Brake Rotors - Rear Pair

Replace both rear brake rotors on a 2024 Model S Long Range AWD. The rear pair share the same procedure; the rear caliper has an integrated electric parking brake (EPB) that must be placed in service mode via the touchscreen before disassembly.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear brake rotor (manufacturer-specified for 2024 Model S LR AWD — verify by VIN, sizing differs between 19"/21" wheel packages) × 2 — OEM or equivalent matched pair
• Caliper bracket bolts (replace if specified by service manual) × 4 — OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park on level ground, place in P, engage parking brake.
2. Exit ALL doors with 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: on the touchscreen, go to Service > Brakes and enable 'Brake Service Mode' (or 'Pad/Caliper Service Mode'). This retracts the EPB actuator and disables auto-apply. Confirm the screen shows the EPB is in service position.
4. Disconnect the 12V low-voltage battery in the frunk (under the nose cowl panel) to prevent inadvertent EPB actuation while wheels are off. Note: on 2021+ Plaid trims the LV battery is a 16V Li-ion unit under the rear seat — this 2024 LR is the frunk-mounted unit; verify before disconnecting.
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 car is still on the ground.
8. Lift the rear of the vehicle using only Tesla-approved jack pad locations with urethane pucks. Support on jack stands rated for the vehicle weight (~4,800 lb curb).

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove rear wheels
   Fully remove the lug nuts and pull both rear wheels. Set wheels face-down on a soft surface — Model S wheels are easily curb-rashed and the centerbore seals are easily damaged.
2. 2

   Verify EPB is in service position
   Visually confirm the EPB actuator on the back of each rear caliper is not under load. If you skipped Service Mode, STOP and re-enable it via the touchscreen before going further. Forcing the piston back with the EPB engaged will strip the internal screw drive.
   ⚠Do NOT unbolt or unplug the EPB motor from the caliper. It is not serviced separately on this job.
3. 3

   Remove caliper slide pin bolts and lift caliper off
   Remove the two caliper slide pin bolts from the rear caliper. Slide the caliper off the bracket and pads. Support it with a hanger or bungee from the suspension — DO NOT let it dangle from the brake hose or the EPB wiring harness.
   Torque spec

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

   Remove brake pads
   Slide the inner and outer pads out of the caliper bracket. Inspect pad thickness, anti-rattle clips, and the EPB harness routing. If pads will be reused, mark them inner/outer and L/R.
   ℹ️Tesla rear pads typically wear unevenly due to regen — measure both pads on each side.
5. 5

   Remove caliper bracket
   Remove the two caliper bracket bolts holding the bracket to the rear knuckle. These are torqued high and may have factory threadlocker — use a 1/2" breaker bar. Set the bracket aside.
   Torque spec

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

   Remove rotor set screw and rotor
   Remove the small Torx set screw retaining the rotor to the hub. Pull the rotor straight off. If seized to the hub face (common on aluminum hub interfaces), thread two bolts into the rotor's threaded extraction holes and tighten evenly to break it free. Do NOT strike the rotor with a steel hammer near the wheel speed sensor or the aluminum knuckle.
   ⚠Wheel speed / ABS sensor is mounted in the knuckle adjacent to the rotor. Do not pry against or contact the sensor tip.
   Torque spec

   Rotor Set Screws7 Nm (5 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Clean hub face
   Wire-brush the hub mounting face until bare and flat. Any rust or debris between the hub and new rotor will cause runout and brake pulsation. Wipe clean with brake cleaner. Apply a thin film of anti-seize ONLY to the hub centerbore (not the rotor friction surface or hub face).
8. 8

   Install new rotor
   Wipe the new rotor's friction surfaces with brake cleaner to remove shipping oil. Mount the rotor on the hub and install the rotor set screw.
   Torque spec

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

   Reinstall caliper bracket
   Reinstall the caliper bracket onto the knuckle. Apply medium-strength threadlocker to the bracket bolt threads if the OEM bolts had threadlocker and you are reusing them; otherwise replace the bolts per OEM specification.
   Torque spec

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

    Install pads and caliper
    Install pads (new or inspected) into the bracket with anti-rattle clips seated correctly. With EPB in Service Mode, gently retract the piston by hand or with a spreader if needed — do NOT use a wind-back tool unless specifically designed for EPB calipers in service mode. Slide the caliper over the new rotor and pads. Apply silicone brake grease to the slide pins, then install and torque the slide pin bolts.
    ⚠Never force-rotate the EPB piston. The rear piston on Tesla EPB calipers retracts via the actuator, not by rotation.
    Torque spec

    Caliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Repeat for opposite rear side
    Repeat steps 1–10 on the other rear corner. Both sides must use matched rotors.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall rear wheels. Hand-thread all lug nuts before snugging.
2. Lower the vehicle to the ground and torque lug nuts in a star pattern to specification.
3. Reconnect the 12V battery in the frunk and reinstall the cowl/cover.
4. Power the vehicle on. On the touchscreen, exit Brake Service Mode. The EPB will cycle and self-calibrate — listen for the actuator running on each rear caliper.
5. Confirm no brake or EPB warning lights remain on the cluster/touchscreen.
6. With the vehicle still stationary, press and release the brake pedal 5–10 times until firm to seat the pads against the new rotors.
7. Engage and release the parking brake 2–3 times via the touchscreen/stalk and confirm normal operation.

Verification

• At low speed (5–10 mph) in an empty area, perform several gentle stops using friction brakes (disable regen by selecting 'Roll' or by pressing the brake firmly enough to override regen) — feel for pulsation, pulling, or noise.
• Bed in the new rotors per the rotor manufacturer's procedure: typically 6–8 moderate stops from 35 mph to 5 mph, then a cool-down drive without coming to a complete stop.
• After the test drive, re-check rear lug nut torque in the star pattern.
• Inspect both rear rotors for even pad transfer film (uniform gray) — blue/black hot spots indicate uneven bedding.
• Confirm via the touchscreen that no EPB, ABS, or brake fault codes are present.
• Tesla recommends brake fluid replacement every 2 years regardless of mileage — if it has been 2+ years since last service, schedule a brake fluid flush. Note: this 2024 Model S uses DOT 4 — verify on the master cylinder cap before service.
• While the wheels are off is also a good time to inspect rear pad life, rotate tires (Tesla recommends every 6,250 mi), and check the rear suspension air struts (if Performance/Plaid trim) for leaks.

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

Codes that commonly send this job to the bay — tap one for symptoms, causes, and diagnostic steps.

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