Service Mode shortly).
2. Exit ALL doors with the key fob/phone key away from the vehicle. Wait at least 2 minutes for HV systems to fully de-energize, even on this non-HV job.
3. Before disconnecting LV power: enter Service Mode on the center display and activate 'Brake Service' / 'Pad Replacement Mode' to retract the rear EPB pistons and inhibit caliper actuation. Confirm the system reports the rear calipers are in service position.
4. Disconnect the 48V low-voltage battery per Tesla service procedure (Cybertruck uses a 48V LV system — verify connector and tool compatibility; this is NOT a 12V system).
5. DO NOT touch, cut, or pierce ANY orange cable — these are high-voltage and lethal.
6. 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.
7. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while the vehicle is on the ground.
8. Raise the rear of the vehicle at Tesla-designated jack points using puck adapters; support with rated jack stands.
9. Remove rear wheels and set aside on the soft side to avoid scratching the wheel face.
10. Inspect rotors, dust shields, slide pin boots, and piston boots for damage before disassembly. Replace any torn boots.

Procedure

1. 1

   Confirm EPB is in service position
   Verify on the center display that Brake Service Mode is active and the rear EPB pistons have been retracted. If the EPB has not been retracted electronically, stop and complete that step — mechanical retraction will damage the actuator.
   ⚠Do not attempt to wind back the rear piston with a manual tool until Service Mode confirms EPB retraction is complete.
2. 2

   Inspect and prepare the caliper area
   Clean visible road grime from the caliper, slide pins, and bracket with brake cleaner. Inspect brake hose for cracks/swelling and the piston dust boot for tears. Note pad wear pattern (uneven wear indicates a sticking slide pin).
3. 3

   Remove caliper slide/guide pin bolts
   Holding the slide pin with a wrench to prevent rotation, remove the upper and lower caliper slide pin bolts. Retain bolts for inspection — replace if threads are damaged or thread locker is heavily contaminated.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Slide Pin Bolts30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove caliper from bracket
   Slide the caliper off the bracket and pads. Support it with wire or a bungee from a suspension component — do NOT let it hang by the brake hose. Do not disconnect the brake hose or the EPB electrical connector unless replacing the caliper.
   ⚠Avoid stressing or kinking the EPB wiring harness routed to the caliper.
5. 5

   Remove old pads and hardware
   Remove inboard and outboard pads from the bracket. Remove the abutment/anti-rattle clips. Inspect the bracket abutment surfaces for corrosion and clean with a wire brush. Replace clips if included in the new pad kit.
6. 6

   Retract the caliper piston
   With Service Mode confirming EPB is retracted, use the threaded rear-caliper wind-back tool to gently seat the piston fully into the bore. Monitor the brake fluid reservoir — if it nears MAX, siphon a small amount to prevent overflow. Do not force the piston with C-clamps; the rear piston is threaded due to the integrated EPB.
   ⚠Forcing the piston in without the threaded wind-back action will destroy the EPB actuator screw mechanism.
7. 7

   Service slide pins
   Pull slide pins from the bracket, wipe clean, inspect boots for tears, and apply fresh silicone brake grease. Reinsert and verify smooth, full travel. Replace pins/boots if any damage is found.
8. 8

   Install new pads and hardware
   Install new abutment clips into the bracket. Apply a thin layer of brake-specific anti-squeal/silicone grease to pad backing plate contact points (NOT the friction surface). Seat the new inboard and outboard pads into the bracket.
   ⚠Keep all grease off the rotor friction surface and pad face. Contamination will cause permanent pad glazing.
9. 9

   Reinstall caliper
   Slide the caliper over the new pads onto the bracket. Verify the EPB harness is routed without strain or contact with hot/moving parts.
10. 10

    Torque caliper slide pin bolts
    Apply silicone brake grease as specified, install the slide pin bolts, and torque to specification while holding the slide pin from rotating.
    Torque spec

    Caliper Slide Pin Bolts30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
11. 11

    (If removed) Reinstall caliper bracket
    If the caliper bracket was removed for rotor service, clean threads, apply thread locker per OEM specification, and torque the rear caliper bracket bolts. Verify torque sequence with the Tesla Service Manual.
    ⚠Caliper bracket bolts are critical fasteners — use new bolts if specified by Tesla service procedure.
    Torque spec

    Caliper Bracket Bolts100 Nm (74 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Repeat for opposite side
    Repeat steps 1–10 on the opposite rear corner before reinstalling wheels.

Reassembly

1. Verify both rear calipers are fully reassembled and the brake fluid reservoir is between MIN and MAX with the cap properly seated.
2. Clean the wheel hub mating face. A very light film of anti-seize on the hub register (not the lug threads) helps prevent wheel-to-hub corrosion seizing — keep clear of brake surfaces.
3. Mount rear wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts in a star pattern.
4. Lower the vehicle to the ground.
5. Torque the wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern.
6. Reconnect the 48V low-voltage battery using Tesla-approved procedure.
7. Power on the vehicle. In Service Mode, exit Brake Service Mode so the system re-engages the EPB actuator and self-calibrates piston position. Wait for the system to confirm completion.
8. With the vehicle stationary and in P, press the brake pedal repeatedly until firm to take up pad-to-rotor clearance before driving.

Verification

• Confirm the center display shows no brake, ABS, EPB, or stability control warnings.
• Cycle the EPB on and off several times via the touchscreen — listen for normal actuator sound and confirm no fault messages.
• Perform a low-speed brake test in a safe area: at ~5–10 mph, apply brakes gently and verify even, straight stopping with no pulling, grinding, or pulsation.
• Perform a manufacturer-recommended pad bed-in procedure (a series of moderate stops from ~30 mph down to ~5 mph without coming to a complete stop, then allowing cooling) before normal driving.
• After the first short drive, recheck wheel lug torque and inspect for any fluid leaks at the caliper and hose fittings.
• Reminder: Tesla recommends brake fluid replacement every 2 years regardless of mileage — log this service date and check fluid age while you're already in the brake system.
• Reminder: Tesla recommends rear tire rotation roughly every 6,250 mi on heavy EVs like Cybertruck — consider rotating now since the wheels are off.

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

Codes that commonly send this job to the bay — tap one for symptoms, causes, and diagnostic steps.

Chasing one of these codes and not sure which part is guilty? Ask a master mechanic about YOUR car →

More procedures for this vehicle