Replacement of a front brake caliper on a 2024 Model 3 Performance. The Performance trim uses upgraded front calipers; this job includes hydraulic disconnection, so a full brake bleed is required afterward.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front brake caliper assembly (Model 3 Performance-specific) × 1 — Tesla Model 3 Performance front caliper — verify left/right side
• Copper sealing washers for banjo bolt × 2 — OEM-spec copper crush washers, banjo size
• Brake pads (recommended if worn or contaminated) × 1 — OEM-spec Model 3 Performance front pads

Fluids

• DOT 4 Brake Fluid (Tesla-specified) — 1 qt

Preparation

1. Park on level ground, place in P, and engage the parking brake via the touchscreen (Controls > Safety > Parking Brake).
2. Exit ALL doors with the key fob/phone key carried 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, the low-voltage battery may be located behind the right rear seat back panel or under the floor depending on build — confirm location before removing trim.
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. Place Service Mode is NOT required for this job, but if you have access, enabling it disables regen creep and Sentry Mode movement detection during the repair.
7. Loosen the front wheel lug nuts while the vehicle is on the ground.
8. Lift the vehicle using the OEM jack pads at the designated front jacking points. Support on jack stands rated for the vehicle's weight (Model 3 Performance is heavy — ~4,050 lb).
9. Remove the front wheel.
10. Inspect the caliper, hose, rotor, and pads. Confirm the failure is isolated to the caliper before continuing.

Procedure

1. 1

   Pre-position fluid catch and clamp the brake hose
   Place a catch pan under the caliper. If desired, use a hose pinch-off tool on the rubber section of the brake hose to minimize fluid loss from the master cylinder. Do not pinch a metal line.
2. 2

   Disconnect the brake hose from the caliper
   Using a line wrench on the banjo bolt (or appropriate fitting on this caliper), loosen and remove the brake hose at the caliper inlet. Catch fluid in the pan. Discard the old copper sealing washers — they are single-use. Cap or bag the open hose end to prevent contamination and minimize fluid loss.
   ⚠Brake fluid will drip — protect painted surfaces and wheel-well plastics.
3. 3

   Remove the caliper from the bracket (if applicable) or remove the caliper-and-bracket assembly
   Tesla Model 3 Performance front calipers are typically a fixed multi-piston design where the caliper bolts directly to the steering knuckle (no separate sliding bracket). Remove the caliper mounting bolts that secure the caliper body to the knuckle. Support the caliper as the bolts come free — do not let it hang by any line. If your specific configuration uses a sliding caliper with a separate bracket, remove the caliper guide-pin bolts first, then the bracket-to-knuckle bolts.
   ⚠Caliper mounting bolts are torqued high and may use thread locker — they can be tight. Use a 6-point socket and a long breaker bar.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Bracket Bolts120 Nm (88 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Transfer pads (if reusing) and inspect the rotor
   If pads are within service spec and not contaminated, transfer them to the new caliper following the manufacturer-specified orientation. Inspect the rotor for scoring, heat checking, or runout — replace as a pair (left and right) if out of spec. Clean the rotor face with brake cleaner.
5. 5

   Install the new caliper
   Position the new caliper over the rotor and align with the knuckle (or bracket) bolt holes. Apply medium-strength thread locker to the caliper mounting bolt threads as specified. Hand-thread all bolts before torquing to avoid cross-threading.
6. 6

   Torque the caliper mounting hardware
   Torque the caliper mounting bolts to the OEM specification listed for this fastener. If the configuration uses a separate caliper bracket, torque the bracket-to-knuckle bolts to their specification first, then the caliper-to-bracket fasteners.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Bracket Bolts120 Nm (88 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Reconnect the brake hose with new copper washers
   Install the brake hose to the caliper inlet using NEW copper sealing washers — one on each side of the banjo fitting. Do not reuse old washers. Torque the banjo bolt to specification. Confirm the hose is not twisted and routes freely without contacting the wheel, tire, or suspension components through full steering and suspension travel.
   ⚠A twisted or chafing brake hose will fail and cause sudden loss of braking on that corner. Cycle the steering lock-to-lock with the wheel installed to verify clearance.
8. 8

   Bleed the brake circuit
   Refill the brake fluid reservoir with the fluid type specified on the reservoir cap (Tesla Model 3 specifies DOT 4 — verify before pouring). Bleed the affected corner first using the bleeder screw, then bleed the entire system in the manufacturer-specified sequence. For complete air evacuation from the ABS/iBooster unit, an active ABS bleed via a capable scan tool is recommended. Maintain reservoir level above MIN throughout — do not let it run dry.
   ⚠Verify bleed sequence with the Tesla Service Manual for Model 3 — incorrect sequence can leave air trapped in the ABS module.
   Torque spec

   Bleeder Screw10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Final pedal check and leak inspection
   With the system bled, pump the brake pedal slowly several times. The pedal should be firm and high. Inspect the banjo fitting and bleeder screw for any seepage. Re-torque if necessary, but do NOT overtighten the bleeder screw.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall the front wheel. Hand-thread all lug nuts before tightening.
2. Lower the vehicle to the ground.
3. Torque lug nuts in a star pattern to the specified value.
4. Reconnect the 12V/low-voltage battery and reinstall any trim panels removed for access.
5. Top off the brake fluid reservoir to the MAX line with the correct fluid type.
6. Wake the vehicle and allow systems to fully boot. Clear any brake-related fault codes if a scan tool was used.
7. Bed in the new caliper/pads per the pad manufacturer's break-in procedure (typically a series of moderate decelerations from ~40 mph followed by a cool-down).

Verification

• Before driving: with the vehicle stationary and powered on, press the brake pedal firmly. The pedal should be high and firm with no slow sink under sustained pressure.
• Check the touchscreen for any brake-related alerts (e.g., 'Brake System Needs Service', ABS, or low fluid warnings). No alerts should be present.
• Perform a low-speed (5–10 mph) brake test in a safe area before normal driving. Verify the vehicle stops straight without pulling.
• After a short test drive, re-inspect the banjo fitting, bleeder screw, and caliper mating surface for any signs of weeping or leaks.
• Confirm no ABS, traction control, or stability control warning lights remain on the instrument cluster area of the touchscreen.
• Service interval reminder: Tesla recommends a brake fluid flush every 2 years regardless of mileage. Since this job already disturbed the hydraulic system, this is a good time to log the date and reset your service tracking.

More procedures for this vehicle