Brake Pads and Rotors - Rear

Replace rear brake pads and rotors on a 2024 Tesla Model S Plaid. The Plaid uses larger performance rear brakes; the electronic parking brake (EPB) is integrated into the rear caliper and must be placed in service mode via the touchscreen before retracting the piston.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear brake pad set (OEM or OEM-equivalent for Model S Plaid) × 1 — Manufacturer-specified rear pad set for 2024 Model S Plaid
• Rear brake rotors × 2 — Manufacturer-specified rear rotor for 2024 Model S Plaid
• Caliper slide pin boots (if damaged on inspection) × 1 — OEM rear caliper guide pin boot kit
• Brake hardware/abutment clips (if supplied with pads) × 1 — Included with OEM pad set

Fluids

• DOT 3 Brake Fluid (verify by VIN — some newer Tesla require DOT 4) — 0.25 qt
• Silicone brake grease (slide pins / pad backing)

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 (or 16V Li-ion on Plaid, if equipped) low-voltage battery. On 2024 Model S Plaid the auxiliary battery is located in the front trunk under the nose cowl panel; on some 2021+ Plaid units a 16V Li-ion is located under the rear seat — verify by VIN 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. BEFORE disconnecting 12V: on the touchscreen, enter Service Mode → Chassis → Brakes → activate 'Brake Pad Replacement Mode' (or equivalent EPB service mode). This retracts the EPB actuators and disables auto-apply. Confirm the dash indicates EPB is in service mode.
7. After EPB is in service mode, then disconnect the low-voltage battery as described above.
8. Loosen rear lug nuts while wheels are still on the ground.
9. Lift the rear of the vehicle at the manufacturer-specified rear lift points using puck adapters, and support on jack stands rated for the vehicle weight.

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove rear wheels
   Fully remove the rear lug nuts and pull each rear wheel off. Set wheels aside on their faces to avoid scratching the finish. Inspect lug studs and hub faces for corrosion or damage.
2. 2

   Inspect caliper and brake hose
   Visually inspect the rear caliper, EPB actuator wiring, brake hose, and dust boots. Do not disconnect the EPB electrical connector unless the caliper is being removed from the vehicle. Note any leaks or torn boots before proceeding.
   ⚠Do not pull on the EPB harness — route any caliper hanging so the harness is not stressed.
3. 3

   Retract caliper piston
   With EPB confirmed in Brake Pad Replacement Mode, use a piston spreader to gently retract the caliper piston into its bore. Open the bleeder screw briefly during retraction if displaced fluid would otherwise back-feed into the master cylinder/ABS. Catch any fluid in a rag. Do NOT use a wind-back tool unless the manufacturer service procedure specifies it for this caliper — many EPB calipers in service mode retract straight in.
   ⚠Forcing the piston without EPB service mode active will damage the electronic actuator.
   Torque spec

   Bleeder Screw10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove caliper slide bolts and lift caliper off
   Remove the two caliper slide pin bolts that secure the caliper body to the bracket. Slide the caliper off the rotor and suspend it from the suspension with a bungee or hanger. Do not let it dangle by the brake hose or EPB harness.
   Torque spec

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

   Remove brake pads and hardware
   Remove the inner and outer pads from the bracket. Note the orientation and position of any anti-rattle clips, shims, or wear sensor (if equipped). Remove old abutment clips from the bracket.
6. 6

   Remove caliper bracket
   Remove the two caliper bracket bolts securing the bracket to the rear knuckle. Lift the bracket off and set aside.
   Torque spec

   Bracket Bolts102 Nm (75 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove rear rotor
   Remove the rotor retention screw if present. Pull the rotor off the hub. If seized, apply penetrating oil to the hub center and use the threaded extraction holes (M8) in the rotor face — do NOT strike the rotor or hub with a steel hammer. A dead-blow on the rotor friction surface is acceptable as a last resort.
   ⚠Aluminum knuckle/hub components — avoid steel hammer impacts.
8. 8

   Clean hub face
   Wire-brush the hub mounting face until clean bare metal is visible. Any rust or debris between hub and rotor will cause runout and pedal pulsation. A very thin film of anti-seize on the hub center pilot only (never on the friction face or studs) helps future removal.
9. 9

   Install new rotor
   Wipe the new rotor with brake cleaner to remove shipping oil from both friction surfaces. Mount the new rotor on the hub and reinstall the retention screw if equipped. Spin to confirm it sits flat with no wobble.
10. 10

    Reinstall caliper bracket
    Reinstall the caliper bracket to the knuckle. Apply blue thread locker to the bracket bolt threads. Torque to specification.
    Torque spec

    Bracket Bolts102 Nm (75 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Service slide pins and install new pads
    Pull the slide pins out of the bracket, wipe clean, inspect boots for tears, and apply a thin film of silicone brake grease before reinserting. Install new abutment clips (if supplied). Install new pads into the bracket — apply a small amount of brake grease to pad backing contact points and the abutment clip contact areas. Do NOT get grease on the friction surface.
12. 12

    Reinstall caliper
    With the piston fully retracted, slide the caliper over the new pads and rotor. Install the caliper slide pin bolts and torque to specification. Confirm the EPB harness is routed clear of suspension and rotor.
    Torque spec

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

    Repeat on opposite rear corner
    Perform steps 1–12 on the other rear wheel before reinstalling wheels. Both rear sides should be done as a pair.
14. 14

    Check brake fluid level
    Open the brake fluid reservoir (front trunk area) and confirm fluid is between MIN and MAX. Top up with the specified DOT 3 brake fluid if needed (verify DOT 3 vs DOT 4 by VIN before adding). If brake fluid service is due (every 2 years per Tesla), perform a full flush/bleed now.
    ⚠Brake fluid will damage paint and aluminum finishes — wipe spills immediately.
    Torque spec

    Bleeder Screw10 Nm (7 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reinstall rear wheels. Hand-thread all lugs before lowering.
2. Lower the vehicle to the ground.
3. Torque rear lug nuts in a star pattern to specification (Wheel Lug Nuts).
4. Reconnect the 12V/16V low-voltage battery.
5. Power up the vehicle. On the touchscreen, exit Brake Pad Replacement Mode / Service Mode. The system will re-energize the EPB actuators and re-clamp them — this is normal.
6. With the vehicle still stationary and in P, pump the brake pedal 5–10 times until firm to seat the pads against the new rotors. The first pump will likely go to the floor — do NOT drive until pedal is firm.
7. Cycle the EPB on/off several times via the touchscreen or shifter to confirm normal operation; no warning lights should appear on the dash.
8. Re-check brake fluid level after pumping pedal and top off as needed.

Verification

• Confirm no brake or EPB warning messages on the touchscreen or instrument cluster.
• Perform a low-speed (5–10 mph) brake test in a safe area before normal driving — confirm pedal is firm, vehicle pulls straight under braking, and no grinding/scraping.
• Bed in the new pads/rotors per pad manufacturer's procedure (typically a series of moderate 40→10 mph stops, then a 60→15 mph stop, allowing cooling between cycles). Bedding is critical to prevent uneven pad transfer and pulsation.
• After bedding, recheck rear wheels for unusual heat (a stuck caliper will run dramatically hotter than the opposite side).
• After first drive, re-torque rear lug nuts to specification.
• Reminder: Tesla recommends brake fluid replacement every 2 years regardless of mileage — log this service date and plan accordingly.

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

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