Please help - Rear Brake Pads - How to Retract the Caliper Piston

-JP-

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So I assume if you just turn the rear caliper piston in with a tool like this (with the e-brake off) you risk damaging the e-brake or the caliper itself? I did it this way once with no issues but if it might cause problems I'll use the method above going forward. Picture is from this thread but I did the same thing https://www.civicx.com/threads/i-replaced-my-pads-and-my-rotors.14898/

20170828_173338-jpg.jpg
I'm on my 4th set of rear pads since I track frequently. I picked up this tool and did the same grinding. I have not needed to remove the ebake actuator. Rotate the piston clockwise until it stops and will provide you enough clearance to install new pads and attach caliper.
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So I went ahead and purchased the Autel AP200 figuring I could at least still use it with my 2007 Odyssey or kids' 2012 and 2013 Civics. I just tested it with my 2017 CTR and the EPB function does indeed work! I could hear it fully disengaging the EPB and then I was able to reengage it. It's not time to replace my rear brakes yet, but I'm glad to know that it'll work when the time arises. $52.77 well spent!
 

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So I went ahead and purchased the Autel AP200 figuring I could at least still use it with my 2007 Odyssey or kids' 2012 and 2013 Civics. I just tested it with my 2017 CTR and the EPB function does indeed work! I could hear it fully disengaging the EPB and then I was able to reengage it. It's not time to replace my rear brakes yet, but I'm glad to know that it'll work when the time arises. $52.77 well spent!
Thanks, much better option then forcing them back with a metal tool. I dont have faith in these phone ap.things . Thanks for verifying it works. Ill give it a shot.
 

spyder57

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So I went ahead and purchased the Autel AP200 figuring I could at least still use it with my 2007 Odyssey or kids' 2012 and 2013 Civics. I just tested it with my 2017 CTR and the EPB function does indeed work! I could hear it fully disengaging the EPB and then I was able to reengage it. It's not time to replace my rear brakes yet, but I'm glad to know that it'll work when the time arises. $52.77 well spent!
Awesome, thanks for testing this and reporting back!
 

Sil98

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That Autel product appears to be available for $40 on eBay.
 


boxcar

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That Autel product appears to be available for $40 on eBay.
Nice! I got a little too excited with the sale on Amazon the other day and failed to shop around like I normally do.
 
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ems657

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** Full Instructions **

Hello folks,

You guys are super helpful with all the tips and info. I just successfully replaced my rear pads last night, and want to share the step-by-step instruction. I hope you will benefit from this write up. :)

  1. Park the car without engaging the e-brakes. It’s a good idea to choke your front wheels to ensure the car doesn’t move during the project.
  2. Remove the wheel.
  3. There is a metal bracket in front of the caliper. It can be easily removed with a flat head screwdriver.
  4. At the back of the caliper, there are 2 black plastic caps. Pop them open with a flat head screwdriver.
  5. Now use a 7mm hex bit (Amazon link here) to loosen the 2 pins (inside the caps). The brake line actually interferes with the top pin, and there is no room for the ratchet. I used a short extension. Long extension will NOT work due to the location of the strut.
  6. Remove the caliper from the bracket, and you should see the e-brake motor inside of the piston (it looks like a coin with 2 little dots).
  7. Now use this tool (Amazon link here). It’s #6 from the box. Rotate clockwise till you can’t do it anymore. The first turn may be a bit difficult.
  8. Next, use the traditional caliper tool to depress it even further. Yes, this step is necessary. Otherwise, it won’t clear the new pads.
  9. It’s time to insert the new brake pads. Beware – the pad with the wear indicator looks very similar for the driver and passenger side. Please triple check you got the correct one. I made this mistake and had to spent an extra 30 minutes.
  10. Now put the caliper back to its bracket (2 pins + don't forget about the metal bracket).
  11. Put the wheels back on.
  12. I strongly recommend checking the brake fluid level after you finish one wheel. It almost overflew in my case with just one wheel done. Make sure the reservoir has space for the 2nd wheel.
  13. Once you’re done with the 2nd wheel, make sure you don’t have any extra screws or brackets laying around. Check the brake fluid again.
  14. Start the car and press the brake pedal a few times. Also try engage/disengage the e-brake a few times. Remove the choke as well.
  15. I recommend test drive the car in a safe area.
  16. Feel proud and brag about it !!
I drove for 3 miles afterwards, and everything seems normal except a better pedal feel. If I miss something please point it out. :) By the way, I spent almost 2.5 hours in total (I am a seasoned but slow home mechanic)

