Audi A3 Saloon 2018 - Rear brake discs and pad change EPB issue

[MANIXDJ]

Hi,

Bit of a long story but I went to change out my rear brake pads on my 2018 A3 Saloon, which has EPB, and well messed it up.

1. Retracted the pistons using the OBD.
2. Went to fit the pads on the NS, but the piston did not seem to retract far enough to fit the new pads and discs! So I mistakenly aborted the on the OBD and must have pressed proceed , which in turn sent the piston out too far! So calliper is done for and will now be changed out.

In any case, I am ready with a new calliper to put it all back together now, but I want to make sure I don't break anything else! And there is of course now an EPB error on the dash, and the program to go in to the EPB seems to have an error.

• Is there anything I should do before I fit the calliper and of course go to the OFS to replace the discs and pads on that side?
• How do you clear the EPB fault. Don't have full VAGCOM.
• Does the calliper bleed like any other "normal' calliper to bleed the air and should this be before or after the EPB reset?

Currently the car is stuck at home on the drive until I can sort it, otherwise I would have just given it to the garage! Close to getting a mechanic round to sort it but I am always keen to learn what's what.

TIA!

 

[Scotty75]

The caliper bleeds the same as any other, bleed and top up the brake fluid reservoir. Use a plug in adapter like OBD Eleven or Carista to reset the fault code once done.

When I changed the pads on my S3 the piston actually just pushes back in for what it’s worth.


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[MANIXDJ]

The caliper bleeds the same as any other, bleed and top up the brake fluid reservoir. Use a plug in adapter like OBD Eleven or Carista to reset the fault code once done.

When I changed the pads on my S3 the piston actually just pushes back in for what it’s worth.


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Thanks, I will fit it all back together, bleed and reset the code. Will post back how I get on.

The piston definitely did not push back in, and then decided to spill tiny bearings everywhere, so was definitely done!

 

[Scotty75]

Some callipers need a wind back tool, basically you keep turning until it retracts but on my S3 at least it simply pushed back.

Hope it all goes well for you


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[MANIXDJ]

Some callipers need a wind back tool, basically you keep turning until it retracts but on my S3 at least it simply pushed back.

Hope it all goes well for you


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You were right, it does just push back in after you have run the wind back command! Learnt from my expensive mistake and did the other side without issue! All codes cleared and brakes back in working order! Cheers for your help! MOT Tuesday, better pass now!

Just as a side note, if anyone is doing the discs, you need to remove the carriers, you'll probably get the old ones off depending on how worn they are, but the new ones won't clear them! You need to renew the bolts and they are an absolute **** to get on to and turn if you're on the ground on stands. After much persistence I managed to get them all off and back on, even torqued them to the correct 90Nm! They are definitely designed to be removed from below and with a 90 degree impact wrench! There is little room around them, especially the top one, which is close to the rear upper suspension arm!