Service the brake caliper slide pins on a 2024 Model S Plaid — clean, inspect, and re-lubricate the pins with silicone brake grease to restore smooth caliper float and prevent uneven pad wear. The Plaid uses performance calipers; pin condition is critical given the vehicle's regenerative + friction braking duty cycle.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Caliper slide pin boots (rubber dust boots) — replace if torn or hardened × 1 — OEM caliper guide pin boot kit
• Slide pin bolts — reuse if undamaged, replace if threads or heads show wear × 4 — Manufacturer-specified caliper guide bolt

Fluids

• Silicone-based brake caliper grease (high-temp, rubber-safe)

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. Disconnect the 12V (or 16V Li-ion on this 2024 Plaid, located under the rear seat) low-voltage battery before working on brake hardware to prevent inadvertent EPB actuation.
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 the vehicle in Service Mode (via touchscreen) BEFORE disconnecting the LV battery — this disables the electronic parking brake auto-engagement and air suspension self-leveling. The Plaid is air-sprung; failing to enter Service Mode/Jack Mode can cause the suspension to fight the jack.
7. Loosen wheel lug nuts ¼ turn while the wheel is still on the ground.
8. Lift the vehicle at the manufacturer-specified jack point using a rubber puck, support on jack stands, and remove the wheel.

Procedure

1. 1

   Inspect caliper assembly before disassembly
   With the wheel removed, visually inspect the caliper, pads, rotor, and slide pin boots. Note any torn boots, leaking fluid, cracked pads, or scored rotors. On the Plaid's high-performance brakes, look for heat discoloration around the pin bores — a sign of a previously seized pin.
2. 2

   Remove caliper slide pin bolts
   Locate the two slide pin bolts on the inboard side of the caliper body. Hold the slide pin with a wrench if it spins, and remove both bolts. Set them aside on a clean surface — do not mix front/rear or left/right hardware.
   ⚠Do not remove the larger caliper bracket bolts at this stage — those mount the bracket to the knuckle and are not required for slide pin service.
3. 3

   Lift caliper off bracket and support it
   Slide the caliper body off the bracket and pads. DO NOT let it hang by the flexible brake hose — support it on a caliper hanger or bungee cord from the suspension. Stressing the hose on a Plaid can damage the internal liner.
   ⚠Never allow the caliper to dangle by the brake hose — internal damage may not show until brake failure.
4. 4

   Extract slide pins from caliper bracket
   Pull each slide pin straight out of its bore in the caliper bracket. Inspect the pin shaft for scoring, corrosion, or galling. Inspect the rubber dust boots for tears, hardening, or contamination. Replace boots if any defect is present.
5. 5

   Clean pin bores and pins
   Using a clean, lint-free rag (and a brass brush only if needed for corrosion), thoroughly clean the slide pin bores in the bracket and the pin shafts. Remove all old grease, debris, and any rust. Do NOT use brake cleaner inside a bore that contains a rubber boot — it will degrade the rubber. Wipe with a dry rag instead.
   ℹ️If a pin shows pitting or won't slide freely after cleaning, replace the pin set — a marginal pin will fail again quickly under Plaid braking loads.
6. 6

   Apply silicone brake grease
   Apply a thin, even film of silicone-based brake caliper grease to the entire pin shaft. Do not over-pack the bore — excess grease creates hydraulic lock and prevents the pin from seating fully. A light coating is correct.
7. 7

   Reinstall slide pins and verify free movement
   Slide each pin into its bore in the bracket with the dust boot properly seated on both ends. Push and pull the pin by hand — it should move smoothly with no binding. If a pin binds, stop and re-clean or replace.
8. 8

   Reinstall caliper onto bracket
   Verify pads are correctly positioned in the bracket. Lower the caliper body over the pads and align the pin bolt holes with the slide pins. Hand-thread both slide pin bolts before applying any torque.
9. 9

   Torque slide pin bolts
   Torque the caliper slide pin bolts to specification. Confirm dust boots are seated and not pinched.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reinstall the wheel. Hand-thread all lug nuts before applying torque.
2. Lower the vehicle until the wheel just contacts the ground.
3. Torque wheel lug nuts in a star pattern to specification (Wheel Lug Nuts: 140 Nm / 103 lb-ft).
4. Fully lower the vehicle and remove the jack.
5. Reconnect the LV battery.
6. Exit Service Mode via the touchscreen and allow the air suspension to re-level (Plaid).
7. With the vehicle stationary and brake pedal depressed, cycle the brake pedal 5–10 times to ensure firm pedal feel before driving.

Verification

• With the vehicle on the ground, depress the brake pedal firmly — pedal should be firm and not sink.
• Drive at low speed (5–10 mph) in an empty area and apply brakes gently several times to seat pads against the rotor.
• Listen for any scraping, clicking, or dragging — these indicate a pin not fully seated or a misaligned pad.
• After a short drive, carefully feel each wheel hub — excessive heat on the serviced corner indicates a dragging caliper (pin still binding or grease overpacked).
• Check the touchscreen for any ABS, EPB, or brake system alerts — clear any that appear and re-verify.
• Note: Tesla recommends brake fluid replacement every 2 years regardless of mileage. If brake fluid is due, schedule that service separately.
• Inspect slide pins again at the next tire rotation (Tesla recommends every 6,250 mi on this platform due to Plaid's torque and weight).

More procedures for this vehicle