Brake Pads and Rotors - Rear

Replace rear brake pads and rotors on a 2024 Tesla Cybertruck Dual Motor. The Cybertruck uses large rear rotors and an electric parking brake (EPB) integrated into the rear caliper, which must be retracted via service mode before the caliper can be opened.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear brake pad set (manufacturer-specified for Cybertruck) × 1 — OEM Cybertruck rear pad set — verify with VIN
• Rear brake rotors (manufacturer-specified for Cybertruck) × 2 — OEM Cybertruck rear rotor — verify with VIN
• Caliper bracket bolts (if single-use per service manual) × 4 — Verify reuse policy in Tesla Service Manual

Fluids

• DOT 3 Brake Fluid (top-off only if needed; full flush every 2 years per Tesla)

Preparation

1. Park on level ground, place in P, and engage parking brake (it will be released later via service mode).
2. 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.
3. Disconnect the 48V low-voltage battery per the Cybertruck service manual (location and procedure differ from 12V Teslas — do NOT assume frunk location).
4. DO NOT touch, cut, or pierce ANY orange cable — these are 800V high-voltage 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 low-voltage battery: on the touchscreen, enable Jack Mode (Controls > Service > Jack Mode) and place the EPB in service/maintenance mode to retract the rear parking brake actuators. Without this step, the EPB cannot be safely wound back.
7. Chock the front wheels.
8. Loosen rear lug nuts while the truck is on the ground.
9. Lift the rear at Tesla-specified lift points and support on rated jack stands. Confirm air suspension is in Jack Mode and not actively leveling.
10. Remove rear wheels and set aside on a soft surface to protect the finish.

Procedure

1. 1

   Inspect rear brake assembly
   Visually inspect the caliper, EPB actuator wiring, brake hose, dust shield, and rotor. Note any leaking fluid, torn boots, or damaged EPB connectors. Confirm EPB is fully retracted (service mode active) before proceeding.
   ⚠If the EPB did not retract via service mode, STOP. Manually winding a powered EPB will destroy the actuator.
2. 2

   Disconnect EPB actuator connector (if required)
   If service mode is functioning, the connector can typically remain attached. If the service manual for your build requires disconnection to prevent unintended actuation while the caliper is removed, carefully release the locking tab and disconnect the EPB harness connector at the caliper. Support the connector to avoid strain.
3. 3

   Remove caliper slide/guide pin bolts
   Remove the two caliper slide pin bolts that secure the caliper body to the bracket. Hold the slide pin with a wrench if it spins. Slide the caliper off the bracket and pads. Support the caliper with a hanger or bungee — do NOT let it hang by the brake hose.
   Torque spec

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

   Remove old brake pads
   Lift the inner and outer pads out of the caliper bracket. Note any anti-rattle clips or shims and their orientation for reinstallation. Inspect the bracket abutment clips; replace if corroded or deformed.
5. 5

   Remove caliper bracket
   Remove the two caliper bracket bolts securing the bracket to the rear knuckle. These are high-torque fasteners; use a breaker bar if needed. Set the bracket aside.
   Torque spec

   Bracket Bolts102 Nm (75 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove rotor
   Remove the rotor retaining clip or screw if present. Pull the rotor straight off the hub. If seized, apply penetrating oil to the hub-rotor interface and tap gently with a soft-faced (rubber/dead-blow) mallet — never a steel hammer near the exoskeleton. If equipped with threaded jacking holes in the rotor hat, use bolts to push it off.
   ⚠Do not strike the rotor with a steel hammer. Use a dead-blow mallet only.
7. 7

   Clean hub mating surface
   Wire-brush the hub face until clean and rust-free. A flat hub face is critical to prevent rotor runout and brake pulsation. Optionally apply a very thin film of anti-seize to the hub center ring only — keep it off the rotor friction surface and lug studs.
8. 8

   Install new rotor
   Wipe the new rotor with brake cleaner to remove shipping oil from both friction surfaces. Slide the rotor onto the hub and secure with the retaining clip/screw if used. Spin to confirm it sits flat with no wobble.
9. 9

   Reinstall caliper bracket
   Apply medium-strength threadlocker to the caliper bracket bolts (unless service manual specifies pre-applied patch — in that case replace bolts). Install the bracket over the rotor and torque the bolts to specification.
   Torque spec

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

    Install new pads and hardware
    Install new abutment clips if supplied. Apply a thin layer of silicone brake grease to pad backing plate contact points and abutment clip slide surfaces — never on the friction material or rotor face. Seat the inner and outer pads into the bracket.
11. 11

    Retract caliper piston
    With the EPB confirmed in service mode, use a piston compression tool with rotation function to wind the rear piston back into the caliper bore. Rear EPB pistons require simultaneous rotation AND inward pressure. Monitor the brake fluid reservoir level — fluid will rise as the piston retracts; siphon out excess if needed to prevent overflow.
    ⚠If the piston will not retract with normal force, STOP. The EPB is likely still engaged. Re-verify service mode before applying more force.
12. 12

    Reinstall caliper
    Inspect slide pin boots; replace if torn. Lubricate slide pins with silicone brake grease and reinsert into the bracket bores. Slide the caliper over the new pads. Apply medium-strength threadlocker to the slide pin bolts (or use new bolts if specified) and torque to specification. Reconnect the EPB connector if disconnected, ensuring the lock tab fully engages.
    Torque spec

    Caliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Repeat on opposite side
    Perform steps 1-12 on the other rear corner. Both rear rotors and both rear pad sets must be replaced together to maintain even braking.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall both rear wheels. Hand-thread all lug nuts before applying torque.
2. Lower the truck to the ground.
3. Torque lug nuts in a star pattern to specification.
4. Reconnect the 48V low-voltage battery.
5. Power on the vehicle. Exit Jack Mode and exit EPB service mode via the touchscreen — this re-calibrates the EPB and re-applies the parking brake actuators against the new pads.
6. Top off the brake fluid reservoir to the MAX line with fresh DOT 3 if needed. Do not overfill.
7. With foot on the brake, pump the brake pedal 10-15 times until it becomes firm. The pedal will feel soft on the first few presses as the pistons re-seat against the new pads — DO NOT attempt to drive until the pedal is firm.
8. Cycle the EPB on/off several times via the touchscreen and verify it engages and releases without fault codes.

Verification

• Confirm no brake-related warnings or EPB faults on the touchscreen after a full power cycle.
• At very low speed in an empty area, perform several light brake applications to seat the pads. Then perform the manufacturer-recommended bed-in procedure (typically 5-10 moderate stops from ~35 mph, allowing cool-down between, without coming to a complete stop on the final pass).
• After bed-in, park and check for: even pad-to-rotor contact pattern, no fluid leaks at the caliper, no abnormal noises, and EPB holds the truck on an incline.
• Recheck lug nut torque after the first 50-100 miles.
• REMINDER: Tesla recommends a full brake fluid flush every 2 years regardless of mileage — log this service date and plan the flush if it has been close to or beyond that interval.
• If the bleeder was opened at any point during this job, refer to the Tesla Service Manual for the correct bleed sequence and torque the bleeder screw to specification.

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

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

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