Brake Rotor - Rear Single

Replacement of a single rear brake rotor on a 2024 Tesla Model S Long Range AWD. The rear brakes use a floating caliper design with a hat-style rotor retained by set screws.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear brake rotor (single) × 1 — OEM Tesla Model S 2024 rear rotor — verify by VIN; Performance/Plaid uses larger rotor than Long Range
• Rotor set screw (replacement recommended if seized/damaged) × 1 — OEM specification

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 low-voltage battery, located in the front trunk (frunk) under the nose cowl panel. (Note: some 2021+ Plaid units use a 16V Li-ion battery under the rear seat — verify your configuration.)
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. Disable the air suspension via touchscreen 'Jack Mode' if equipped (Performance/Plaid trims) — this prevents the system from attempting to self-level while lifted.
7. Loosen the rear lug nuts on the affected wheel approximately 1/2 turn before lifting.
8. Lift the vehicle at the Tesla-designated rear jack point using a rubber puck, and support with a rated jack stand. Confirm vehicle stability before working underneath.

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove the rear wheel
   Fully remove the lug nuts and pull the wheel straight off. Set the wheel face-down on a clean surface to protect the finish. Inspect lug studs for thread damage.
2. 2

   Inspect brake assembly
   Visually inspect the caliper, pads, rotor, and brake hose. Note pad thickness, rotor thickness, and any signs of fluid leakage from the caliper or hose. If pads are near minimum thickness, plan to replace them while the caliper is open.
3. 3

   Retract caliper piston (if reusing pads with new rotor)
   If reusing pads, gently push the caliper piston back into its bore using a C-clamp or piston-retraction tool with an old pad as a buffer. Monitor the brake fluid reservoir in the frunk — open the cap and remove fluid if needed to prevent overflow.
   ⚠Tesla rear calipers incorporate the electronic parking brake (EPB). On some Model S configurations the rear piston may need to be retracted via Tesla service software in EPB service mode. If the piston resists rotation/compression, STOP — do not force it.
4. 4

   Remove caliper slide pin bolts
   Locate the two caliper slide pin bolts on the inboard side of the caliper. Hold the slide pin with a wrench while loosening the bolt. Remove both bolts and slide the caliper body off the bracket.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Support the caliper
   Hang the caliper from the suspension using a caliper hanger or bungee cord. Do NOT let the caliper hang by the brake hose — this will damage the hose internally.
   ⚠Do not disconnect the EPB electrical connector unless necessary. If disconnected, the EPB will likely require a re-calibration via Tesla service software.
6. 6

   Remove brake pads (optional)
   Slide the inner and outer pads out of the caliper bracket if replacing them or to gain working clearance. Note pad orientation and any wear-sensor wiring routing.
7. 7

   Remove caliper bracket
   Remove the two caliper bracket bolts that secure the bracket to the rear knuckle. These are typically very tight — use a breaker bar if needed. Lift the bracket off the rotor.
   Torque spec

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

   Remove rotor set screw and rotor
   Remove the small set screw(s) retaining the rotor to the hub. If seized, apply penetrating oil and use a properly-fitting bit to avoid stripping. Pull the rotor straight off the hub. If the rotor is rust-bonded to the hub, tap the rotor hat (NOT the friction surface or hub) with a rubber/dead-blow mallet to free it.
   ⚠Aluminum suspension components — do not strike the knuckle or hub face with a steel hammer.
   Torque spec

   Rotor Set Screws7 Nm (5 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Clean hub face
   Wire-brush the hub mating face to remove all rust and debris. A flat hub-rotor interface is critical to prevent runout-induced brake pulsation. Apply a very thin film of anti-seize to the hub center pilot only — keep all lubricants off the rotor friction surfaces and the hub mating face.
10. 10

    Install new rotor
    Wipe the new rotor friction surfaces clean with brake parts cleaner to remove protective coating. Install the rotor over the hub studs and align the set screw hole. Install and snug the set screw.
    Torque spec

    Rotor Set Screws7 Nm (5 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reinstall caliper bracket
    Position the caliper bracket over the rotor onto the knuckle. Install the two caliper bracket bolts. Apply threadlocker if specified by Tesla service procedure.
    Torque spec

    Caliper Bracket Bolts102 Nm (75 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Reinstall pads and caliper
    Reinstall the brake pads into the bracket (with anti-squeal shims/clips as originally fitted). Slide the caliper body over the pads. Apply silicone brake grease to the slide pins, then install the slide pin bolts.
    Torque spec

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

    Reinstall wheel
    Mount the wheel on the studs. Hand-thread all lug nuts, then snug them in a star pattern. Final torque will be applied after the vehicle is on the ground.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Lower the vehicle to the ground.
2. Final-torque the lug nuts to specification in a star pattern.
3. Reconnect the 12V (or 16V) low-voltage battery.
4. Top up brake fluid to the MAX line in the frunk reservoir using DOT 3 (verify by VIN — newer builds may specify DOT 4). Do not mix fluid types.
5. Close the brake fluid reservoir cap securely.
6. With the vehicle in P and key fob present, press the brake pedal firmly several times until pedal feel returns to normal. Do NOT move the vehicle until pedal is firm.
7. If the EPB connector was disturbed or the rear piston was retracted electronically, the EPB may require re-calibration via Tesla service software — confirm function before driving.
8. Wake the vehicle and verify no chassis warnings (ABS, EPB, Traction Control) are displayed on the touchscreen.

Verification

• Confirm the touchscreen shows no ABS, EPB, ESC, or brake-related warnings after wake-up.
• Test the electronic parking brake: engage and release via the touchscreen/stalk and confirm normal operation with no fault.
• At low speed (under 5 mph) in a safe area, perform several gentle stops to confirm pedal feel and that no scraping/grinding is heard from the rear.
• Drive at 25-35 mph and perform 5-10 moderate stops to bed in the new rotor with the existing pads. Avoid hard stops for the first ~200 miles.
• Recheck lug nut torque after 50 miles of driving — Tesla aluminum hub assemblies are known to require a re-torque check.
• Note: If brake fluid is more than 2 years old, schedule a brake fluid flush — Tesla recommends brake fluid service every 2 years regardless of mileage.

More procedures for this vehicle