Replace the front brake pads on the 2024 Tesla Roadster Tri Motor. Note: this generation Roadster is a low-volume vehicle with limited published service data — verify all specifications against the official Tesla Service Manual before proceeding.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front brake pad set (manufacturer-specified for 2024 Roadster) × 1 — OEM Tesla Roadster front pad set — confirm with VIN
• Caliper slide pin boots (inspect; replace if damaged) × 1 — OEM specification
• Anti-rattle clips / pad hardware (if supplied with pad kit) × 1 — Included with pad kit or OEM replacement

Fluids

• DOT 3 Brake Fluid (top-off only as needed)

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/48V on applicable models) low-voltage battery. See architecture notes — Roadster low-voltage battery location varies; consult service manual.
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. Confirm the vehicle is in service/transport mode if required for brake work on this model — refer to Tesla Service Manual; some Teslas require disabling regen and electronic parking brake service mode.
7. Loosen front wheel lug nuts while the vehicle is still on the ground.
8. Raise the front of the vehicle and support securely on jack stands rated for the vehicle's weight. Use the manufacturer-specified jacking points only — the Roadster's aluminum chassis can be damaged by improper jack placement.
9. Open the brake fluid reservoir cap; if reservoir is full, remove a small amount with a clean syringe to prevent overflow when pistons are compressed.
10. Inspect the area for any orange HV cabling routed near the front suspension before proceeding.

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove front wheels
   Fully remove the front lug nuts and pull the front wheels off. Set wheels aside on a clean surface to avoid scratching the finish.
2. 2

   Inspect caliper and rotor
   Visually inspect the caliper, rotor surface, slide pin boots, and brake hose. Note pad wear pattern (inner vs. outer) — uneven wear indicates a sticking slide pin or piston that must be addressed before reinstalling new pads. Measure rotor thickness against the manufacturer-specified minimum stamped on the rotor hat.
   ⚠If rotor is below minimum thickness, has heat cracks, or shows deep scoring, replace before installing new pads.
3. 3

   Remove caliper
   Identify the caliper design on this Roadster (floating or fixed). For a floating caliper, remove the two caliper slide/guide bolts that secure the caliper body to the bracket. Lift the caliper off the rotor. For a fixed multi-piston caliper, remove the pad retention pins/clips per the service manual instead. Do NOT let the caliper hang by the brake hose — suspend it with a wire hanger or bungee from the suspension.
   ⚠️Hanging the caliper by the flex hose can damage the hose internally and cause sudden brake failure.
4. 4

   Remove old brake pads
   Slide the old pads out of the caliper bracket (floating design) or out of the caliper body (fixed design). Note the orientation, location of any wear sensors, and any anti-rattle shims/clips so new pads are installed identically. If a brake pad wear sensor is fitted and is worn, replace it.
5. 5

   Clean and inspect bracket and slide pins (floating caliper only)
   Clean the caliper bracket pad abutments with a wire brush and brake cleaner. Remove the slide pins, inspect the boots for tears, and clean the pins. Re-lubricate the pins with silicone brake grease before reinsertion. If the slide pin boots are torn or pins are corroded/seized, replace them — a sticking pin will rapidly destroy new pads.
6. 6

   Compress caliper pistons
   Using a piston compression tool, slowly press the caliper piston(s) back into the bore until fully seated. Watch the brake fluid reservoir to ensure it does not overflow. For multi-piston fixed calipers, compress each piston evenly and use a thin board to keep already-retracted pistons in place.
   ⚠If the Roadster uses an electronically actuated parking brake on the front (uncommon, but verify), the caliper piston must be wound back with a service-mode procedure — do not force it.
7. 7

   Install new brake pads
   Install new anti-rattle hardware/shims as supplied. Place the new pads into the bracket (or caliper) in the same orientation as the originals. Apply a thin film of brake-specific anti-squeal lubricant ONLY to the pad backing plate contact points — never on the friction surface or rotor.
8. 8

   Reinstall caliper
   Lower the caliper over the new pads and rotor. Apply the specified threadlocker to the caliper slide/guide bolt threads (or caliper mounting bolts on a fixed caliper) per the service manual. Hand-thread bolts first to avoid cross-threading the aluminum components, then torque to specification. Confirm in the Tesla Service Manual which torque value applies to the fastener you are tightening — this Roadster has multiple bracket/caliper fasteners with different specs.
   ⚠Do NOT use the front Caliper Bracket Bolts (120 Nm) torque value unless you are reinstalling the caliper bracket itself. Slide bolts and bracket bolts are different fasteners.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Repeat on opposite side
   Repeat steps 1–8 on the other front wheel. Always replace front pads as an axle set (both sides together).
10. 10

    Pump brake pedal to seat pistons
    With the 12V reconnected (if you need brake lights/feedback) OR before reconnecting per service manual sequence, slowly pump the brake pedal repeatedly until it becomes firm. This pushes the pistons back out and seats the new pads against the rotors. DO NOT skip this step — the first pedal application after a pad change will go to the floor otherwise.
    ⚠️Failure to pump the pedal before driving will result in NO brakes on first application.
11. 11

    Top off brake fluid
    Check brake fluid level and top off to the MAX line with fresh DOT 3 brake fluid only. Reinstall the reservoir cap. If the fluid is dark or older than 2 years, schedule a full brake fluid flush — Tesla recommends fluid replacement every 2 years regardless of mileage.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall front wheels and hand-thread all lug nuts.
2. Lower the vehicle to the ground.
3. Torque lug nuts in a star pattern to specification.
4. Reconnect the 12V low-voltage battery if it was disconnected.
5. Power the vehicle on and verify no brake-related warnings appear on the touchscreen.
6. Clear any service mode if it was engaged.

Verification

• With the vehicle stationary and powered on, press the brake pedal firmly — pedal should be high and firm, not spongy.
• Confirm no ABS, brake, or traction control warning lights/messages on the touchscreen.
• At low speed in a safe area, perform several gentle stops from 5–10 mph to confirm braking response before any road test.
• Bed in the new pads per the pad manufacturer's procedure (typically 8–10 moderate stops from ~35 mph to ~5 mph without coming to a complete stop, followed by a cool-down). Note: the Roadster's regen will reduce friction-brake usage during normal driving — manual bed-in is important.
• After the first 50–100 miles, re-torque lug nuts and re-check brake fluid level.
• Reminder: Tesla recommends brake fluid replacement every 2 years regardless of mileage — log this service date.
• Torque values used in this procedure are database-verified but Roadster-specific fastener identification should be confirmed against the official Tesla Service Manual.

More procedures for this vehicle