brakes

Brake Caliper - Front

for 2024 Tesla Model X Long Range Dual Motor AWD · AWD

Difficulty

Moderate

Time

1.0 h

Tools

Steps

Replace a front brake caliper on a 2024 Model X Long Range. Standard hydraulic brake service — no HV components involved — but observe the Tesla low-voltage shutdown procedure and air suspension precautions before lifting.

Warnings

⚠️Do not touch, cut, or pierce any orange cable. Although this job does not involve HV, orange cabling runs under the vehicle near the floor-mounted battery pack.

⚠Model X has standard air suspension. Place the vehicle in Jack Mode via the touchscreen before lifting to prevent the system from trying to self-level and damaging components or causing the vehicle to fall.

⚠Use only Tesla-approved lift puck adapters at the designated jack points. Lifting on the battery case will cause expensive damage.

⚠Falcon doors: keep them closed during this work. Avoid leaving the key fob near the vehicle, which could trigger door operation while you are underneath or beside the vehicle.

⚠Brake fluid is hygroscopic and damages paint. Cover painted surfaces and never reuse fluid.

ℹ️Aluminum suspension and body components — do not strike with a steel hammer. Use a dead-blow or plastic mallet if persuasion is needed.

Tools required

Metric socket set (including 21mm for lug nuts)Essential

Metric hex/Allen and Torx bit setEssential

Calibrated torque wrench (10–150 Nm range)Essential

Vehicle lift or jack with jack stands rated for Model X curb weight (~5,400 lb)Essential

Tesla-approved lift puck adapters (to protect battery pack)Essential

Brake fluid catch container and clear bleeder hoseEssential

Brake caliper hanger or bungeeEssential

Brake hose clamp / line plug

Wire brush

Threadlocker (medium-strength, blue)Essential

Brake bleeder (pressure or vacuum)

Parts

Front brake caliper assembly (manufacturer-specified for 2024 Model X) × 1 — OEM Tesla front caliper — left or right specific
Copper crush washers for banjo bolt × 2 — OEM size for Model X front caliper banjo fitting
Brake pads (inspect; replace if worn or contaminated) × 1 — OEM front pad set

Fluids

DOT 3 Brake Fluid (Tesla specification) — 1 qt

Preparation

Park on level ground, place in P, engage parking brake.
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.
Disconnect the 12V low-voltage battery located in the frunk (refer to service manual for the access panel and disconnect sequence specific to 2024 Model X).
DO NOT touch, cut, or pierce ANY orange cable — these are high-voltage and lethal.
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.
Before disconnecting 12V, enable Jack Mode through the touchscreen (Controls → Service → Jack Mode) so the air suspension does not try to self-level during lifting.
Loosen front wheel lug nuts while the vehicle is on the ground, then raise the vehicle on a lift or jack stands using only Tesla-approved puck adapters at the factory lift points.
Have a catch container ready and protect painted surfaces from brake fluid contact.

Procedure

1
Remove front wheel
Fully remove the lug nuts and pull the front wheel off the hub. Set the wheel aside on its sidewall to avoid damaging the finish.
2
Inspect caliper, pads, rotor, and hose
Visually inspect the caliper body for cracks, leaks, or seized pistons. Check pad thickness and rotor condition. Inspect the flexible brake hose for cracks or bulges — replace if compromised.
3
Clamp or prepare to plug the brake hose
Optionally clamp the flexible brake hose with a proper hose clamp (not pliers) to minimize fluid loss, or be prepared to plug the line immediately upon disconnection. Position a catch container beneath the caliper.
⚠Never use locking pliers on a brake hose — internal liner damage can cause hidden failure.
4
Disconnect the brake hose at the caliper
Remove the banjo bolt securing the brake hose to the caliper. Discard both copper crush washers — they must be replaced. Cap the hose end and the caliper port to prevent contamination and excessive fluid loss.
⚠Brake fluid will drip — protect surrounding components and paint.
5
Remove the brake pads
Remove pad retention hardware and slide the inner and outer pads out of the caliper bracket. Note the orientation of any wear sensor or anti-rattle clips for reinstallation.
6
Remove the caliper from the bracket
Remove the two caliper-to-bracket bolts (caliper guide/slider bolts). Support the caliper as the second bolt is removed so it does not fall. Lift the caliper off the rotor.
7
(If replacing the bracket) Remove caliper bracket
If the new caliper assembly comes with a bracket or you are replacing the bracket, remove the two front caliper bracket bolts from the steering knuckle. Clean the mating surface and threads.
Torque spec
Caliper Bracket Bolts120 Nm (88 lb-ft)
8
Compare and prepare new caliper
Compare the new caliper to the old one (side-specific, bleeder location, hose port orientation). Pre-fit any transferred hardware. Verify the bleeder screw is snug but not tight.
9
Install caliper bracket (if removed)
Apply medium-strength threadlocker to the caliper bracket bolts and install onto the steering knuckle. Torque to specification.
⚠Verify torque sequence and final value against the current Tesla Service Manual revision before final torquing.
Torque spec
Caliper Bracket Bolts120 Nm (88 lb-ft)
10
Install pads and caliper
Install the brake pads and any anti-rattle hardware into the bracket. Slide the new caliper over the rotor and pads, then install the caliper bolts and torque to specification.
11
Reconnect the brake hose with new copper washers
Install the banjo bolt with one new copper crush washer on each side of the hose fitting. Torque to specification. Confirm the hose is not twisted and is routed clear of suspension travel.
⚠Always use new copper washers — reusing them risks a slow leak that can cause brake failure.
12
Bleed the brake circuit
Top off the master cylinder reservoir with fresh DOT 3 fluid. Bleed the affected caliper using the bleeder screw until clean, bubble-free fluid emerges. Do not let the reservoir run dry. For full system bleed after extended exposure, follow Tesla's recommended bleed sequence in the service manual.
⚠Do not overtighten the bleeder screw — it is easily stripped and is a critical sealing surface.
Torque spec
Bleeder Screw10 Nm (7 lb-ft)

Reassembly

Reinstall the front wheel and hand-thread all lug nuts.
Lower the vehicle until the tire just contacts the ground, then torque the lug nuts in a star pattern to specification (Wheel Lug Nuts).
Reconnect the 12V battery and reinstall any covers removed in the frunk.
Exit Jack Mode via the touchscreen and allow the air suspension to self-level.
Top off the brake fluid reservoir to the MAX line with fresh DOT 3.

Verification

With the vehicle still stationary and ignition on, pump the brake pedal until firm — pedal must not sink slowly under steady pressure (indicates a leak or air in the system).
Inspect the banjo fitting and bleeder screw for any seepage after several pedal applications.
Check the touchscreen for any brake-related alerts or ABS/ESC warnings; clear and recheck after a short drive.
Perform a low-speed brake test in a safe area before road use — verify even, straight-line braking with no pull.
Recheck wheel lug nut torque after the first 50–100 miles (Wheel Lug Nuts).
Note: Tesla recommends brake fluid replacement every 2 years regardless of mileage — record this service date and consider a full flush if it is overdue.