Changing pads on Electric handbrake

[johnloaderuk]

Chris...If you are keeping the car for a few years. Buy genuine VCDS frm ross-tech. You will never regret it. Every time you fault code check your car (or someone else's) you are saving at least £40. It works perfectly and is fantastic value at £260. You get help/support and free upgrades as they come out.

You can't argue with that - go for it.

[Chrisman]

Thanks very much indeed for the sound advice guys.
Greatly appreciated indeed!


Chris

[Dr. Ferdinand]

What is involved electronically? Can the caliper not be unbolted? Or does the electronic handbrake have to be totally de-activated?

[jwturpin]

Got a flyer from my VW dealer today with various prices on it, fitted pads start from £95, Richard Alexander Leeds.

[martin1810]

What is involved electronically? Can the caliper not be unbolted? Or does the electronic handbrake have to be totally de-activated?

The caliper motor has to be completely rewound. Then the caliper piston is pushed in so the pads can be fitted. Once fitted the caliper motor has to be wound back out to the correct starting point for the new pads. This ensures that the caliper motor only winds out enough to put the brake on correctly, when you press the button. If the motor is not reset properly, the brake will either not grip or will push so hard the motor is damaged.

[vwmaniac312]

This is the cheapest only tool that will get it retracted besides that vag com. http://amzn.to/2x6eHdJ It’s a scanner made by autel. You click on the EPB setting pick euorpean, vw , special functions, then deactivate brake, it will rewind the brake piston, turn ignition off. Then you change the brakes as normal. When finished go back to the scanner, same thing and this time activate the brakes instead of deactivate on the scanner. The 12 volt method can cause damage to the ecm

[DMitch16]

This is the cheapest only tool that will get it retracted besides that vag com. Amazon.com: Autel MaxiCheck Pro Chassis/Brake/Oil light/Steering Angle Sensor Diagnostic Tool: Automotive It’s a scanner made by autel. You click on the EPB setting pick euorpean, vw , special functions, then deactivate brake, it will rewind the brake piston, turn ignition off. Then you change the brakes as normal. When finished go back to the scanner, same thing and this time activate the brakes instead of deactivate on the scanner. The 12 volt method can cause damage to the ecm

Which is why you should always connect a battery charger before activating the EPB system when the engine is off. Plenty of small inexpensive hand held EPB brake tools out there most with basic ODB fault scanning capability (not ideal for VW fault code scans where VCDS or equivalently capable more advanced hand held diagnostic tools come in e.g. Autel Maxidiag Elite MD802 / MD805).

New / Remanufactured TRW caliper and motor units (OE) can be obtained for £150 to £200 each for DIY installation but certainly hugely expensive from VW.