C5 3.0 HDI X7 tourer rear pads and discs - Electronic Park Brake?

[Jay-Bruce]

HI, Looking at our X7 tourer the other day as I was washing it, I noticed the back discs were showing a bit of a lip, so buoyed by love for the magic carpet I jumped on eBay, bought a set of mintex discs and pads for the back, and since it is higher mileage, a pair of rear wheel bearing/hub assemblies. Then the folly of my plan struck me - if when I turn the ignition off, it engages the electronic parking brake, pulling the back caliper on, how the fiddle sticks do you get the caliper off to change the pads, never mind all the other frippery I've listed above?

A quick search of the forum found all kinds of info about removing the actuator, starting at the centre console of the car to access the emergency release, but surely that isn't necessary for a simple brake job? I've got pretty good diagnostics kit, a laptop running Delphi diagnostics with suitable interface dongle, and a Lexia module with Service Box installed on the same laptop. SO... not having tried this yet, but am I to take it that the software, either Delphi or Servicebox can inhibit the park brake actuator for maintenance? Or is there even more trickery or something simpler to do to do a brake reline on the car?

Thanks in advance...

/Jay

[GiveMeABreak]

No need to touch the emergency release at all.

You just need to get the car iin the right position, then use your diagnostic tool to put the EPB into maintenance mode. That will release the cables fully for the job. Then the battery should be disconnected as a precaution to prevent accidental application during the replacement work.

[Paul-R]

I changed the pads at rear of my X7 (and our 308) without using Diagbox or any other code reader.

I disengaged the parking brake (ignition on, foot on brake, parking brake off) and then turned the ignition off. The car will bong urgently at you but ignore it. I already had the back end raised and on jacks with the rear wheels removed and I then simply pulled the electrical connectors off the actuator units. Then it was simply a case of following the procedure to remove pad, wind back pistons, etc.

[GiveMeABreak]

There are no caliper actuators or electrical connectors on the X7 Paul only on the 308.

For the purposes of correct advice (official procedures), you should carry out the electric parking brake calibration procedure after replacement of the pads and after the operation has been completed - which IS done with Diagbox or a similarly capable diagnostic tool.

If you want the correct procedure for this let me know - I'll need your VIN as there are 2 types of assembly available on the X7, Teves or TRW.

[Paul-R]

I did the X7 over a year ago so my recollection is a bit fuzzy. I know I left the car alone for several minutes after closing the doors to let all the electronics go to sleep. I must have just proceeded carefully after that! I certainly have had no problems since. It was just a matter of pumping the footbrake a few times and operating the parking brake a few times to get the pads in the right position at the end.

Two MOTs since have not thrown up a problem.

[GiveMeABreak]

I only mention this as these are mega bucks to replace and if there is any issue with the cables not reattaching - there could be bigger problems.