Changing rear brake pads on vehicles equipped with electronic parking brakes (EPB) requires specific procedures. This guide provides a detailed walkthrough using VCDS (Vag-Com Diagnostic System) for a safe and effective rear brake pad change. Ignoring these steps can lead to system errors and potential brake failure.
Opening the Rear Parking Brake with VCDS
Before starting, ensure all rear brake components are fully assembled and connect a battery charger according to your vehicle’s repair manual. Critically, cycle the parking brake ON and then OFF. This initial step is crucial for proper system function.
Using VCDS, navigate to:
- [Select]
- [53 – Parking Brake]
- [Basic Settings – 04]
Select “Start lining change mode” and click [Go!]. This initiates the Basic Setting and opens the rear brake calipers, allowing for pad replacement. Once the “Finished Correctly” message appears, select [Stop], then [Done, Go Back], and finally [Close Controller, Go Back – 06].
Turn off the ignition but leave the battery charger connected. Important: The caliper pistons will remain extended and must be manually pushed back using a suitable tool. A flashing parking brake light is normal, indicating the brake is in service mode. Do not operate the EPB switch or proceed to the closing procedure until the rear brakes are completely reassembled.
Closing the Rear Parking Brake with VCDS
With all rear brake components reassembled and the battery charger still connected, return to VCDS:
- [Select]
- [53 – Parking Brake]
- [Basic Settings – 04]
This time, select “End lining change mode” and click [Go!]. This closes the brake calipers. After seeing “Not Running” (or “Finished Correctly”), click [Stop], followed by [Done, Go Back], and then [Close Controller, Go Back – 06].
Finally, cycle the parking brake ON and OFF using the vehicle’s switch while simultaneously pressing the brake pedal. This final step ensures proper system reset.
Crucially, check for fault codes using VCDS before conducting a test drive. This confirms a successful procedure and identifies any potential issues requiring attention. Following this VCDS guide meticulously ensures a safe and effective rear brake pad change on vehicles with electronic parking brakes.
