Brake Pads and Rotors - Rear

Replace rear brake pads and rotors on a 2024 Model Y Long Range AWD. The rear calipers on this vehicle integrate the electric parking brake (EPB) actuator, which must be retracted via the touchscreen service mode before the caliper can be opened.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear brake pad set (manufacturer-specified for Model Y AWD) × 1 — OEM rear pad set
• Rear brake rotors × 2 — OEM rear rotor pair
• Caliper guide pin boots/clips (if damaged) × 1 — OEM hardware kit

Fluids

• DOT 3 Brake Fluid (top-up only if needed) — 0.25 qt
• Silicone brake grease (slide pins / pad backs)

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 behind/under the rear seat or under the frunk maintenance panel — verify location for this build year).
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: enter the touchscreen Service Menu and activate 'Brake Service Mode' (Pad Wear / Brake Caliper service). This retracts the rear EPB actuators and disables auto-application. Confirm both rear EPBs have released audibly.
7. Loosen rear lug nuts while the wheels are still on the ground.
8. Lift the rear of the vehicle using Tesla-specified jacking points with rubber pucks. Support on jack stands rated for the Model Y curb weight.
9. Remove rear wheels and set aside on the pad/sidewall to protect the finish.

Procedure

1. 1

   Inspect rear brake assembly
   With wheels removed, inspect the rear caliper, rotor, dust shield, and EPB wiring harness. Note pad thickness, rotor scoring, and any leakage at the caliper piston seal. Confirm the EPB cable is slack — if it is taut, Brake Service Mode was not properly engaged; STOP and re-enter service mode.
2. 2

   Disconnect EPB connector
   Locate the electric parking brake motor connector on the back of the caliper. Release the locking tab and gently disconnect. Do not pull on the wires. Tuck the harness aside so it is not stressed during caliper removal.
   ⚠Damaged EPB connectors will throw a parking brake fault that requires Tesla diagnostic tools to clear.
3. 3

   Remove caliper slide/guide pin bolts
   Using the appropriate socket, loosen and remove the two caliper slide pin bolts that hold the caliper body to the bracket. Hold the slide pin with a wrench if it spins.
   Torque spec

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

   Remove caliper from bracket
   Slide the caliper off the rotor. Suspend it from a suspension component using a bungee or hanger — do NOT let it hang by the brake hose. Inspect the flexible hose and dust boots for cracks while the caliper is accessible.
   ⚠Letting the caliper dangle by the hose can cause internal damage and a future fluid leak.
5. 5

   Remove old pads
   Slide the inner and outer pads out of the caliper bracket. Note the position of any anti-rattle clips or shims. Remove and discard the old pads.
6. 6

   Retract caliper piston
   With Brake Service Mode active, the EPB is retracted but the hydraulic piston still needs to be pressed back. Use a piston spreader or large C-clamp with a flat block to compress the piston squarely into the bore. Watch the brake fluid reservoir — if near full, siphon a small amount to prevent overflow.
   ⚠Do NOT rotate the rear piston to retract it — these calipers use a motor-driven screw, not a hand-twist mechanism. Use linear pressure only after EPB service mode has retracted the screw.
7. 7

   Remove caliper bracket and rotor
   Remove the two caliper bracket bolts securing the bracket to the rear knuckle. Lift the bracket away. The rotor should now slide off the hub. If rust-bound, thread two bolts into the rotor's threaded jacking holes (if equipped) and tighten evenly to break it free, or apply penetrating oil and tap squarely with a dead-blow.
   ⚠Do not strike aluminum hub components with a steel hammer.
   Torque spec

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

   Clean and prep hub face
   Wire-brush the hub mating surface to bare metal. Any rust or debris between the hub and rotor causes runout and pedal pulsation. Apply a thin film of anti-seize to the hub center bore (NOT the friction surface).
9. 9

   Install new rotor
   Wipe the new rotor's friction surfaces with brake cleaner to remove the protective oil coating. Slide the rotor onto the hub. If rotor retaining clips/screws are used, install hand-tight, or hold rotor in place with a single lug nut while reassembling.
10. 10

    Reinstall caliper bracket
    Apply medium-strength threadlocker to the caliper bracket bolt threads. Reinstall the bracket and torque to specification.
    Torque spec

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

    Install new pads and lubricate hardware
    Install any new anti-rattle clips into the bracket. Apply a thin layer of silicone brake grease to the pad ear contact points and the back of the pad backing plates (avoiding friction surfaces). Slide new pads into the bracket.
12. 12

    Reinstall caliper and slide pin bolts
    Inspect the slide pin boots; replace if torn. Apply silicone brake grease to the slide pins. Position the caliper over the new pads and install the slide pin bolts. Torque to specification.
    Torque spec

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

    Reconnect EPB harness
    Reconnect the electric parking brake motor connector until it clicks. Confirm the wire routing is clear of the rotor and suspension travel. Repeat the entire procedure on the opposite side before exiting service mode.

Reassembly

1. With both rear corners complete, reinstall the wheels. Hand-thread all lug nuts before any are torqued.
2. Lower the vehicle to the ground.
3. Torque lug nuts in a star pattern to specification.
4. Reconnect the 12V low-voltage battery.
5. Power on the vehicle. Exit Brake Service Mode via the touchscreen — the system will cycle the EPB actuators to apply against the new pads. Listen for the actuators running on both sides.
6. Top up brake fluid to the MAX line with DOT 3 if it dropped during piston retraction.

Verification

• With the vehicle still stationary, press the brake pedal firmly several times — pedal should be firm and consistent, not soft or sinking.
• Apply and release the parking brake from the touchscreen/shifter — confirm no warning messages and that you hear both rear actuators clamp and release.
• Check the instrument cluster / touchscreen for any brake or EPB fault messages. A red brake warning or 'Parking Brake Service Required' indicates the EPB did not re-calibrate.
• Bed-in the new pads: perform 8-10 moderate stops from ~35 mph down to ~5 mph, followed by 2-3 harder stops from ~55 mph, without coming to a complete stop in between to avoid pad imprinting on hot rotors. Note that aggressive regenerative braking on the Model Y means the friction brakes are used less — proper bed-in is important.
• After a short test drive, recheck lug nut torque and inspect for any fluid leaks at the caliper piston.
• Note: Tesla recommends a full brake fluid flush every 2 years regardless of mileage — log this date if not already current.

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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