rear brake pad replacement

t4ure4n · 12-05-2019, 04:32 PM

This may be a dumb question but i am going to ask anyway hoping someone can guide me.

I am getting the rear brake pads replaced on my 2016 BMW x3 xdrive F25
Someone suggested that since the car has electronic hand break i will have to use a software to wind/unwind the electronic break actuator or something like that.
My friend will be doing the change of pads for me and he said he can do it manually without using any software. I found this video which shows the manual process

Code:

Is is really necessary to use the software or is it safe to go ahead get it done with this manual process?

BTW, I have a copy of Rheingold software which I have used before to clear error codes etc. Please advise me if this is needed. Is there are video tutorial which i can follow.

rahdigga165 · 12-05-2019, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t4ure4n

This may be a dumb question but i am going to ask anyway hoping someone can guide me.

I am getting the rear brake pads replaced on my 2016 BMW x3 xdrive F25
Someone suggested that since the car has electronic hand break i will have to use a software to wind/unwind the electronic break actuator or something like that.
My friend will be doing the change of pads for me and he said he can do it manually without using any software. I found this video which shows the manual process

Code:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOubDKjnqak

Is is really necessary to use the software or is it safe to go ahead get it done with this manual process?

BTW, I have a copy of Rheingold software which have used before to clear error codes etc. Please advise me this is needed. Is there are video tutorial which i can follow.

My mechanic used a car battery..all he did was reversed the polarity..maybe not the smartest way to do it, but it has worked for the past 3 brake pad changes. There is a way to manually do it by removing the actuator and winding it manually.
Good luck..

t4ure4n · 12-06-2019, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rahdigga165

My mechanic used a car battery..all he did was reversed the polarity..maybe not the smartest way to do it, but it has worked for the past 3 brake pad changes. There is a way to manually do it by removing the actuator and winding it manually.
Good luck..

Thanks for the advice.

Breach · 12-07-2019, 01:31 PM

With ISTA (Rheingold)/3rd party tool, it's way safer and takes seconds. If you have a working Rheingold installation just connect to the car and find the EMF workshop mode service function.

Failing that, yes, it's possible to do it manually. The usual method is to open the actuator and wind it back with a torx bit, as shown in the video.

I think it's also possible to do it from the piston-side, but I wouldn't risk it.

Note that if you have to remove the plug connection you need to do it with ignition off and then wait a couple of minutes (otherwise you risking shorting the motor). Then again, I see people using a direct battery connection... ;-)

12-05-2019, 04:32 PM	#1
t4ure4n Private First Class 31 Rep 120 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW X3 xdrive 20d Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: London iTrader: (0)	This may be a dumb question but i am going to ask anyway hoping someone can guide me. I am getting the rear brake pads replaced on my 2016 BMW x3 xdrive F25 Someone suggested that since the car has electronic hand break i will have to use a software to wind/unwind the electronic break actuator or something like that. My friend will be doing the change of pads for me and he said he can do it manually without using any software. I found this video which shows the manual process Code: Is is really necessary to use the software or is it safe to go ahead get it done with this manual process? BTW, I have a copy of Rheingold software which I have used before to clear error codes etc. Please advise me if this is needed. Is there are video tutorial which i can follow.
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12-07-2019, 01:31 PM	#4
Breach First Lieutenant 80 Rep 373 Posts Drives: F10 520dA M Sport Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: EU iTrader: (0)	With ISTA (Rheingold)/3rd party tool, it's way safer and takes seconds. If you have a working Rheingold installation just connect to the car and find the EMF workshop mode service function. Failing that, yes, it's possible to do it manually. The usual method is to open the actuator and wind it back with a torx bit, as shown in the video. I think it's also possible to do it from the piston-side, but I wouldn't risk it. Note that if you have to remove the plug connection you need to do it with ignition off and then wait a couple of minutes (otherwise you risking shorting the motor). Then again, I see people using a direct battery connection... ;-)
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