Replace the front brake pads on a 2024 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD. The fronts use a sliding caliper design; pads typically last well due to regenerative braking, but rotor and slide pin condition should be inspected since corrosion is common on lightly-used Tesla brakes.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front brake pad set (Model 3 Long Range/Performance front) × 1 — OEM or OE-equivalent front pad set for 2024 Model 3 LR AWD
• Caliper slide pin boots (if torn during inspection) × 1 — Manufacturer-specified slide pin boot kit

Fluids

• DOT 4 Brake Fluid (top-off only if needed)

Preparation

1. Park on level ground, shift to P, and engage the parking brake via the touchscreen (Controls > Safety > Parking Brake).
2. Exit ALL doors with the key fob/phone key removed and placed at least 10 feet 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 the 2024 Model 3, the low-voltage battery is typically located behind the right rear seat back panel; some 2024 builds use a lithium unit under the floor — verify location before disconnecting.
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. Enable Service Mode if available (or at minimum, disable Sentry Mode and Cabin Overheat Protection) to prevent the vehicle from waking during the job.
7. Break front lug nuts loose while wheels are still on the ground.
8. Lift the front of the vehicle at the factory-designated jack pads (use Tesla-specified jack pad pucks to avoid damage to the battery enclosure rails) and support on jack stands.
9. Remove both front wheels.
10. Open the hood (frunk) and check brake fluid level at the master cylinder reservoir — if at MAX, siphon a small amount out to prevent overflow when retracting the caliper pistons.

Procedure

1. 1

   Inspect brake assembly before disassembly
   Visually inspect the rotor, caliper, slide pin boots, and flexible brake hose for damage, leaks, or excessive corrosion. Photograph the assembly for reference. Note pad wear pattern — uneven wear indicates a sticking slide pin that must be addressed during service.
2. 2

   Loosen caliper slide pin bolts
   Locate the two slide pin bolts on the inboard side of the caliper body. Hold the slide pin with a wrench if it spins, and break both bolts loose. The caliper bracket remains bolted to the knuckle at this stage.
3. 3

   Remove caliper from bracket
   Fully remove both slide pin bolts and lift the caliper body off the bracket and pads. Support the caliper with a wire hanger or bungee cord from the coil spring or control arm. DO NOT let the caliper hang by the flexible brake hose — this will damage the hose.
   ⚠Never let the caliper hang by the brake hose. Damaged hoses may not show external signs of failure until pressure is applied.
4. 4

   Remove old pads and inspect hardware
   Slide the inner and outer pads out of the caliper bracket. Note the orientation of any wear indicator clips or anti-rattle springs. Inspect the pad abutment clips on the bracket — if corroded or distorted, replace them. Clean the bracket abutment surfaces with a wire brush.
5. 5

   Service slide pins
   Pull each slide pin from the bracket. Inspect the rubber boots for tears and the pin shafts for corrosion or scoring. Wipe pins clean and apply a thin, even coat of silicone brake grease before reinstalling. The pins must move freely by hand once reseated.
   ⚠Do not use petroleum-based grease on slide pins — it will swell and destroy the rubber boots.
6. 6

   Retract caliper piston
   Using a piston compression tool or a large C-clamp braced against an old pad, slowly compress the piston fully back into the caliper bore. Watch the master cylinder reservoir to ensure it does not overflow. The Model 3 front caliper uses a straight-push piston (no rotation required).
   ⚠Compress slowly. Forcing fluid back too quickly can damage ABS valves or master cylinder seals.
7. 7

   Inspect rotor
   Measure rotor thickness and check for excessive scoring, lip buildup, or heat discoloration. Tesla rotors corrode quickly due to limited friction-brake use from regenerative braking — if surface rust is present but the rotor is within spec, a few moderate stops after the job will clean the surface.
8. 8

   Install new pads
   Install the new pads into the caliper bracket, ensuring any wear indicator tab is positioned per the manufacturer's instructions (typically trailing edge on the inboard pad). Apply anti-squeal compound to the back of the pad shims if specified by the pad manufacturer — never on the friction surface.
9. 9

   Reinstall caliper
   Lower the caliper body over the new pads and align with the slide pins. Hand-thread both slide pin bolts to ensure no cross-threading. Torque to specification.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Repeat for opposite side
    Perform steps 1-9 on the opposite front wheel. Brake pads must always be replaced as an axle set.

Reassembly

1. Verify both front calipers are fully torqued and slide pins move freely.
2. Reinstall front wheels. Hand-thread all lug nuts before applying any torque.
3. Lower vehicle to the ground.
4. Torque lug nuts in a star pattern to specification — refer to the Wheel Lug Nuts torque value. Verify sequence with service manual.
5. Reconnect the 12V/Li-ion low-voltage battery.
6. Top off the brake fluid reservoir to the MAX line with DOT 4 brake fluid only (verify spec on the reservoir cap).

Verification

• Before driving: with the vehicle in P, pump the brake pedal 5-10 times until firm. The first pump will be soft as the pistons take up clearance against the new pads — this is normal. DO NOT attempt to drive without a firm pedal.
• Check the brake fluid level once more after pumping the pedal.
• Exit Service Mode (if used) and re-enable Sentry/Cabin Overheat Protection per owner preference.
• Drive at low speed in a safe area and perform several gentle stops from 25-30 mph to confirm braking is even and pulls straight.
• Bed in the new pads per the pad manufacturer's procedure — typically 6-10 moderate stops from 35 mph to 5 mph without coming to a complete stop, followed by a cool-down period. Note: regenerative braking will dominate normal driving, so deliberate friction-brake bed-in is required on Teslas.
• After 50-100 miles, re-verify lug nut torque in a star pattern.
• Reminder: Tesla recommends brake fluid replacement every 2 years regardless of mileage — log this service date for the next interval.

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