Rebuild the rear brake calipers on a 2024 Model Y Long Range AWD by disassembling each caliper, replacing seals/boots/pistons as needed, and reinstalling with fresh DOT 3 brake fluid. The Model Y rear caliper is a single-piston floating design shared with Model 3 platform.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear caliper rebuild kit (piston seal, dust boot, bleeder cap) × 2 — OEM-equivalent rear caliper seal/boot kit for Model Y/3 rear caliper
• Caliper piston (if pitted/corroded) × 2 — OEM-spec rear caliper piston
• Slide pin boots and bushings × 2 — OEM-spec slide pin service kit
• Silicone brake caliper grease × 1 — High-temp synthetic caliper/slide pin grease
• Medium-strength threadlocker × 1 — Blue threadlocker (Loctite 243 equivalent)
• Brake pads (recommended while caliper is off) × 1 — OEM-spec rear pad set for Model Y
• Crush washers for banjo/line fittings (if applicable) × 4 — OEM-spec sealing washers

Fluids

• DOT 3 Brake Fluid (sealed, fresh) — 1 qt

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 under the rear seat / rear cargo area trim on 2024 Model Y). Refer to architecture notes for exact location.
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 Service Mode via the touchscreen and use the Brakes menu to release/retract the rear electric parking brake calipers. This is mandatory on Model Y rear calipers.
7. Loosen rear lug nuts while wheels are on the ground.
8. Lift the vehicle at Tesla-specified rear jack points using puck adapters; support on jack stands rated for the Model Y's curb weight (~4,400 lb).
9. Remove rear wheels and set aside on their faces to protect the finish.
10. Have a clean workbench, parts tray, and brake fluid catch container ready. Open a fresh sealed bottle of DOT 3 only when ready to bleed.

Procedure

1. 1

   Confirm EPB is retracted
   Verify on the touchscreen (Service Mode → Brakes) that the rear electric parking brake pistons are fully retracted and the system is in service state. Do not proceed if EPB has not retracted — forcing the piston back manually can damage the EPB motor/gearset.
   ⚠Mechanical retraction of the rear EPB piston is not supported on Model Y. Use the software procedure only.
2. 2

   Disconnect EPB connector
   Locate the electric parking brake motor connector at the rear of each caliper. Release the locking tab and unplug. Tuck the harness aside so it is not stressed when the caliper is removed.
3. 3

   Disconnect brake hose
   Place a catch pan under the caliper. Using a line wrench, loosen the hydraulic line fitting at the caliper. Cap or plug the line immediately to limit fluid loss and contamination. Discard sealing washers if a banjo-style fitting is used; replace on reassembly.
   ⚠Use a line/flare-nut wrench — an open-end wrench will round the soft fitting.
   Torque spec

   Line Fittings20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove caliper from bracket
   Hold the slide pin flats with a wrench and remove the caliper guide/slide pin bolts. Lift the caliper body off the bracket. Inspect slide pins, boots, and bores for corrosion, tearing, or seized motion.
   Torque spec

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

   Remove caliper bracket (optional, recommended)
   Remove the two caliper bracket bolts attaching the bracket to the rear knuckle. This allows full inspection and cleaning. Note the orientation; bolts are torque-critical and require threadlocker on reinstallation.
   ⚠Bracket bolts are CRITICAL fasteners. Replace if any sign of stretching, corrosion, or damaged threads.
   Torque spec

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

   Remove pads and hardware
   Slide the brake pads from the bracket. Remove anti-rattle/abutment clips. Inspect pads — if remaining material is below spec or unevenly worn, replace. Clean the bracket abutments with a wire brush.
7. 7

   Extract piston from caliper body
   Move the caliper to a clean bench. Because the EPB has been retracted electronically, use a piston removal tool (compressed-air through the fluid port, with the caliper wrapped in a shop rag) to pop the piston out. Apply only low, controlled pressure — the rear EPB piston has internal threads engaged with the spindle; do not rotate it forcibly.
   ⚠️Keep fingers clear of the piston bore when using compressed air — pistons can eject with significant force.
   ⚠If the piston will not release with low air pressure, STOP. The EPB spindle may not be fully retracted. Reconnect and retry the software retract procedure.
8. 8

   Remove dust boot and piston seal
   Carefully pry out the dust boot. Using a non-metallic seal pick, remove the square-cut piston seal from the bore groove. Avoid scratching the bore — any gouge in the bore requires caliper body replacement.
9. 9

   Inspect and clean
   Clean the caliper body, piston, and bore with fresh brake fluid or brake cleaner approved for rubber compatibility. Inspect bore for pitting, scoring, or corrosion. Inspect piston for pitting on the sealing surface. Replace piston if surface is not smooth and uniform. Inspect slide pin bores in the caliper ears for wear.
   ⚠Do not use abrasives in the bore. Light corrosion can be wiped with a brake-fluid-soaked lint-free cloth only.
10. 10

    Reassemble caliper with new seals
    Coat the new piston seal with fresh DOT 3 brake fluid and seat it in the bore groove. Install the new dust boot per the kit instructions (typically the outer lip seats in the caliper body groove). Lubricate the piston with brake fluid and gently press it straight into the bore until fully seated against the EPB spindle. Do not tilt the piston. Seat the inner lip of the dust boot in the piston groove.
11. 11

    Service slide pins
    Clean slide pins. If pins or bores show wear, replace with the service kit. Apply silicone brake grease to the pins and install new boots. Verify free, smooth travel.
    Torque spec

    Caliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reinstall caliper bracket to the knuckle if removed. Apply medium-strength threadlocker to the bracket bolts and torque per the verified spec.
2. Install pad hardware/abutment clips and brake pads in the bracket.
3. Mount the caliper body over the pads onto the bracket. Apply medium-strength threadlocker to caliper guide bolts and torque per the verified spec.
4. Reconnect the brake hose to the caliper using new sealing washers if banjo-type. Torque the line fitting using a line wrench.
5. Reconnect the EPB electrical connector at each rear caliper. Verify the locking tab clicks fully.
6. Refill the brake reservoir with fresh DOT 3 fluid. Bleed each caliper at the bleeder screw — Tesla service procedure typically follows RR, LR, RF, LF order; use a scan tool or Service Mode bleed routine if performing a full flush so the iBooster/ABS module is properly cycled.
7. Torque each bleeder screw to spec — do not overtighten; the bleeder threads are easily stripped.
8. While in Service Mode, run the EPB apply/release cycle 2-3 times and confirm no faults. Recalibrate the EPB if prompted.
9. Reinstall wheels. Lower vehicle until tires just touch the ground, then torque lug nuts in a star pattern to spec.
10. Reconnect the 12V battery, exit Service Mode, and clear any related DTCs through the touchscreen.

Verification

• With the vehicle still on stands or low-speed in a safe area, confirm the touchscreen shows no ABS, EPB, or brake-system warnings.
• Verify pedal feel: firm after 2-3 pumps, no sponginess (sponginess indicates trapped air — re-bleed).
• Inspect each caliper, bleeder, and line fitting for leaks under brake pedal pressure (have an assistant hold the pedal).
• Test the electric parking brake apply/release several times — listen for normal motor sound and confirm no fault chime.
• Perform a low-speed brake burnish: 5-10 moderate stops from ~30 mph with cool-down between, to bed the pads and seat the new seals.
• Recheck wheel lug torque after the first 50-100 miles.
• Note in service records: brake fluid was replaced — Tesla recommends brake fluid service every 2 years, so reset the 2-year interval from today.

More procedures for this vehicle