JoeMurphy22

So I might have really F-ed up. I used the tool that you rent from Autozone to twist the caliper back in. I did nothing with the Electronic Parking Brake. I did not know it was required until after. This is a 2015 Q5 Premium. It does have a EPB right? Did I ruin anything? I have yet to do the other side. Thanks in advance for any help!!!

uberwgn

Yes, it has the electronic parking brake. It's best to quit while you're ahead . . maybe you'll only have to replace one caliper instead of two, Joe.

Most of us will use the VCDS tool to retract the piston in the caliper and make life pretty simple. That is the intended procedure.

JoeMurphy22

Thanks for the advice. So then I think I will put the car back together as is and drive it (slowly) down the street to the shop and have them check it out and probably replace the caliper I likely broke.

uberwgn

Did you hear something go snap?

JoeMurphy22

No I didn't hear anything snap. It was quite tough to screw the caliper back in, though. But I was able to do it.

uncleiggy

Some BestBuy stores sell (or used to sell) the Carista dongle, it can put the EPB in service mode too, quite handy.

JoeMurphy22

I just drove it and the brakes sound fine, the parking break still works and no lights are coming on. Did I just get lucky? Can anyone tell me how compressing the parking break manually is a problem? Also, I did disconnect the wiring to the EPB, maybe that allowed me to manually compress the caliper?

Bob Petruska

You were probably lucky. You normally damage the EPB caliper motor if you don't retract with VCDS, etc. costs about $600 per motor, plus it has been known to also damage the controller for some reason, another $600. Thus if you do both side wrong, you can have a $1800 bill. VCDS, etc. is much cheaper!

JoeMurphy22

Thanks Bob. Do you know how I would know if I damaged the EPB motor? I don't notice anything different yet. I did one side, but I'm going to take it to my mechanic for the other side, so he can use the computer.

Bob Petruska

I would just jack up that end, I think that you can spin the tire with the trans in neutral. Try it with the EPB on and off, should spin and lock.