How to change rear brake pads with an electronic parking brake
Electronic parking brake systems require the caliper to be put into service mode before the rear brake pads can be changed. Without a dedicated scan tool to retract the piston, mechanics and DIYers risk damaging the electronic actuator motor.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
How to change rear brake pads with an electronic parking brake
- 1Retracting the caliper electricallyDid this help you?
- 2Spinning it backwards with the electric actuator removedDid this help you?
- 3Slowly winding the piston back with a rewind tool while watching the electronic motorDid this help you?
- 4Removing the motor and winding it back separatelyDid this help you?
- 5Renting an electronic parking brake service tool from an auto parts storeDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I’m going to change the brake pads on my wife’s 2023 kia sportage. I’ve never changed some that utilized an e-brake caliper so I’m wondering if this will work.”source ↗
“I need to replace the rear pads. Is it possible to replace the pads without having to have a scan tool to put the rear brakes in service mode?”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 6Finding individual brake parts for an older car
- 6How do I know if brake pad hardware is installed correctly?
- 8Why do brakes still fail after replacing calipers and bleeding?
- 2Can I reuse old brake pads on new rotors?
- 5Why do my car's brake rotors keep warping over and over?
- 2Why do electric brake boosters beep and suck fluid backward when bleeding?