Cheers,
 

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Nice! I got a little too excited with the sale on Amazon the other day and failed to shop around like I normally do.
Everywhere i looked they were 69.00 even ebay. There were two on ebay for 40 but both were from china and take 2 months to ship. And who knows what you get when they do show up.
 

boxcar

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Everywhere i looked they were 69.00 even ebay. There were two on ebay for 40 but both were from china and take 2 months to ship. And who knows what you get when they do show up.
If you've got an Amazon Prime account, it's $55.96 on Amazon. It's not ebay China cheap, but it's also not $69.
 

Harlaquin

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If you've got an Amazon Prime account, it's $55.96 on Amazon. It's not ebay China cheap, but it's also not $69.
True but I don't have a Amazon account. Not paying 119 a year for free shipping. Not really free is it? I order maybe two things a year from amazon so for me its not worth the membership, I actually save more a year by not having prime as I wouldn't use it. Amazon was geniuses with that. 119 a year for 110 million customers. What that almost 14 billion dollars a year people are paying for "free" shipping.
 


davidgostbo

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True but I don't have a Amazon account. Not paying 119 a year for free shipping. Not really free is it? I order maybe two things a year from amazon so for me its not worth the membership, I actually save more a year by not having prime as I wouldn't use it. Amazon was geniuses with that. 119 a year for 110 million customers. What that almost 14 billion dollars a year people are paying for "free" shipping.
Make a new amazon account, sign up for the free trial of amazon prime. Buy item. Cancel after you make purchase :headbang:
 

mecheng32

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I just got my Autel ap200 today and was also successful in putting the car into rear brake maintenance mode. You can physically hear the piston retracting. Once you’re done with the brake job, you put it back to normal mode and turn the car off and on. Make sure you’re on level ground and the e brake is off, and your foot off the brake.
 

Sil98

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Everywhere i looked they were 69.00 even ebay. There were two on ebay for 40 but both were from china and take 2 months to ship. And who knows what you get when they do show up.
It's even worse when the "seller" is:

"No longer a registered user"

The "seller" sent an email claiming the item had been delivered when it had not been (despite their China Post "tracking". Now i get to dispute the charge with eBay and my credit card.
 

mecheng32

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It's even worse when the "seller" is:

"No longer a registered user"

The "seller" sent an email claiming the item had been delivered when it had not been (despite their China Post "tracking". Now i get to dispute the charge with eBay and my credit card.
I don’t know why you guys bother with eBay for a $20 savings. I ordered mine on amazon same day at 6:30am and it arrived the same day by 5:45pm. Seems worth the extra $20 for speedy delivery and no hassle.
 

Harlaquin

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I don’t know why you guys bother with eBay for a $20 savings. I ordered mine on amazon same day at 6:30am and it arrived the same day by 5:45pm. Seems worth the extra $20 for speedy delivery and no hassle.
same here, sometimes...well most times, when everywhere else on the planet sells it for x price and there is that one guy selling it for cheaper... yeah dont buy from the cheaper guy hes the only one for a reason.

But I got mine and I changed my brakes , literally took 20 mins a side after setting up the app and all. use app and dongle to retract actuator (once retracted still need to push in piston like on front not that pin is out of way) slap pads on use app to put ebrake back to normal position and done. I know some on here manually twist and force the pin and actuator back I just feel for the extra few mins to do the app and not using mechanical force to force the piston back is in all likely hood better for the brakes. spend the extra and do it the right way I say. plus the dongle bluetooth thing has a gazillion features and can reset errors and minders and checks lots of sensors. it has many features for the money. I made a video Ill edit and post soon on using it. But literally once wheel is off its app... 10 seconds to retract ebrake, 2 allen bolts, calipers off, push in piston, slap new pads on.. literally they just hang on a hook takes 2 seconds. slide caliper back over put both allen screws in and done. not counting wheel it takes honestly 10 mins to change the brakes if that. easiest brakes I ever changed and the fronts... 2 pins and a spring and your done. it honestly takes longer to take the wheel off then change the pads. These dealers charging 300.00 to 400.00 should be ashamed. I could do your whole brake job, all 4 wheels in less than 45 mins.
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