2025-01-23

Clean and Lubricate Brake Calipers (Non-Performance Brakes)

Correction code 33013345 (Wheels Removed) 0.48 NOTE: Unless otherwise explicitly stated in the procedure, the above correction code and FRT reflect all of the work required to perform this procedure, including the linked procedures. Do not stack correction codes unless explicitly told to do so. NOTE: See Flat Rate Times to learn more about FRTs and how they are created. To provide feedback on FRT values, email ServiceManualFeedback@tesla.com. NOTE: See Personal Protection to make sure wearing proper PPE when performing the below procedure. See Ergonomic Precautions for safe and healthy working practices.

  • 2024-05-28: Updated references and cautions.
  • 2024-01-25: Replaced Transport/Tow Mode steps with EPB Service Mode steps.
  • 2023-05-17: Added Mobile Service notes to chock opposing wheels, service the front calipers, and then service the rear calipers.
Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
Warning
Wear respiratory protective equipment in addition to standard personal protective equipment when servicing brake components.
Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
CAUTION
Do not mix brake pads, as they have worn specifically to their respective position within the caliper. Keep the inboard pad and the outboard pad separate and organized.
Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
CAUTION
Apply lubricants sparingly and do not permit lubricants to contact rotors, brake pad friction surfaces, or rubber brake components, especially piston seals. Use a Tesla-approved brake cleaner and clean shop towels to remove mis-applied lubricants.

This procedure describes a service performed when all four wheels have already been removed for another service, such as a winter tire to summer tire swap. If this procedure is to be performed standalone, then add the correction code 34012501 Wheels - Vehicle - Set (Remove & Install) to the Activity.

Perform these procedures in a manner that will be the least aggressive, considering the corrosion. Only when those steps are not effective, escalate the action to be more aggressive.Minimal corrosion, least aggressive to be effectiveMaximum corrosion, escalate to most aggressive to be effectiveFor example:First use a nylon brush to remove corrosion build-up from brake caliper abutment flats. If that is ineffective, escalate to a wire brush, and if that is still ineffective, escalate to a brake file.Use the brake file in single, forward strokes. Do not apply so much force as to remove any coating or metal from the caliper or carrier. 3 to 4 firm strokes of the file should smooth out the surface.First use a manual hammer and pin punch to remove retaining pins from the calipers before escalating to an air hammer. First use a brake pad puller to remove stuck brake pads before escalating to an air hammer with blunt chisel tip to break the pads free from the caliper.

Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
Note
On severely corroded brake calipers, the rapid vibration of an air hammer can help break up the corrosion and loosen retaining pins and brake pads stuck within the caliper. Apply the blunt tip of the air hammer to the locations where the retaining pins pass through the brake pads.
Figure 1. Model S caliper shown, Model X, Model 3, and Model Y calipers similar
Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
Note
If the brake pads have worn to the point of replacement, or the condition of the pad is such that braking safety is affected, replace the pads. Clean and lubricate other brake components as originally intended.
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Note
Replace retaining pins, anti-rattle springs, abutment springs/clips, shims, and bolts that are excessively corroded.

