Replacement of a rear brake caliper on a 2024 Model 3 Long Range AWD. The rear calipers also house the integrated electric parking brake (EPB) actuator, which must be retracted via service mode before removal.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear brake caliper assembly (with EPB motor) - manufacturer-specified for 2024 Model 3 LR AWD × 1 — OEM Tesla rear caliper - left or right side specific
• Copper crush washers for banjo fitting × 2 — Sized to OEM banjo bolt
• DOT 4 brake fluid × 1 — Tesla specifies DOT 4 (not DOT 3)

Fluids

• DOT 4 Brake Fluid (Tesla specification) — 1 qt

Preparation

1. Park on level ground, place in P, and engage the parking brake.
2. On the touchscreen, navigate to Service Mode (or Controls > Service) and place the Electric Parking Brake into 'Service Mode' / pad replacement mode. This retracts the EPB actuator and allows caliper service. Confirm the rear EPB motors have cycled.
3. Exit ALL doors with the key fob/phone key away from the vehicle. Wait at least 2 minutes for HV systems to fully de-energize, even on this non-HV job.
4. Disconnect the low-voltage battery. On 2024 Model 3, the 12V (lithium) battery is typically located under the front trunk floor or rear seat area depending on build — refer to architecture notes and service manual for your specific VIN.
5. DO NOT touch, cut, or pierce ANY orange cable — these are high-voltage and lethal.
6. 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.
7. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while the vehicle is on the ground.
8. Raise the rear of the vehicle at the manufacturer-specified lift points using rubber jack pads, and support on jack stands.
9. Remove the rear wheel on the affected side.
10. Inspect the brake hose, bleeder, and bracket for corrosion before disassembly. If the bleeder is seized, plan to replace the caliper bracket assembly.

Procedure

1. 1

   Verify EPB is retracted
   Confirm via the service menu that the rear EPB on the affected side was successfully placed in service mode before 12V was disconnected. If the actuator did not retract, do not attempt to pry the piston back — damage to the EPB gear train will result. Reconnect 12V and retry service mode if needed.
   ⚠Never manually compress an unretracted EPB caliper piston — the integrated motor and screw drive will be damaged.
2. 2

   Disconnect EPB electrical connector
   Locate the electrical connector on the rear caliper EPB motor. Release the locking tab and disconnect the harness. Tuck the harness aside so it is not strained during caliper removal.
3. 3

   Prepare to disconnect the brake hydraulic line
   Place a drain pan beneath the caliper. Have replacement copper crush washers ready. Clean the banjo/fitting area with brake cleaner so debris does not enter the hydraulic system.
4. 4

   Disconnect the brake hose from the caliper
   Using a line wrench where applicable, loosen the brake hose banjo bolt (or hard line fitting, depending on configuration) at the caliper. Allow fluid to drain into the catch pan. Cap the hose immediately to limit fluid loss and air ingress. Discard the old copper washers.
   ⚠Do not let the hose dangle by its fitting — support it to prevent internal liner damage.
5. 5

   Remove the caliper from the bracket
   Remove the two caliper-to-bracket bolts (guide pin bolts). Note their orientation. Lift the caliper assembly off the rotor and brake pads. If only the caliper is being replaced (not the bracket), leave the caliper bracket bolted to the knuckle.
6. 6

   (Optional) Remove caliper bracket if being replaced
   If the rear caliper bracket is also being replaced, remove the two large caliper bracket bolts that secure the bracket to the rear knuckle. Note that these are torque-to-spec critical fasteners.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Bracket Bolts100 Nm (74 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Transfer pads and inspect
   Transfer the brake pads to the new caliper assembly (or install new pads if doing concurrent service). Inspect the rotor for scoring, lip, and minimum thickness — replace if out of spec. Confirm the new caliper's piston is fully retracted (it should ship in service position).
8. 8

   Install the new caliper
   Position the new caliper over the rotor and pads. Apply medium-strength threadlocker to the caliper bolts per the manufacturer specification. Install and torque the caliper bolts.
9. 9

   Reconnect the brake hose with new copper washers
   Install the brake hose to the new caliper using NEW copper crush washers on both sides of the banjo fitting. Hand-thread the banjo bolt to avoid cross-threading, then torque to specification. Ensure the hose is not twisted and routes naturally without contacting suspension components through full travel.
   ⚠Always use new copper washers — reusing them will cause weeping or sudden failure under brake pressure.
10. 10

    Reconnect the EPB electrical connector
    Reconnect the EPB harness to the new caliper motor. Confirm the locking tab is fully seated. Route the harness in its original clips so it is clear of the rotor and suspension travel.
11. 11

    Bleed the brake system
    Reconnect the 12V battery so the brake reservoir level sensor and ABS module are powered if pressure-bleeding is used. Top off the master cylinder reservoir with fresh DOT 4 brake fluid. Bleed the affected rear caliper at the bleeder screw until clean, bubble-free fluid flows. Tesla typically specifies a full system bleed sequence using diagnostic tooling — for a single-caliper service, at minimum bleed that corner thoroughly and verify pedal feel. Torque the bleeder carefully — do not overtighten.
    ⚠Refer to the Tesla Service Manual for the correct bleed sequence — a full ABS/iBooster bleed may require service software.
    ℹ️Brake fluid replacement is recommended every 2 years regardless of mileage — consider bleeding all four corners while you're in the system.
    Torque spec

    Bleeder Screw10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Verify reservoir level and cap
    Top off the brake fluid reservoir to the MAX line with fresh DOT 4. Securely install the reservoir cap. Wipe down any spilled fluid with water.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall the rear wheel and hand-thread all lug nuts to seat the wheel against the hub.
2. Lower the vehicle until the tire just contacts the ground, then torque the lug nuts in a star pattern to specification.
3. Lower the vehicle fully to the ground.
4. Reconnect the 12V low-voltage battery if not already reconnected for the bleed procedure.
5. Allow the vehicle to wake fully and clear any transient alerts on the touchscreen.

Verification

• With the vehicle awake and brake pedal depressed, exit Service Mode for the EPB and command the parking brake to apply and release several times via the touchscreen. Listen for the EPB motor cycling normally on the serviced caliper.
• Verify no warning messages remain on the instrument cluster (e.g., 'Parking Brake Fault', 'Service Brake System', or ABS warnings). Re-calibrate the EPB via service menu if prompted.
• Pump the brake pedal until firm before driving. The pedal should not sink or feel spongy — if it does, re-bleed.
• Inspect the banjo fitting and bleeder screw for any weeping after several pedal applications.
• Perform a low-speed test in a safe area: confirm the vehicle stops straight, with no pull, no grinding, and the parking brake holds the vehicle on a slight incline.
• Recheck fluid level after the test drive and top up to MAX if needed.
• Reminder: Tesla recommends brake fluid replacement every 2 years regardless of mileage — log this service date.
• Torque all wheel lug nuts again after ~50 miles of driving.
• If any ABS, traction control, or EPB warning persists, a full bleed and module calibration with Tesla service software may be required.

More procedures for this vehicle