How to Replace Brake Pads for an Electronic Parking Brake in a Car?
3 Answers
To replace the brake pads for an electronic parking brake in a car, follow these steps: 1. Use a jack to lift the front part of the car; 2. Remove the tire using appropriate tools; 3. Unscrew the caliper bolts, take out the damaged brake pads, and replace them. The electronic parking brake is an electronic parking brake system that integrates temporary braking during driving with long-term parking braking, controlled electronically to achieve parking braking. The working principle of an electronic parking brake in a car is: 1. Parking is achieved through the friction between the brake shoes and the brake drum or between the friction pads and the brake disc; 2. The control method replaces manual operation and mechanical linkage with electronic buttons and motors. The full name of this system is the Electronically Controlled Mechanical Parking Brake System.
As someone who frequently works on my own car, I find that replacing electronic parking brake brake pads is quite particular. First, you need to prepare tools such as a jack, wrench, and an OBD scanner to enter maintenance mode; otherwise, the electronic caliper will lock and prevent you from making any adjustments. After turning off the car, disconnect the negative terminal of the battery and connect the scanner to set the mode to release the parking brake. Next, remove the wheel, take off the caliper bolts to remove the old brake pads, and clean the grooves with sandpaper to ensure no dust remains. When installing the new pads, pay attention to the direction to avoid putting them on backward, apply some anti-squeal paste on the contact points, and then tighten the bolts to the manufacturer's specified torque value. Don’t forget to test by reconnecting the power, starting the car, and pumping the brakes a few times to calibrate the system and reset the parking brake. The key to the whole process is handling the electronic mode correctly—if you’re careless or lack the proper tools, it’s easy to damage the module and incur extra costs. I also recommend regularly checking the brake pad thickness for early prevention. Generally, a single replacement can last tens of thousands of kilometers, but the electronic system adds risk, so beginners should start with simpler parts to practice and avoid making mistakes in a rush.
I learned my lesson the hard way when replacing the electronic parking brake pads before. Here's the proper procedure: First, park the vehicle securely and turn off the engine - safety first. Disconnect the battery to prevent short circuits. Then, you must use diagnostic equipment to set the electronic parking brake to maintenance mode, which is quite troublesome without the right tools. After removing the wheels, carefully detach the caliper, take out the old pads, clean the area, install new pads with correct orientation, and lubricate key components. When reassembling, tighten the bolts to the exact torque specified in the manual - neither too loose nor too tight. Finally, restore power, start the engine, and repeatedly press the brake pedal to let the system relearn the position. The main risk throughout this process is that if the electronic parking brake isn't properly released, it could lock the caliper. Forcing operation might burn out the coil or trigger error codes, leading to more expensive repairs. For this reason, most car owners including myself now prefer going directly to professional shops to avoid potential hazards. Regarding maintenance, minimize hard braking to extend pad life, but replace them when worn down to 2mm - don't delay as it compromises driving safety.
