Fantastic video. My biggest hesitation when doing the job was getting an error code. There are also other good videos that show you how to use a 12v battery to withdraw the electronic brake, which was going to be my first choice of method for this job. However, once getting into the job, I became worried about breaking the electrical clip. The mechanical method then became the easiest, safest, and fool proof way to do the job. Don't get the scanner and forget about the battery hookup. This was the way to go. Simple, clear, fast video. Thank you.
Bro, this is the best ...video straight to the point!! You are saving us lots of $$ and headaches with ebrakes . I am ordering my pads right now :) Big Thanks Dean
BEST METHOD! Scan tool is the "right" way, but this is a very safe and easy method to simply remove the brake motor itself (two 5mm Allen bolts on the 2018 Atlas) and just turning the inner piston by hand (I used an E12 socket; fit perfectly) clockwise until it stops. After turning all the way clockwise, simply compress the piston and then re-attach the caliper motor to the caliper housing. The electric caliper motor has no "memory" of where it is--it just turns until it hits resistance and then backs off when released. After finishing the brakes, pump them a couple of times and then set/release the parking brake 3 times to "calibrate".
Thank you for taking the time to post this. This worked perfect. Changed out my brakes and e-brake is working great. Saved me from buying a scanner. Super simple.
Thanks for posting this! was really useful info. No issues with your method. After everything was back on, I just pressed on the brake pedal with the ignition off, and I could hear the brake actuator re-set itself.
Hey dude. Had to comment on your video. No Nonsense, no self advertising all business. You fucking saved our bacon today on the girlfriend's Honda. We struggled with the e-brake side.. Big time. Your video was extremely educational so I thank you
Great video and thanks for the help man! I would add, I'm working a '21, and you have to also turn the actual piston clockwise instead of using traditional compressor tool. You can use needle nose, but I found that the ring tool for angle grinders fits perfectly!
Saved me a lot of grief on my 2025 Jetta. Apparently VW is now locking out the modules so the Carista/OBD 11 etc... can no longer access the functions. I needed to change out the horrible factory pads and this video was the one that gave me confidence to do it this way. I would say that I did remove the motors first before taking out the calipers so that the orientation was not an issue for me. Clockwise with a 10mm socket did the trick. THANKS for this.
Vw probably did that because their customers are getting tired of being told to spend $700 on a rear brake service. They're out of their damn minds. I'll be doing the rear pads and rotors on my 22 taos this weekend.
@@bretthuffine It's an EPA/NHTSA thing. Ford and chevy are also locking down their 2025s. Basically, never buy a new car past 2020. Between quality issues and lack of ownership they are not worth it.
Excellent video bro ! Yer video & advice enabled me to do the job. Parking brake and the brake pad job work great. Dashboard lights reset after about 30 seconds of driving !
Thank you for posting this video! I actually have a scan tool but accidentally hit action 2 in the brake service setting while a brake caliper was off the car and really messed things up on a 2018 Tiguan. The scanner kept pushing the e brake and it turned the cylinder Aaaaaall the way out of the caliper then the scanner wouldn't allow anything to happen after that. Cycling manually seems to have fixed it. I guess we'll see as time goes on 🙃
You need to replace your calipers now. I did the same, both shot out... There are many little balls and springs in the piston there that all fell apart and wouldn't be anyway to put it back together right.
Hey man, nice vid. Was just wondering, after the install, to reset the e brake you just need to cycle de e brake right ? You push once on the e brake button and it should reset by itself ?
No you'll leave in the fully retracted position until everything is assembled and complete before test drive apply parking brake from inside the vehicle and it will reset it self
Hey Dan I turned it the wrong way and didn't notice. It pushed the cylinder out the whole way and it doesn't seem to be going back in when I turn it clockwise. Any tricks to get it back in?
You need to retract the inner screw piece all the way back into Factory position take the Piston lubricate the rubber o-ring and the Piston put it in straight and slowly work it in sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't
I jst spinned it until it stopped spinning, then I disconnected the battery and pushed it in the rest of the way woth the other break caliper push in tool so u need both for this job the spin tool and the push in tool didn't remove the parking break or anything saves u time from unscrewing those 2 bolts and spinning it from the back
What do you do if after replacing the electronic parking brake actuator the dash is reading fault, how do you reset it, is a scan tool the only way at that point? (as I was doing my breaks the actuator plastic fractured at the screw point, so I drove it a few days without the parking brake actuator being on which of course gave me a fault light. However when I received the actuator and installed it, the fault light on dash did not turn off)
Have you tried running it through a cycle by applying the parking brake? Try to unplug the actuator and plug it back in. If that doesn't work you may have to have it reset
@@andrewmclaren858 This is something I would NOT do on the Atlas or any VW. You really don't want the system to be reset in this way if you can avoid it or you may end up with a bunch of DTCs.
I have replaced both actuators and just had this towed as it got stuck in the on position after replacing the brakes and both actuators as it got stuck previously too. I now have the the wires disconnected, but anyone have info into what happened during the brake change months ago? And what I should replace?
