Brake Pads and Rotors - Front

Replace the front brake pads and rotors on a 2024 Tesla Cybertruck Cyberbeast Tri Motor. The Cybertruck uses oversized front brakes paired with regenerative braking, so pads typically wear slower than ICE vehicles but rotors can develop rust ridges from low-use brake cycles.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front brake pad set — Cybertruck-specific × 1 — OEM Tesla Cybertruck front pad set — verify against VIN
• Front brake rotors × 2 — OEM Tesla Cybertruck front rotor — verify against VIN
• Caliper bracket bolts (if single-use per service manual) × 4 — OEM specification — verify reuse policy

Fluids

• DOT 3 Brake Fluid (top-off only if needed) — 0.25 qt

Preparation

1. Park on level ground, place in P, engage parking brake.
2. Exit ALL doors with key fob away from the vehicle. Wait at least 2 minutes for HV systems to fully de-energize, even on this non-HV job.
3. Disconnect the 48V low-voltage battery per Cybertruck-specific procedure (location and connector differ from 12V Teslas — refer to service manual). Do not use 12V Tesla disconnect procedures.
4. DO NOT touch, cut, or pierce ANY orange cable — these are high-voltage and lethal at 800V on this platform.
5. 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.
6. On the touchscreen, enable Service Mode and activate Jack Mode / Transport Mode to lock air suspension at service height and disable self-leveling.
7. Loosen front lug nuts approximately 1/2 turn while wheels are still on the ground.
8. Lift the front of the vehicle at the manufacturer-designated front jack points (NOT under the HV battery tray) and support on rated jack stands.
9. Remove front wheels and set aside on a soft surface to avoid scratching the wheel finish.

Procedure

1. 1

   Inspect brake assembly before disassembly
   Photograph the caliper, brake hose routing, wear sensor wiring (if equipped), and pad orientation. Check brake hose for cracks. Note pad wear pattern — uneven wear on a near-new Cybertruck can indicate a sticking slide pin.
2. 2

   Open brake fluid reservoir
   Open the hood (frunk) and locate the brake master cylinder reservoir. Remove the cap and place a clean rag around it. This allows the caliper pistons to retract without forcing fluid back through the ABS module. If the reservoir is full, siphon a small amount out before retracting pistons to prevent overflow.
   ⚠DOT 3 brake fluid damages stainless steel finish and paint — wipe spills immediately with water.
3. 3

   Remove caliper slide/guide bolts
   Locate the caliper slide pin bolts (typically two, accessed from the inboard side of the caliper). Hold the slide pin with a wrench if it spins, and remove both bolts. Inspect bolts for corrosion or thread damage.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Lift caliper off bracket and support it
   Slide the caliper outward off the rotor. Do NOT let it hang by the brake hose — support it with a wire hanger or bungee from the suspension. If the caliper will not slide free, gently pry the outer pad away from the rotor first to retract the piston slightly.
   ⚠Do not strain the brake hose or any wear-sensor wiring.
5. 5

   Remove old brake pads
   Slide the inner and outer pads out of the caliper bracket. Note the position of any anti-rattle clips, shims, and wear sensor (if present). Inspect the abutment clips on the bracket for rust — replace if corroded.
6. 6

   Remove caliper bracket
   Remove the two caliper bracket bolts securing the bracket to the steering knuckle. These are torqued high and may require a breaker bar. Set the bracket aside on a clean surface — do not place against the stainless body.
   ⚠Bolts may have factory threadlocker — heat or steady force may be needed. Do not use an impact on aluminum knuckle threads.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Bracket Bolts102 Nm (75 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove old rotor
   If the rotor is retained by a small Phillips or Torx set screw at the hub face, remove it. Pull the rotor off the hub. If seized, apply penetrating oil to the hub center and tap the rotor face (not the friction surface) with a dead-blow mallet. Some rotors have threaded jacking holes — use those if present.
   ⚠Never strike the steering knuckle, hub, or stainless body with a steel hammer.
8. 8

   Clean hub mating surface
   Wire-brush the hub face until bright metal shows. Any rust or debris between the hub and rotor will cause runout, pulsation, and uneven pad wear. Apply a thin film of anti-seize to the hub center bore only — keep it off the wheel-mounting surface and lug studs.
9. 9

   Install new rotor
   Place the new rotor on the hub, ensuring the friction surface is free of shipping oil — clean both sides with brake cleaner. Reinstall the retaining screw if equipped. Spin the rotor to confirm it seats flat with no wobble.
10. 10

    Reinstall caliper bracket
    Apply blue threadlocker to the caliper bracket bolts (unless using new pre-coated bolts). Thread bolts in by hand, then torque to spec. Verify sequence with the Tesla Service Manual if a specific pattern is called out.
    Torque spec

    Caliper Bracket Bolts102 Nm (75 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Retract caliper piston
    Using a C-clamp against the old outer pad (or a dedicated piston tool), slowly compress the piston back into the caliper body. Watch the master cylinder reservoir to ensure it does not overflow. If the piston will not retract smoothly, suspect a seized caliper — do not force it.
    ⚠Cybertruck calipers may have integrated electronic parking brake on the rear only — front pistons should retract by direct compression. If resistance is abnormal, stop and verify procedure.
12. 12

    Install new pads and caliper
    Place new pads into the bracket with any anti-rattle clips and shims oriented as photographed. Apply a thin coat of silicone brake grease to the pad backing plate contact points and to the slide pins — do NOT get grease on the friction surface. Slide the caliper over the new pads and rotor.
13. 13

    Torque slide pin bolts
    Reinstall the caliper slide pin bolts and torque to specification. Verify the caliper floats freely on the slide pins by hand after torquing.
    Torque spec

    Caliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Repeat on opposite side
    Perform steps 1-13 on the other front wheel before reinstalling either wheel.
15. 15

    Reinstall wheels
    Mount the wheels and hand-thread all lug nuts. Lower the vehicle until tires just contact the ground, then torque lug nuts in a star pattern.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Top off the master cylinder reservoir with fresh DOT 3 brake fluid to the MAX line. Reinstall the cap.
2. Reconnect the 48V low-voltage battery using the Cybertruck-specific procedure.
3. With the vehicle still safely supported or on the ground with parking brake set, press the brake pedal repeatedly until it becomes firm. The first 1-3 pumps will feel soft as the pistons take up clearance against the new pads — DO NOT drive until pedal is firm.
4. Exit Service Mode / Jack Mode on the touchscreen and allow air suspension to return to normal ride height.
5. Clear any chassis or ABS faults that appeared during service via the touchscreen alert log.

Verification

• With the vehicle off, press the brake pedal — it should be firm and high, not spongy or sinking.
• Drive slowly in a safe area and perform 5-10 gentle stops from ~30 mph to bed in the new pads. Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles.
• After the first drive, recheck lug nut torque and inspect for fluid leaks at the caliper and brake hose.
• Check the touchscreen for any ABS, brake, or suspension warnings — Cybertruck will often log faults if Service Mode was not used properly.
• Verify regenerative braking still functions normally — if the brake pedal switch or wear sensor was disturbed, regen behavior may change.
• Note: Tesla recommends brake fluid replacement every 2 years regardless of mileage. If brake fluid was not flushed during this service, log the next due date.
• Tire rotation is recommended every 6,250 miles on Cybertruck due to instant torque and vehicle weight — consider rotating while wheels are off.

More procedures for this vehicle