How to compress rear brake caliper

[turdzi]

Hello,
I have a question regarding compressing brake piston at the back.
Is it a proper way of doing it. Som use a special tool and twist turn, som other just press it. Why ?

[ssanderson1]

I believe the "proper" way to retract the e-brake piston is to use a tool like OBD-11. However, you can remove the piston cover and manually turn/retract the piston if needed.

[z_wrecker]

Easiest way is by using obd11 tool. These cars chew through rear brakes it’s a worthy investment


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[SHCKR]

OBD11 x3

[turdzi]

Well I didn't ment E brake thats obvious that is has to be done with VAG com or OBD U ment compressing piston afterwords to make room for new pads.

[turdzi]

So I've done some research and it looks like that after EPB is retracted via OBD11 or similar piston simply kan be pushed back without winding or turning. Is it correct or you risking damaging something?
Looks like you kan use screwdriver like this guy here

[z_wrecker]

I have a piston retraction kit that twists and pushes back. That’s what I used. I think you can just push it back


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[RoverJoe]

The only reason you need to turn to retract is on mechanical e-brake systems that are built in. Since yours is electric and retracted with a scan tool, you can push it straight in using whatever method you feel safe with, I use a large C clamp usually with everything still assembled, just place it right over the caliper and it will usually very smoothly push it back to full open, then you can unbolt it and swap pads with minimal fuss.

[SHCKR]

You won't even have to push it in. When fully retracted via OBD11 it opens the caliper completely.

[RoverJoe]

It retracts the mechanical side of the ebrake, but it doesn't pull the hydraulic piston back away from the rotor, or at least it shouldn't.

[Bobby Kinstle]

I did my rear brakes last weekend. Just pushed the piston back in with my caliper tool. It's not like the old models that you had to turn the piston while putting it in. I had that on my B5 and it was terrible. Ever since they went to the electric parking brake you just retract with the software, open the caliper, and then use the software to close it again. In fact you can push the caliper piston most of the way back with just your hands. Make sure you unscrew the cap on your brake fluid reservoir and put some towels around the cap in case the fluid overflows (mine didn't this time).

[RoverJoe]

That's why you never top off your brake fluid, as you push them back, it should only move the fluid back to the correct level in the reservoir if you haven't added fluid to it. If you are having to add brake fluid, you either have a leak or worn brakes, but the system should remain sealed unless you are changing fluid, even opening the cap exposes the fluid to moisture in the air, which it will absorb, and degrade the performance of the fluid. Leave it alone unless you are flushing the system, which for a normal service I find also unnecessary but to each his own, most manufacturers say to change it every few years for the moisture absorption from normal exposure.