@@danthebrakeman no it's the parking brake. I have wound them back and disconnected the wiring for the ebrake. My thought is that I need a stronger scan tool than my $140 one to reset it?
Also, I have done this on three other vehicles with the electronic braking system, but this one seems to be giving me trouble. And I could use some help on it.
No if you twist the spline drive in as showed in the video the only thing you must do after the repair is complete is turn the e brake on to set it back to where it needs to be.
I just did my wifes breaks, its a 2018 vw Tiguan, all went well no issues, but when i drive it and hit the breaks i hear a horrible grinding sound coming from the rear breaks?
Manual Ebrake:Cable snaps after wear and tear, RARELY. If it does happen, easy to repair Electronic Ebrake: actuator fails, dashboard throws codes, housing cracks, etc!!! I hate these new cars and all their bells and whistles. They drive up MSRP’s and repair bills. Just give me all mechanical, two knobs on the radio and two slide levels on the HVAC.
Fantastic video. My biggest hesitation when doing the job was getting an error code. There are also other good videos that show you how to use a 12v battery to withdraw the electronic brake, which was going to be my first choice of method for this job. However, once getting into the job, I became worried about breaking the electrical clip. The mechanical method then became the easiest, safest, and fool proof way to do the job. Don't get the scanner and forget about the battery hookup. This was the way to go. Simple, clear, fast video. Thank you.
Thanks bro! Worked like a charm. No issues and no lights on the dash. 2018 VW Atlas
Bro, this is the best ...video straight to the point!! You are saving us lots of $$ and headaches with ebrakes . I am ordering my pads right now :) Big Thanks Dean
BEST METHOD!
Scan tool is the "right" way, but this is a very safe and easy method to simply remove the brake motor itself (two 5mm Allen bolts on the 2018 Atlas) and just turning the inner piston by hand (I used an E12 socket; fit perfectly) clockwise until it stops. After turning all the way clockwise, simply compress the piston and then re-attach the caliper motor to the caliper housing. The electric caliper motor has no "memory" of where it is--it just turns until it hits resistance and then backs off when released. After finishing the brakes, pump them a couple of times and then set/release the parking brake 3 times to "calibrate".
Lol thanks for the summary
This is helpful! I was scrolling through comments wondering about the brake "memory" and worried I might have to index it somehow. Thanks!
Thank you for taking the time to post this. This worked perfect. Changed out my brakes and e-brake is working great. Saved me from buying a scanner. Super simple.
Thanks for posting this! was really useful info. No issues with your method. After everything was back on, I just pressed on the brake pedal with the ignition off, and I could hear the brake actuator re-set itself.
Hey dude. Had to comment on your video. No Nonsense, no self advertising all business. You fucking saved our bacon today on the girlfriend's Honda. We struggled with the e-brake side.. Big time. Your video was extremely educational so I thank you
Glad it was helpful!
Triple thumbs up 👍🏾 👍🏾 👍🏾 you don’t know how much of a life saver you are, really!
🙏
Wanted to chalk another thanks up to ya. Really appreciate you taking the time to make this little how-to! Straight to the point, no fat. Thank you!
Great video and thanks for the help man! I would add, I'm working a '21, and you have to also turn the actual piston clockwise instead of using traditional compressor tool. You can use needle nose, but I found that the ring tool for angle grinders fits perfectly!
Saved me a lot of grief on my 2025 Jetta. Apparently VW is now locking out the modules so the Carista/OBD 11 etc... can no longer access the functions. I needed to change out the horrible factory pads and this video was the one that gave me confidence to do it this way. I would say that I did remove the motors first before taking out the calipers so that the orientation was not an issue for me. Clockwise with a 10mm socket did the trick. THANKS for this.
Vw probably did that because their customers are getting tired of being told to spend $700 on a rear brake service.
They're out of their damn minds.
I'll be doing the rear pads and rotors on my 22 taos this weekend.
@@bretthuffine It's an EPA/NHTSA thing. Ford and chevy are also locking down their 2025s. Basically, never buy a new car past 2020. Between quality issues and lack of ownership they are not worth it.
Excellent video bro ! Yer video & advice enabled me to do the job. Parking brake and the brake pad job work great. Dashboard lights reset after about 30 seconds of driving !
thank you first video that showed me what to do and was simple
I darn near broke it! Thanks for the video!
Thank you for posting this video! I actually have a scan tool but accidentally hit action 2 in the brake service setting while a brake caliper was off the car and really messed things up on a 2018 Tiguan. The scanner kept pushing the e brake and it turned the cylinder Aaaaaall the way out of the caliper then the scanner wouldn't allow anything to happen after that. Cycling manually seems to have fixed it. I guess we'll see as time goes on 🙃
That's why I always retract them while mounted. Don't want a piston popping out and making a mess plus triple the work...
