Brake Pads and Rotors - Rear

Replace the rear brake pads and rotors on a 2024 Tesla Model 3 Performance. Service Mode must be enabled to retract the electronic parking brake (EPB) calipers before pad/rotor removal.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear brake pad set (Model 3 Performance specific) × 1 — OEM or equivalent rear pad set for 2024 Model 3 Performance
• Rear brake rotors × 2 — OEM-spec rear rotor for 2024 Model 3 Performance
• Caliper hardware/clip kit (if supplied with pads) × 1 — Pad retention clips/shims as supplied

Fluids

• High-temp silicone brake grease (slide pins/contact points)

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. Before disconnecting 12V power: From the touchscreen, enter Service Mode (Controls > Service > Service Mode) and use the Brakes menu to place the rear EPB calipers in 'Pad Replacement / Service' mode. This retracts the EPB actuator to allow piston compression.
4. Exit Service Mode cleanly, then power down the vehicle (Controls > Safety > Power Off).
5. Disconnect the 12V (or Li-ion low-voltage) battery per architecture notes — on most 2024 Model 3 vehicles this is accessed behind the right rear seat back panel; some 2024+ units use a lithium 12V under the floor. Follow the appropriate access procedure.
6. DO NOT touch, cut, or pierce ANY orange cable — these are high-voltage and lethal.
7. 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.
8. Loosen rear lug nuts while the vehicle is on the ground.
9. Raise the rear of the vehicle using ONLY Tesla-approved lift points with puck adapters to avoid crushing the rocker pinch welds or the HV pack edge. Support on jack stands.
10. Remove rear wheels and set aside on padded surface (do not scratch the wheel face).

Procedure

1. 1

   Inspect rear brake assembly
   With the wheel removed, photograph and inspect the caliper, EPB motor connector, brake hose, and rotor. Note pad thickness, rotor thickness/scoring, and any leaks at the caliper or hose. Confirm the EPB has been retracted (the piston should move freely under hand pressure with a spreader — if it does not, return to Service Mode).
2. 2

   Disconnect EPB connector (if required by caliper design)
   Locate the electronic parking brake motor connector at the rear of the caliper. Release the locking tab and unplug it to prevent strain on the harness while the caliper is moved. Do not pull on the wire itself.
   ⚠Do not pry or yank the connector — the locking tab is fragile.
3. 3

   Remove caliper slide/guide pin bolts
   Hold the slide pin with a wrench and remove the two caliper guide pin bolts that secure the caliper body to the bracket. Slide the caliper off the bracket and support it with a hanger — do not let it dangle from the brake hose or EPB harness.
   Torque spec

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

   Remove old pads
   Lift the inner and outer pads from the bracket. Note the orientation of any wear-indicator tab and any anti-rattle clips/shims for reuse or replacement. Discard old pads.
5. 5

   Remove caliper bracket from knuckle
   Remove the two large caliper bracket bolts securing the bracket to the rear knuckle. Set the bracket aside on a clean surface.
   ⚠These bolts are at high torque and may have factory thread locker — use a breaker bar, not the torque wrench, for removal.
   Torque spec

   Bracket Bolts102 Nm (75 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove rear rotor
   Remove any retaining clip or set screw if present, then pull the rotor straight off the hub. If seized due to corrosion at the hub face, apply penetrating oil and tap the rotor hat with a dead-blow mallet — do not strike the friction surface or the aluminum knuckle.
7. 7

   Clean hub face
   Wire-brush the hub mounting face until clean and flat. Any rust or debris between hub and rotor causes runout and pulsation. Apply a very thin film of anti-seize to the hub center bore only — keep it off the wheel mounting face and lug studs.
8. 8

   Install new rotor
   Wipe the new rotor with brake cleaner to remove shipping oil. Install onto the hub. Optionally retain with a lug nut finger-tight to keep it flush during caliper bracket installation.
9. 9

   Reinstall caliper bracket
   Apply medium-strength thread locker to the caliper bracket bolts. Thread by hand, then torque to specification. Use a star/cross sequence if both bolts are tightened together; otherwise verify final torque on each.
   Torque spec

   Bracket Bolts102 Nm (75 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Service slide pins and install new pads
    Pull the slide pins from the bracket, wipe clean, inspect the rubber boots for tears, and re-grease with high-temp silicone brake grease. Reinstall pins. Install new anti-rattle clips/shims (if supplied), then seat the new inner and outer pads into the bracket with the friction material facing the rotor.
    ⚠Do not use petroleum grease on slide pins — it will swell the rubber boots.
11. 11

    Compress caliper piston
    With the EPB still in Service Mode retracted state, use a piston compressor to push the piston straight back into the bore. Many rear EPB calipers on Tesla require straight-in compression (not rotation) once the EPB is electronically retracted — do not force a rotation tool against the actuator. Monitor the brake fluid reservoir level so it does not overflow as fluid is displaced.
    ⚠️If the piston resists straight compression, STOP. The EPB is not fully retracted. Re-enter Service Mode and re-run the pad replacement function — do not force it.
12. 12

    Reinstall caliper
    Slide the caliper body over the new pads onto the bracket. Apply a small amount of thread locker per the slide pin bolt note (silicone brake grease at the pin shaft, threadlocker only if specified for the bolt threads — do not contaminate the slide surfaces). Hand-thread both guide pin bolts, then torque to specification.
    Torque spec

    Caliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reconnect EPB connector
    Reconnect the electronic parking brake motor connector and confirm the locking tab clicks home. Route the harness clear of any moving suspension or rotating components.
14. 14

    Repeat on opposite rear corner
    Perform steps 1–13 on the opposite rear wheel before exiting Service Mode.
15. 15

    Reinstall wheels
    Mount the wheels, hand-thread all lug nuts, then snug in a star pattern. Lower the vehicle and final-torque the lug nuts in a star pattern to specification.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reconnect the 12V low-voltage battery and reinstall any access panels removed.
2. Power on the vehicle and re-enter Service Mode. Use the Brakes menu to exit pad replacement mode and re-apply/calibrate the EPB. Confirm no brake or EPB faults are present.
3. Exit Service Mode.
4. With the vehicle stationary and in P, pump the brake pedal firmly several times until pedal becomes firm — this seats the pistons against the new pads. Do NOT attempt to drive without doing this; the first pedal application will go to the floor.
5. Verify and top off brake fluid reservoir to the MAX line with DOT-spec brake fluid per the cap label (Tesla specifies a DOT-grade fluid — verify against the reservoir cap and Service Manual; do not mix fluid types).
6. Cycle the EPB on/off via the touchscreen or shifter several times and listen for normal actuation.

Verification

• On a low-speed test in a safe area (5–15 mph), perform several gentle stops to verify pedal feel and even braking. No pulling, no grinding.
• Perform a manufacturer-recommended pad bed-in cycle (a series of moderate stops from ~30 mph followed by gentle cool-down driving without coming to a complete stop). Refer to the pad manufacturer's bed-in procedure.
• Re-check lug nut torque after the first 50–100 miles in a star pattern.
• Confirm no Brake System or EPB alerts on the touchscreen after a full power cycle.
• If brake fluid is older than 2 years, schedule a brake fluid flush — Tesla recommends fluid replacement every 2 years regardless of mileage.
• While the wheels are off, this is also a good opportunity to rotate tires (Tesla recommends every 6,250 mi) if due.

More procedures for this vehicle