Brake Pads - Rear

Replace the rear brake pads on a 2024 Tesla Cybertruck Dual Motor AWD. The Cybertruck uses an electronic parking brake integrated into the rear caliper, which must be retracted in service mode before piston compression.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear brake pad set (OEM or OEM-equivalent for Cybertruck) × 1 — Tesla Cybertruck rear pad set — verify against VIN
• Caliper hardware/abutment clips (if supplied with pad set) × 1 — Included with most OEM pad kits

Fluids

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

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 (Cybertruck uses a 48V LV architecture — NOT 12V). Refer to the Tesla Service Manual for battery location and disconnect sequence.
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 disconnecting the LV battery: enter the vehicle, use the touchscreen to place the vehicle in Service Mode (or equivalent) and activate Brake Service / EPB Service Mode to retract the rear EPB actuators. Also enable Jack Mode to lock air suspension height.
7. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while the vehicle is on the ground.
8. Lift the rear of the vehicle at the manufacturer-specified jack points and support on jack stands rated for the Cybertruck's weight.
9. Remove rear wheels and set aside on a soft surface to avoid damaging the wheel finish.

Procedure

1. 1

   Verify EPB is retracted
   Confirm via the touchscreen that the EPB service/maintenance mode reported the rear actuators are retracted. If the actuator did not retract, do not attempt to compress the piston mechanically — diagnose the EPB system first.
   ⚠️Forcing a piston back without retracting the EPB actuator will damage the actuator gear set and may require caliper replacement.
2. 2

   Inspect caliper, rotor, and hardware
   With the wheel off, inspect the rotor surface for scoring, lip, or excessive runout. Inspect the caliper boots, slide pins, and abutment clips for damage or corrosion. Note pad thickness for the work order.
3. 3

   Remove caliper slide/guide pin bolts
   Hold the slide pin with a wrench if needed and remove the upper and lower caliper slide pin bolts. Support the caliper — do NOT let it hang by the flexible brake hose. Suspend it from the suspension with a bungee or caliper hanger.
   ⚠Do not stress or kink the flexible brake line.
   Torque spec

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

   Remove old pads and hardware
   Slide the outer and inner pads out of the caliper bracket. Remove the abutment clips/anti-rattle hardware. Note pad orientation (wear sensor side, if equipped) for reinstallation.
5. 5

   Clean caliper bracket and slide pins
   Wire-brush corrosion and brake dust from the caliper bracket pad abutment surfaces. Pull the slide pins from their bores, wipe clean, inspect boots, and re-lubricate with silicone brake grease before reinstalling. Do NOT use petroleum grease — it will swell the rubber boots.
6. 6

   Compress caliper piston
   With the EPB confirmed retracted (Step 1), use a wind-back style piston tool appropriate for EPB calipers to rotate and compress the piston back into the bore. Open the bleeder screw briefly during compression if you wish to avoid pushing dirty fluid back through the ABS module; catch fluid in a container and re-tighten promptly.
   ⚠Monitor the master cylinder reservoir level — it will rise as pistons are compressed. Do not overflow.
7. 7

   Install new pads and hardware
   Install fresh abutment clips (if supplied). Apply a thin film of silicone brake grease to pad backing-plate contact points and shim contact areas — keep grease OFF the friction surfaces and rotor. Install the inner and outer pads into the bracket in the correct orientation.
8. 8

   Reinstall caliper and torque slide pin bolts
   Swing the caliper down over the new pads. Apply silicone brake grease to the slide pins per torque-list note. Install the slide pin bolts and torque to specification.
   ℹ️Verify torque sequence with the Tesla Service Manual — entry is flagged for sequence verification.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Slide Pin Bolts30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Repeat on opposite side
   Repeat steps 1–8 on the other rear corner. Always replace pads as an axle set.
10. 10

    Top off brake fluid
    Check the master cylinder reservoir. Top off with fresh DOT 3 brake fluid from a sealed container only if below MAX. Do not exceed MAX.
    ⚠Brake fluid damages stainless steel finish and paint coatings — wipe spills immediately.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall rear wheels. Hand-thread all lug nuts before applying any torque.
2. Lower the vehicle to the ground.
3. Torque rear wheel lug nuts in a star pattern to specification (verify sequence with Service Manual).
4. Reconnect the 48V low-voltage battery.
5. Power on the vehicle. Exit EPB Service Mode and Jack Mode via the touchscreen. The system should automatically re-extend the EPB actuators — listen for the actuator cycle.
6. With the vehicle stationary and in Park, slowly pump the brake pedal until firm. Do NOT move the vehicle until pedal is firm — initial pedal travel will be long after pad service.
7. Re-check brake fluid level and top off if needed.

Verification

• Confirm no warning messages on the touchscreen related to brakes, EPB, ABS, or stability control.
• Cycle the EPB on and off via the touchscreen and confirm normal actuator operation (audible engagement/release).
• At low speed in a safe area, perform several gentle stops to seat the pads, then progressively firmer stops per pad manufacturer's bed-in procedure. Avoid hard stops for the first ~200 miles.
• Verify the vehicle tracks straight under braking with no pull, no pulsation, and no unusual noise.
• Re-check lug nut torque after the first 50–100 miles.
• Tesla recommends brake fluid replacement every 2 years regardless of mileage — if not done recently, schedule a full brake fluid flush as a follow-up service.

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