You need to replace your calipers now. I did the same, both shot out... There are many little balls and springs in the piston there that all fell apart and wouldn't be anyway to put it back together right.
@@eurotomek35 I must have got lucky because her brakes have been working fine since then.
Alligator clips and a 12v battery works everytime for me😊
Just saved my day
Saved us when we were stuck!
Worked perfectly
A huge thank you from a used car technician.
Brother thank you so much!!
No problem
Darn it. I wanted to have to buy a new scantool! Back to work I go. 😪 lol thanks.
Haha
So this will reset the parking brake motor position? I warped my last new set 😢
Hey man, nice vid. Was just wondering, after the install, to reset the e brake you just need to cycle de e brake right ? You push once on the e brake button and it should reset by itself ?
Yes sir just engage the parking brake it will reset it self
Thank you for video that helpful
Once i put new pads and rotors on? Do i have to turn the spline to apply pressure before mounting the motor back on? Thanks
No you'll leave in the fully retracted position until everything is assembled and complete before test drive apply parking brake from inside the vehicle and it will reset it self
@danthebrakeman thanks!
Hey Dan I turned it the wrong way and didn't notice. It pushed the cylinder out the whole way and it doesn't seem to be going back in when I turn it clockwise. Any tricks to get it back in?
You need to retract the inner screw piece all the way back into Factory position take the Piston lubricate the rubber o-ring and the Piston put it in straight and slowly work it in sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't
Does it automatically take its self out of service mode once put back together?
Yes once you push the parking brake button
Are you starting the brake job with the e brake off or on?
Ebrake off you never do a brake job with an e brake on
I jst spinned it until it stopped spinning, then I disconnected the battery and pushed it in the rest of the way woth the other break caliper push in tool so u need both for this job the spin tool and the push in tool didn't remove the parking break or anything saves u time from unscrewing those 2 bolts and spinning it from the back
What?
I have a 2016 Mercedes-Benz can you that on this car
What do you do if after replacing the electronic parking brake actuator the dash is reading fault, how do you reset it, is a scan tool the only way at that point? (as I was doing my breaks the actuator plastic fractured at the screw point, so I drove it a few days without the parking brake actuator being on which of course gave me a fault light. However when I received the actuator and installed it, the fault light on dash did not turn off)
Have you tried running it through a cycle by applying the parking brake? Try to unplug the actuator and plug it back in. If that doesn't work you may have to have it reset
Also, try disconnecting the negative end on the battery for 10 minutes. It should reset everything, including codes
@@andrewmclaren858 This is something I would NOT do on the Atlas or any VW. You really don't want the system to be reset in this way if you can avoid it or you may end up with a bunch of DTCs.
I accidentally engaged parking break and the piston came off completely. What to do?
I have replaced both actuators and just had this towed as it got stuck in the on position after replacing the brakes and both actuators as it got stuck previously too. I now have the the wires disconnected, but anyone have info into what happened during the brake change months ago? And what I should replace?
Is it the parking brake stuck or the calipers?
@@danthebrakeman no it's the parking brake. I have wound them back and disconnected the wiring for the ebrake. My thought is that I need a stronger scan tool than my $140 one to reset it?
Also, I have done this on three other vehicles with the electronic braking system, but this one seems to be giving me trouble. And I could use some help on it.
Does the piston have notches in it?
My pads had nowhere for the caliper piston to "notch" onto, so I didn't worry about trying to line anything up.
my niece has a 2019 vw atlas if this works as you show dont you have to turn the parking brake back in after you install the new brake pads
No if you twist the spline drive in as showed in the video the only thing you must do after the repair is complete is turn the e brake on to set it back to where it needs to be.
So basically after the brake job is complete, put actuator back on, pump brakes a few times to build pressure, then activate e-brake?
Exactly, @@brentbrown9728 .
I just did my wifes breaks, its a 2018 vw Tiguan, all went well no issues, but when i drive it and hit the breaks i hear a horrible grinding sound coming from the rear breaks?
You didn't do something right. I would take it back apart and check for missing parts or something rubbing somewhere
Was a brake pad on backwards??
Awesome
THANKS VERY MUCH BEEN A MECH 50 YEARS AND THIS IS BULLSHIT
I do this with my Volvo the third time now and it Just works.
Thank you for the tip
I didn’t pay attention and the piston nearly fell out now it won’t stop spinning the other way did I break it? 😂
I used the Ancel BD500 which I bought on Amazon for under $80.
I used my hands and few tools for $0 those cheap scanners don't work for every car.
Another useless system. What was wrong with a handle pulling a cable to engage the parking brake?
cable snaps after wear and tear.
Manual Ebrake:Cable snaps after wear and tear, RARELY. If it does happen, easy to repair
Electronic Ebrake: actuator fails, dashboard throws codes, housing cracks, etc!!!
I hate these new cars and all their bells and whistles. They drive up MSRP’s and repair bills. Just give me all mechanical, two knobs on the radio and two slide levels on the HVAC.