[bsstrand]

Hi guys,

I've got a 2017 Mazda3 with the EPB. What was supposed to be a routine brake pad change is turning into a nightmare, and I'm hoping I can find some help. TL;DR: I cannot get the rear pistons to compress.

Here's what I've done so far:

1) removed calipers
2) attempt to compress pistons
2.5) actually read some process, and set EPB into test mode
3) attempted to compress pistons - Pushing straight in, not spinning, with and without the bleeder valves open
4) get frustrated, call Mazda Service Dept, wait for a call back (They didn't call back)
5) think to myself "Maybe I need to try resetting EPB" - I pulled it out of test mode, and the pistons have fully extended
6) attempt to retract again, no luck. I've attached a pic, as you can see, those puppies are fully extended...

Am I screwed here? Do I need to have the poor thing towed to a dealer to fix?!

Any help y'all can offer would be greatly appreciated.

 

[arathol]

Don't push them straight in. Turn them in. There is an electric motor inside that turns a screw that retracts the piston in maintenance mode. When you exited maintenance mode the motor just kept turning because there were no pads inside to stop it, and the threads may have disengaged from the piston. You might be able to get it back into place turning it by hand and pushing in with maintenance mode disengaged. You should not have to open the bleeder valves to replace the pads. That just further complicates matters.....

 

[PaulKim]

Make sure you bleed the brakes too since you opened them.

 

[Sprocket_mzzoom]

Did The video help you out?

 

[bsstrand]

Did The video help you out?

Here's the vid that did it for me. Ended up having to take off the EPB motors as shown in the vid. Next time I know to set the EPB into maintenance mode BEFORE I get the calipers off.

Thank you guys for the help!

 

[fleetfoot15]

I also ran into the issue where my piston wouldn't compress even after putting the car into maintenance mode. I tried removing the EPB actuator when my piston was stuck, but had issues with removing the EPB bolts. I stripped one very badly (it looked like a T30 torx to me), and started looking for other options. Eventually I left the piston compression tool in the caliper, and tried putting the car in maintenance mode again. Everything was the same as the first time, but this time the piston was very easy to move. Not sure why it took twice. I don't recommend trying to remove the EPB actuator.