BarryT

The rear brakes have the electronic parking brake motor on the caliper. You can use VCDS to retract it or take the motor off of the caliper and use a torx to turn the screw and retract the brake. You’ll need to push the piston in too. The fronts were easy.

mikus

well I definitely overthought that job, super easy with no surprises. Wide chisel for sure to push pistons. thanks again MurrayA4 and general internet community

MurrayA4

Yes the Brembo design is the best, and I've worked on most of the other systems.All you have to do is keep those pins and contact surfaces clean and lubed and they're pretty much trouble free, which is kind of a good thing for a braking system.Don't forget to keep the brake fluid reasonably fresh.

m1964

Read somewhere it was not safe to do- even that the first time rear pads were changed on out=r Q5, that was the method the mechanic used since he did not have Audi-specific tool.

A lot easier to buy a cheap "tool" to retract the calipers, VCDS is not necessary just for the brake job.

Warhead

It may not be a necessary tool, but it adds to the list why you or someone close to you should own one.