Change rear pads - Release EPB without special tools?

[CarbonPepper]

My partner has a Mini Countryman F60 and the rear pads need changing. Don't know it it's lockdown or what but local dealer is being utterly useless and not even returning calls for appointments etc. Anyway I did the front pads a few weeks ago. The rears need doing now.

I have a diaglink OBD tool and obtained the Mini download for it, which covers all minis except the F60. Contact with Autel went nowhere.

I've done a few different cars with EPB and I've always been able to access a service option, but here I'm stumped. Is there a trick I can use to let me get these pads in? I'm thinking about disconnecting battery or some such.

Any advice much appreciated.

(My google-fu has failed utterly as it seems 99% of search results which includes words; release electronic parking brake, are for people who don't know how to drive a car with one).

Edited by CarbonPepper on Monday 16th November 13:45

[warch]

At a guess the brake won't release if the power supply is disconnected, that'd be a safety issue. You can buy special tools to release them that plug into the OBD but I am not aware of any other workaround.

I had to take my wife's car to a garage to have the rear pads changed.

[CarbonPepper]

warch said:

At a guess the brake won't release if the power supply is disconnected, that'd be a safety issue.

It will stay on, but because the actuators have two distinct positions, open and closed, and moving between the two requires power.

If I start the car and switch the EPB off, then reach under the caliper and pull the 12v plug from the caliper motor, I'm betting it would stay off. But, the last time I did something like that (with an airbag connector) it resulted in a service light coming on.

So I thought it was worth exploring the topic before experimenting.

Edited by CarbonPepper on Monday 16th November 14:25

[warch]

I hadn't considered that, do report back if that works, it'll be useful to know.

[E-bmw]

CarbonPepper said:

If I start the car and switch the EPB off, then reach under the caliper and pull the 12v plug from the caliper motor, I'm betting it would stay off. [/footnote]

The problem is that the "off position" won't be fully off, it will be only just off the disc I am guessing, worth a look though.

I would be tempted to do it slightly differently though.

EPB off, battery off, unplug caliper, check how far retracted the pads are before going any further.

Other wise you could well bring on an EPB fault.

[GreenV8S]

Does the 'parking brake off' position have the pads fully retracted? It should be obvious whether there is enough space to fit new pads. I suspect it may only retract slightly, in which case there would be a separate service position which is fully retracted.

[Flog123]

There is a trick with Volvo EPB's using a 9v battery to release.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8y54DKRHlAo

Maybe search for something similar?

[Belle427]

On some cars you can just remove the electric motor on the caliper and wind the piston back manually.
Not sure how many though, I’ve had success on a Nissan and a Vw where both systems have reset afterwards by re applying the parking brake after the work.

[blank]

Try the Android app Deep OBD.

It's not remotely user friendly but has most functions so should be able to do it.

[mickyh7]

Best to pump the brakes hard after fitting the Pads THEN put the Handbrake on.
Reverse 12volts on each motor should wind the pistons in.

[Cold]

Found a "How To". The tools mentioned appear to be a mechanical winding tool to wind in the pistons rather any electronic gubbins needing to be plugged in.

https://wp.dieselhaus.net/index.php/2020/03/31/rea...