Procedure

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Note
If the vehicle already has all four wheels removed for another service procedure, begin this procedure at step 4.
  1. Move the vehicle to a 2-post lift. See Raise Vehicle - 2 Post Lift.
  2. Loosen the wheel lug nuts.
  3. Raise the vehicle only enough that the wheels no longer contact the floor.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    If performing this procedure as a Mobile Service, chock opposing wheels to prevent rollaway, service the front calipers, and then service the rear calipers.
  4. Place the vehicle into EPB Service Mode. See Parking Brake - Caliper - Rear - LH (Release).
  5. Raise the vehicle to a working height.
  6. Remove all four wheels. See Wheel Assembly (Remove and Install).
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    If performing this procedure as a Mobile Service, service the front calipers, and then service the rear calipers.
  7. Turn the front wheel hubs to point fully right.
  8. Use the appropriate pin punch to remove the retaining pins and anti-rattle spring from the front LH caliper.
  9. Use a caliper spreader to expand the brake pads and compress the pistons back into the front LH caliper.
  10. Remove the brake pads from the front LH caliper.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    Keep the inboard pad and the outboard pad separate and organized.
  11. Use a brush and Tesla–approved brake cleaner to clean the abutment flats, the piston faces, the inner surfaces of the front LH caliper, the retaining pins, the anti-rattle springs, the abutment springs/clips, and the brake pad edges and surfaces that contact the caliper.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    Make sure not to contaminate the friction material.
    Figure 2. Abutment flats
    Figure 3. Anti-rattle spring
  12. Apply a thin layer of Tesla-approved brake caliper lubricant to the abutment flats in the front LH caliper.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    Make sure not to contaminate the piston seals or any rubber components of the caliper.
  13. Apply a thin layer of Tesla-approved brake caliper lubricant to the brake pad edges that contact the abutment flats.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    Do not apply any lubricant to the back of the brake pads, and make sure not to contaminate the friction material.
  14. Install the brake pads into the front LH caliper.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    Do not mix brake pads, as they have worn specifically to their respective position within the caliper.
  15. Use the appropriate pin punch to install the anti-rattle spring and retaining pins into the front LH caliper.
  16. Rotate the front LH rotor 180 degrees, and then use the Tesla-approved brake cleaner to clean any lubricant or debris from the rotor. Repeat.
  17. Turn the front wheel hubs to point fully left, and then repeat step 8 through 16 for the front RH caliper.
  18. Point the front wheel hubs to center.
  19. Use a brush and Tesla–approved brake cleaner to clean dirt and debris from the outside of the rear LH caliper connector and harness.
  20. Release the red retaining tab and disconnect the electrical harness from the rear LH caliper connector.
  21. Move the rear LH caliper outward to partially compress the caliper piston.
  22. Remove the bolts (x2) that attach the rear LH caliper to the rear LH carrier, remove the caliper from the carrier, and then hang the caliper from an S-hook.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    Make sure not to strain or kink the brake jounce hose.
    Figure 4. Remove bolts
    Figure 5. Hang caliper
  23. Use the caliper spreader to compress the piston into the rear LH caliper.
  24. Remove the brake pads from the rear LH carrier.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    Keep the inboard pad and the outboard pad separate and organized.
  25. Remove the abutment springs/clips from the rear LH carrier.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Visually inspect the abutment spring/clips for corrosion or damage, and replace as needed.
  26. Use the brush and Tesla–approved brake cleaner to clean the abutment flats, the piston faces, the inner surfaces of the rear LH caliper and rear LH carrier, the abutment springs/clips, and the brake pad edges and surfaces that contact the caliper or carrier
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    Make sure not to contaminate the friction material.
    Figure 6. Abutment flats, Model X shown, Model 3/Y similar
  27. Install the abutment springs/clips into the rear LH carrier.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    The rear caliper abutment springs/clips are Teflon-coated. Additional lubrication on the springs/clips or rear brake pad ends is not necessary.
  28. Install the brake pads into the rear LH carrier.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    Do not mix brake pads, as they have worn specifically to their respective position within the carrier.
  29. Install the rear LH caliper onto the rear LH carrier, and then install the bolts (x2) that attach the caliper to the carrier.
    26 Nm (19.2 lbs-ft)
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    To prevent damage to the flexible brake hose, make sure that the brake hose is not twisted and can bend forward and does not make contact with the wheel arch liner when the vehicle is lowered.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    If the bolt heads have become deformed, replace the bolts.
  30. Connect the electrical harness to the rear LH caliper connector, fasten the red retaining tab, and then perform a push-pull-push check of the connection.
  31. Rotate the rear LH rotor 180 degrees, and then use the Tesla–approved brake cleaner to clean any debris from the rotor. Repeat.
  32. Repeat step 19 through 31 for the rear RH caliper.
  33. If the vehicle already had all four wheels removed for another service procedure, return to that procedure. Otherwise, continue to the next step of this procedure.
  34. Install all four wheels, and then lower the vehicle so that the wheels just contact the floor but do not support the weight of the vehicle. See Wheel Assembly (Remove and Install).
  35. On the vehicle touchscreen, touch and hold Park to disable EPB Service Mode.
  36. Disable Service Mode. See Service Mode.
  37. Lower the vehicle completely.
  38. Final torque all wheel lug nuts.
    175 Nm (129.1 lbs-ft)
  39. Pump the brake pedal until firm.
  40. Remove the vehicle from the 2-post lift. See Raise Vehicle - 2 Post Lift.
  41. In areas where road salt is used, rinse the suspension components at each wheel with clean water.
  42. Perform a cautious short drive comprised of multiple firm brake pedal applications to dry wet brake pads and rotors, and to verify braking performance.