Volkswagen/Audi : How to Change Rear Brake Pads and Retract Electronic Parking Brake 

I heard that using anything other than the computer might triggers the check engine light. Have you had that?

@@117raph I had no CEL issues. The motor retracted and all was well. I compressed the caliper piston, installed my pads & rotors and all is well!

@@robslist5562 Cool, thanks! I'm gonna try it

Thanks for that little tip, have a new 2022 VW Taos and that connector has a flat side too, and it's negative :)

That's actually cheap..went to dealership and they want 700+ just for rear brakes .it's just a golf R with this crazy e-brake tech on it

@@carbonio28 i was just told $775 at a vw dealership on the east coast. I told them to pound sand.

Thanks partner

Absolutely. That will work just fine 👍🏻

No real need for a video, it's pretty simple. Inside the car there is an electronic parking brake switch. Usually it's next to the shift knob, and has the letter P inside of a circle on it. Once you've replaced the pads and have put everything back together, get in the car and start it up. Then simply put your foot on the brake pedal and pull up on the parking brake switch once to activate the parking brake. Once it is set, a red "BRAKE" message will show on the dash confirming that its set, after that you just press down on the switch once to disengage the brake. Then repeat that process two more times. On, off, On, off. Then you're done It just ensures that the parking brake is set in the proper position and functioning properly.

@@GoofysBandit Haha , for some reason i thought you said something else but re watched the video and figured out what you said. just never deleted the comment. thanks for the reply though and the video super informative and helpful!

Here is a video of me using a diagnostic device to apply the electronic throttle to a 2014 Audi Q5: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-8n7VY1RVflw.html , you can watch it, it may help you.

No. Once you install the brake pads, and reinstall the caliper, you need to activate the emergency brake two or three times in the car. This will make sure the emergency brake is reset

Hello, maybe you can watch my video and develop a new idea! Here is a video of me using a diagnostic device to apply the electronic throttle to a 2014 Audi Q5: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-8n7VY1RVflw.html , you can watch it, it may help you.

Here is a video of me using a diagnostic device to apply the electronic throttle to a 2014 Audi Q5: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-8n7VY1RVflw.html , you can watch it, it may help you.

Thats a caliper press. You use it to push the Caliper back into position so that you can fit the new brake pads in. You can buy one at any auto parts store. You will need it it to change the brake pads

@@GoofysBandit Just got one! Thanks, Austin

Also, just want to say to everyone, this also worked for me!

No. It doesn't matter if the parking brake is active or not when you start the job, you will still have to rewind it. When you deactivate the parking brake using the switch, it doesn't unwind itself fully. It only unwinds a couple of millimeters, and just enough to release pressure from the pads. I wouldn't activate it before you start the job though, as it might make removing the caliper more difficult if the parking brake is applying contant pressure

or a higher one-i use a 18v battery ,dosnt matter

I did the same w a 9v and 2 wires.

No, because as your pads wear down the electronic parking brake piston follows them. It is never fully retracted when it's "disengaged". It follows right behind the brake pad because if it was in a fully retracted position at all times during driving or parking, then it would take a long time for the motor to wind out the piston to actually put pressure on the pads, holding the car in place. It only ever sits a few millimeters off the pads. Otherwise everytime you pulled up on the parking brake, you would sit there and listen to that motor whirring for like 20 seconds before it ever actually made contact with the pads. Thats why when you activate the brake, you onky hear it whir for like 1 or 2 seconds, before stopping. Because its in a constantly primed position, ready to apply pressure at a moments notice. Same goes for driving, the parking brake when held up during driving can be used as an "emergency brake" in a dangerous situation. And in order for it to slow the car down quickly when you pull up the button, the piston has to already be out and near the pad in order to almost immediately begin slowing the car down. Otherwise again, you would pull up on the button and have to wait 20 seconds before the car actually began slowing down, if the piston had to engage from a constantly retracted postion. Sorry for the rant.

Thanks. And yes there are many different ways of going about it. This is the easiest if you dont have the super expensive computer. And yes even a small C or D battery should work.

@@GoofysBandit I agree,seems very clean and foolproof, thank you much for your reply.

@@GoofysBandit Hey there, i did have another question about this before i tango with it this weekend and again i think your way is the best way, however i was wondering... when you turn your car off before you did this doesn't the parking brake engage automatically for safety at turnoff making it impossible for you to remove the caliper like you did or does the VW EPB allow you to turn the parking brake off before you turn your car off and it stays disengaged? thank you again for any input.

@@dntlss Before I turned the vehicle off I just ensured the Parking brake was off by pressing the button down. I didnt have any difficulty taking off the caliper.