Brake Rotor - Front Single

Replace a single front brake rotor on a 2024 Tesla Cybertruck Cyberbeast. The Cybertruck uses large front brakes with a fixed/floating caliper design; the rotor is retained by set screws and the steel exoskeleton means standard fender protection practices apply.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front brake rotor, Cybertruck-specific × 1 — OEM Tesla Cybertruck front rotor — verify by VIN
• Rotor retaining set screw(s) × 1 — Use new if damaged on removal

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 low-voltage battery. NOTE: Cybertruck uses a 48V low-voltage system — locate and disconnect per Tesla service documentation. Connectors are NOT the same as 12V Teslas.
4. DO NOT touch, cut, or pierce ANY orange cable — these are high-voltage (800V on Cybertruck) and lethal.
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. Before lifting: enable Jack Mode / Transport Mode through the touchscreen Service menu to disable air suspension auto-leveling and rear-wheel-steer self-centering.
7. Loosen wheel lug nuts ¼ turn while the vehicle is still on the ground.
8. Lift the vehicle at the manufacturer-specified front lift point and support on jack stands rated for the load.
9. Remove the front wheel on the side being serviced.
10. Inspect the opposite rotor, both pads, caliper boots, and hub for related wear before proceeding.

Procedure

1. 1

   Inspect and prepare the brake assembly
   Wire-brush loose debris from the caliper hardware. Photograph the assembly for reference. Check the brake pad thickness — if pads are also worn, plan to replace them as a set with the rotor.
2. 2

   Remove caliper slide pin bolts (or caliper bolts)
   Depending on the front caliper design fitted to this Cybertruck (sliding vs. fixed), remove the caliper slide pin bolts to free the caliper body from the bracket. Do not let the caliper hang from the brake hose.
   ⚠Never allow the caliper to hang by the flexible brake hose — internal damage and fluid leaks can result.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)

   Caliper Bolts88 Nm (65 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Support the caliper
   Suspend the caliper from a suspension component using a caliper hanger or bungee. Keep the caliper upright to minimize fluid disturbance.
4. 4

   Remove the caliper bracket
   Remove the two front caliper bracket bolts that secure the bracket to the steering knuckle. These are high-torque fasteners — use a breaker bar if needed. Inspect bolts for thread damage; replace if compromised.
   ⚠Caliper bracket bolts on the Cybertruck front are torqued very high (120 Nm) and typically use threadlocker — expect significant breakaway force.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Bracket Bolts102 Nm (75 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove rotor set screw(s)
   Locate and remove the small Torx/hex set screw(s) retaining the rotor to the hub. These can seize — apply penetrating oil if needed and use a properly fitting bit to avoid stripping.
   ⚠Stripped rotor set screws are common; use the correct bit and steady pressure. Do not impact the hub face.
   Torque spec

   Rotor Set Screws7 Nm (5 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove the rotor
   Pull the rotor straight off the hub. If corroded to the hub, strike the rotor face (NOT the hub or wheel speed sensor) with a dead-blow or use threaded jack-off holes if equipped. Do not strike the exoskeleton or suspension components.
   ⚠The front rotor is heavy. Support it with both hands as it releases from the hub.
7. 7

   Clean the hub mating surface
   Wire-brush the hub face to bare metal. Any rust or debris between hub and rotor will cause runout and brake judder. Clean with brake parts cleaner. Optionally apply a very thin film of anti-seize to the hub center boss only — keep it off the friction surface and lug studs.
   ⚠Do NOT apply anti-seize to the rotor friction surface or lug studs.
8. 8

   Install new rotor
   Wipe the new rotor's friction surfaces with brake parts cleaner to remove shipping oil. Place rotor on hub aligning the set screw hole with the threaded hole in the hub. Install and torque the set screw.
   Torque spec

   Rotor Set Screws7 Nm (5 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Reinstall caliper bracket
   Apply medium-strength threadlocker to the caliper bracket bolt threads. Install bracket onto the knuckle and torque to specification. Verify sequence with the Tesla service manual if applicable.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Bracket Bolts102 Nm (75 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Inspect and lubricate caliper hardware
    Inspect slide pin boots for tears. Apply silicone brake grease to the slide pins. Inspect pads and abutment clips; replace pads if worn or contaminated.
11. 11

    Reinstall caliper
    If a piston-equipped caliper, ensure the piston is retracted enough to clear the new rotor and pads. Slide caliper over the rotor and install caliper slide pin bolts (or caliper bolts as applicable). Torque to specification.
    Torque spec

    Caliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)

    Caliper Bolts88 Nm (65 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Reinstall wheel
    Mount wheel onto hub. Hand-thread all lug nuts, then snug in a star pattern. Final torque is performed with the wheel on the ground.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Lower the vehicle until the tire just contacts the ground, then final-torque the lug nuts in a star pattern to specification.
2. Fully lower the vehicle and remove jack stands.
3. Reconnect the 48V low-voltage battery.
4. Exit Jack Mode / Transport Mode via the touchscreen.
5. With the vehicle parked and brake reservoir cap on, pump the brake pedal multiple times until firm — this seats the pads against the new rotor before any wheel rotation. DO NOT skip this step.
6. Check brake fluid level in the reservoir; top off with DOT 3 if low. Note: Tesla recommends brake fluid replacement every 2 years regardless of mileage — verify last service date.
7. Power the vehicle on and allow the air suspension to self-level.
8. Clear any chassis or ABS faults that may have set during the procedure via the touchscreen service menu.

Verification

• With the vehicle stationary, confirm a firm brake pedal that does not sink under sustained pressure.
• Roll the vehicle slowly in a safe area and apply brakes lightly — confirm no grinding, no pulling to one side, and no warning lights on the instrument cluster.
• Perform a controlled brake bed-in procedure: a series of moderate stops from approximately 30-40 mph to ~5 mph (without coming to a complete stop) to transfer pad material evenly to the new rotor. Avoid hard stops or holding the brake at a stop on hot pads for the first ~100 miles.
• Recheck lug nut torque after the first 50-100 miles — Tesla recommendation for any wheel-off service.
• Confirm no ABS, traction control, or stability-control faults on the touchscreen.
• Reminder: Tesla recommends brake fluid replacement every 2 years regardless of mileage — log this service if due.
• If steering feels off-center after the job (steer-by-wire vehicles are sensitive to suspension disturbance), perform a steering calibration via Tesla service procedure.

More procedures for this vehicle