Hi guys, not sure if this has been covered here before, I did a search but didn't find any threads about changing the rear pads without diagnostics to retract the caliper piston.
So I was servicing my TIG and found I needed to replace the rear pads. The problem I had is I don't have diagnostics that will work with VWs.
This is however not a problem, I used a guide I found on a volvo forum when I had a V70. The electric handbrakes are simply a motor on each caliper with only two cables going to it. With the car jacked up and the handbrake off. I unclipped the cable to each caliper. You will see two small pins on the caliper. I connected two wires to the motor pins with small female spade connectors. I then connected these to a 12volt battery, if the piston starts to come out you just swap the two wires round. Once the right way round you will hear the motor turn but it will not retrac the piston, after a few seconds you will see the piston start to spin. Disconnect the power. You can now simply push the piston back into the caliper like any standard one. Once you have fitted the new pads and refitted the calipers reconnect the wires and put the hand brake on. You will hear it running for a bit longer than normal. Pump the foot brake until firm. Job done.
So I was servicing my TIG and found I needed to replace the rear pads. The problem I had is I don't have diagnostics that will work with VWs.
This is however not a problem, I used a guide I found on a volvo forum when I had a V70. The electric handbrakes are simply a motor on each caliper with only two cables going to it. With the car jacked up and the handbrake off. I unclipped the cable to each caliper. You will see two small pins on the caliper. I connected two wires to the motor pins with small female spade connectors. I then connected these to a 12volt battery, if the piston starts to come out you just swap the two wires round. Once the right way round you will hear the motor turn but it will not retrac the piston, after a few seconds you will see the piston start to spin. Disconnect the power. You can now simply push the piston back into the caliper like any standard one. Once you have fitted the new pads and refitted the calipers reconnect the wires and put the hand brake on. You will hear it running for a bit longer than normal. Pump the foot brake until firm. Job done.
