brakes
Brake Caliper Slide Pins
for 2024 Tesla Cybertruck Dual Motor AWD · AWD
Editorial review:Chris Hackleman — Master Technician · 20+ years · Jeff Moore — Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years
Difficulty
Easy
Time
30 min
Tools
10
Steps
8
✓Expert-verified. Personally reviewed and approved by OLP's master technicians (Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — 20+ years each). Always follow the vehicle's factory service information and torque specs.
Service the front or rear brake caliper slide pins on a 2024 Tesla Cybertruck Dual Motor. This involves removing the caliper, cleaning/inspecting the slide pins and boots, re-greasing with silicone brake grease, and reinstalling.
Warnings
⚠️The Cybertruck uses a 48V low-voltage system. Use only 48V-compatible tools and follow the 48V battery disconnect procedure — do not assume 12V conventions.
⚠️Never touch or pierce any orange cable. If you encounter HV components near the brake assembly, STOP.
⚠Steer-by-wire: do not turn the yoke with the vehicle powered down and a wheel off — there is no mechanical linkage and unintended actuation behavior is possible. Keep the vehicle fully powered down.
⚠Cybertruck curb weight is significantly higher than other Teslas. Use jack stands and lift points rated for the load — failure can be fatal.
⚠Stainless exoskeleton panels scratch and dent differently than aluminum/steel — protect rocker and fender edges when working near them.
ℹ️Air suspension: place the vehicle in Jack/Service Mode via the touchscreen before lifting to prevent the system from trying to level itself.
Tools required
Torque wrench (5-150 Nm range)Essential
Metric socket setEssential
Metric hex/Allen bit setEssential
Breaker bar
Floor jack rated for Cybertruck curb weight (~6,800 lb)Essential
Jack stands rated appropriatelyEssential
Tesla-approved jack pad adapters (puck)Essential
Wire brush / nylon brush
Shop rags and brake cleanerEssential
Bungee cord or caliper hangerEssential
Parts
- Caliper slide pin boots (if torn or damaged) × 2 — OEM Cybertruck caliper guide pin boot kit
- Slide pin bolts (replace if damaged) × 2 — OEM-spec slide pin bolt
Fluids
- Silicone brake grease (caliper-rated, rubber-safe)
Preparation
- Park on level ground, place in P, and engage the parking brake.
- 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.
- Disconnect the 48V low-voltage battery per Tesla Cybertruck procedure (this truck uses 48V LV — NOT 12V like other Teslas; connectors and fuses differ).
- Do NOT touch, cut, or pierce ANY orange cable — these are high-voltage and lethal.
- 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.
- Enable Jack Mode / Service Mode on the touchscreen to disable air suspension self-leveling before lifting.
- Loosen wheel lug nuts while the vehicle is on the ground.
- Lift the vehicle at the manufacturer-specified jack points using Tesla-approved pucks, then support with rated jack stands.
- Remove the wheel to expose the brake caliper assembly.
Procedure
- 1Inspect the caliper assemblyVisually inspect the caliper, slide pin boots, and bracket for damage, torn boots, leaking fluid, or seized hardware. Note any orange wiring routed near the corner (e.g., near sensors) and stay clear of it.
- 2Remove the caliper slide pin boltsUsing the correct hex/Allen bit, loosen and remove both slide pin bolts that secure the caliper body to the caliper bracket. Hold the slide pin with a backup wrench if it spins. Retain the bolts for inspection.⚠Do not damage the slide pin boots when removing the caliper.
- 3Lift the caliper off the bracket and support itSlide the caliper body off the bracket and brake pads. Support the caliper with a bungee or hanger from the suspension — do NOT let it hang by the flexible brake hose.⚠Hanging the caliper by the brake hose can damage the hose internally and cause future failure.
- 4Extract the slide pinsPull the slide pins out of the caliper bracket bores. Inspect each pin for scoring, corrosion, or wear. Inspect the rubber boots for tears or hardening — replace if compromised.
- 5Clean slide pins, bores, and bootsWipe pins clean with a lint-free rag. Use brake cleaner sparingly on the metal pin and bore — keep solvent off rubber boots. Use a nylon brush to remove old grease and debris from the bracket bore. Dry thoroughly.ℹ️Do not use petroleum-based grease or solvents on rubber boots — they will swell and fail.
- 6Re-grease slide pinsApply a thin, even coat of silicone brake grease to each slide pin. Apply a small amount inside the boot lip and into the bracket bore. Avoid over-greasing — excess grease will hydraulically lock the pin and cause uneven pad wear.
- 7Reinstall slide pins and verify free movementInsert the slide pins back into the bracket bores with their boots properly seated at both ends. Push and pull each pin by hand — they should move smoothly with no binding. Reseat boot lips fully.
- 8Reinstall the caliperPosition the caliper back over the brake pads and bracket. Hand-thread the slide pin bolts to avoid cross-threading. Then torque to the specified value.⚠Apply silicone brake grease per spec; do NOT use thread locker on slide pin bolts unless explicitly specified by the OEM — it can lock the pin sleeve.Torque specCaliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
Reassembly
- Reinstall the wheel and hand-thread all lug nuts.
- Lower the vehicle until the tire just contacts the ground.
- Torque the wheel lug nuts in a star pattern to specification (Wheel Lug Nuts).
- Lower the vehicle fully and remove jack stands.
- Reconnect the 48V low-voltage battery.
- Exit Jack/Service Mode on the touchscreen and allow the air suspension to re-level.
- With the vehicle powered on but in P, press the brake pedal firmly several times to confirm a solid pedal before driving.
Verification
- Confirm a firm brake pedal with no excessive travel before moving the vehicle.
- At low speed in a safe area, perform several gentle stops to confirm even braking and no pulling.
- After a short test drive, re-check the wheel for correct lug nut torque and inspect the caliper area for any grease slung onto the rotor or pads.
- Check the touchscreen for any brake-related alerts or ABS/stability faults — Cybertruck will surface caliper or wheel-speed sensor issues here.
- While the wheel is off is also an ideal time to check brake fluid condition — Tesla recommends brake fluid replacement every 2 years regardless of mileage.
- Listen for any drag, squeal, or uneven pad contact on the first few miles — a sign of a sticking slide pin requiring re-service.