Brake Caliper Bracket

Replacement of a brake caliper bracket on a 2024 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD. This is a mechanical-only job with no HV exposure, but proper torque on the bracket-to-knuckle bolts is critical for safety.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Brake caliper bracket (manufacturer-specified for 2024 Model 3 LR, front or rear as applicable) × 1 — OEM Tesla replacement bracket — verify front vs rear and left vs right
• Caliper bracket bolts (replace if Tesla specifies one-time-use) × 2 — OEM specification — verify reuse policy in service manual

Preparation

1. Park on level ground, place in P, engage parking brake.
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 12V (or Li-ion low-voltage) battery. On 2024 Model 3, this is typically accessed behind the right rear seat back panel; some 2024+ units use a lithium 12V located under the floor — verify location before cutting power.
4. DO NOT touch, cut, or pierce ANY orange cable — these are 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. Loosen the affected wheel's lug nuts while the vehicle is on the ground.
7. Raise the vehicle ONLY at Tesla-designated jack points using a puck-style pad to protect the HV battery floor. Support on jack stands rated for the vehicle's weight.
8. Remove the wheel and inspect the caliper, bracket, and rotor for the failure that prompted this repair.

Procedure

1. 1

   Inspect and prepare the work area
   With the wheel off, clean the caliper, bracket, and surrounding hub area with brake cleaner and a wire brush. Photograph the assembly orientation, including hose routing and hardware locations, before disassembly.
2. 2

   Remove brake pads (if reusing) or note pad position
   Retract the caliper piston slightly using a C-clamp or piston tool to ease pad removal. Remove the pad retention hardware and slide the pads out of the bracket. Keep inner and outer pads identified if reusing.
   ⚠Brake dust may contain harmful particulates — do not blow with compressed air; use brake cleaner to wash down.
3. 3

   Remove the caliper from the bracket
   Loosen and remove the caliper slide pin bolts (or caliper-to-bracket bolts depending on caliper design). Lift the caliper off the bracket without disconnecting the brake hose. Support the caliper with a hanger or wire from a suspension component — never let it dangle by the hose.
   Torque spec

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

   Remove the caliper bracket from the knuckle
   Locate the two caliper bracket bolts that secure the bracket to the steering knuckle (front) or rear knuckle. These are typically high-torque bolts and may require a breaker bar. Remove both bolts and lift the bracket off the rotor.
   ⚠Bracket bolts are high-strength fasteners. If Tesla specifies them as one-time-use, replace with new OEM hardware.
   Torque spec

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

   Clean and inspect mating surfaces
   Wire-brush the knuckle mating surface where the bracket seats. Inspect bolt threads in the knuckle for damage; chase threads only if necessary and avoid removing material. Inspect the rotor for scoring or wear from the failed bracket.
6. 6

   Install new caliper bracket
   Place the new bracket onto the knuckle, aligning bolt holes. Apply medium-strength (blue) threadlocker to the bracket bolt threads as recommended by Tesla. Hand-thread both bolts before applying torque.
7. 7

   Torque bracket bolts to specification
   Torque the caliper bracket bolts to the verified specification. For front brackets on this Model 3, use the front-specific spec. If service-manual sequence is provided, follow it; otherwise alternate between bolts in two passes (50% then 100%).
   ⚠Verify front vs rear bracket torque spec in the Tesla Service Manual before final torque — rear specification may differ.
   Torque spec

   Bracket Bolts102 Nm (75 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Reinstall brake pads and caliper
   Install the brake pads into the new bracket with any anti-rattle clips or shims in their original positions. Apply silicone brake grease to slide pin contact surfaces. Reseat the caliper over the pads onto the bracket.
9. 9

   Torque caliper slide/mounting bolts
   Install the caliper slide pin bolts (or caliper mounting bolts as applicable) and torque to the verified specification. Confirm the caliper moves freely on its slides if it is a sliding-caliper design.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)

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

    Reinstall wheel
    Mount the wheel onto the hub. Hand-thread all lug nuts, then snug them in a star pattern. Lower the vehicle until the tire just contacts the ground, then final-torque the lug nuts in a star pattern to specification.
    ⚠Tesla's aluminum wheels and steel studs require accurate torque — over-torquing can stretch studs; under-torquing can cause wheel separation.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts175 Nm (129 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Lower the vehicle fully to the ground.
2. Reconnect the 12V/Li-ion low-voltage battery and reinstall any trim removed for access.
3. With the vehicle off, press the brake pedal repeatedly until firm — this seats the pads against the rotor. Do NOT skip this step before driving.
4. Check brake fluid level at the master cylinder reservoir; top off with DOT 4 (verify against the cap marking on this specific vehicle) if needed.
5. Allow the vehicle to fully wake up; check the touchscreen for any brake system, ABS, or stability control warnings.
6. Re-torque lug nuts after approximately 50 miles of driving, per Tesla's recommendation.

Verification

• Confirm a firm brake pedal before driving — pedal should not sink to the floor.
• Perform a low-speed brake test in a safe area (5–10 mph) before normal driving, listening for grinding, scraping, or pulling.
• Bed-in the new pads/bracket assembly per Tesla's recommended procedure: a series of moderate stops from approximately 30 mph to low speed, allowing cooling between stops.
• Check the touchscreen for any ABS, traction control, or brake-related faults after the first drive.
• Visually inspect the bracket bolts and caliper for any movement or fluid weeping after the first drive.
• If brake fluid is more than 2 years old, schedule a brake fluid flush per Tesla's published 2-year service interval.

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

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