V70: Wheels/Brakes How to: Manual EPB removal/wind off

[I-S]

So, lots of people have asked this question. Here's a picture guide to removing the EPB and winding off the parking brake manually (ie using hands and tools, not using VIDA or an electronic EPB tool).

So, here's the EPB mech on the back of the caliper:



Unplug the connector (easier said then done... Push a screwdriver into the side of the connector where the clip is, perpendicular to the way it pulls out, that will release it):



Now remove the caliper from the carrier in the normal way (13mm socket, hold the slider pins with a 15mm spanner):



Now if you turn the caliper and look at the back, where the EPB mech is, you'll see it's connected with two Torx T30 bolts:





Undo these. They will be quite stiff, and seem rather subject to corrosion, so I recommend replacing them with new ones (p/n 30742941).

You won't be able to undo them with a T30 bit on a socket set, you will need a specific T30 driver:





Once you have removed the EPB mech, the back of the caliper looks like this:



This is the spline that drives the pad onto the disc. Simply wind it clockwise as you look at it from this view. The interface is a spline (someone else here said it was XZN8) - however, a Torx T40 will go into it and it takes VERY little effort to turn so you will not damage anything. It takes a lot of turns to wind it all the way back (depending on your pad wear of course - mine were down to about 4-5 mm).

Refitting is the reverse of removal. Once all back together (caliper, pads and all) simply actuate the EPB as normal and you'll hear it take longer than normal to wind on. Then take it off and back on and it should sound normal.

[tt82]

Thanks for the fantastic guide Issac. Will be putting it to good use later this year.

[MartinK]

Awesome - thanks for taking the time...this should be put in "Articles"...

EDIT - just seen it already is. Thanks for posting

[pierremcalpine]

Thanks for taking the time to put this together! I think mine will be due within 6-9 months so your timing is perfect! Well done.

[KBB]

Another quick workshop trick is to connect a battery or power pack directly to the EPB connector and allow it electrically to unwind, takes only a few seconds. Simply reverse the connection after pad change for winding back into park position.

[pierremcalpine]

Originally Posted by KBB

Another quick workshop trick is to connect a battery or power pack directly to the EPB connector and allow it electrically to unwind, takes only a few seconds. Simply reverse the connection after pad change for winding back into park position.

I'm curious about this option:
A) how do you figure out which side to connect to (+) and which side to connect to (-) for unwinding vs winding
B) is is really necessary to wind back up at the end or will this happen anyway the next time you activate it normally?

[pierremcalpine]

Originally Posted by KBB

Another quick workshop trick is to connect a battery or power pack directly to the EPB connector and allow it electrically to unwind, takes only a few seconds. Simply reverse the connection after pad change for winding back into park position.

I'm about to do my rear pads - has anyone been able to confirm that connecting a 12V power source to the two EPB connectors works to retract the EPB? I'm guessing it does but I'd prefer to know before a shortcut becomes a long cut...

[cdp8]

I followed the instructions closely. Had to run to the store for a bigger Torx bit to get the rotors off, but other than that, everything went smoothly. The only thing I did differently was I did not disconnect the electrical connectors from the EPB unit. That step was not mentioned in the instructions that came with the Volvo OEM pads.

So everything is back together and I start the car. I pump the brake pedal a few times; it feels fine. I engage and disengage the EPB a few time and I see two warnings: parking brake not fully retracted and parking brake service. I car hear the EPB working and it sounds normal. I take the car on a brief drive the hydraulic brakes work fine, but the car is beeping incessantly about the parking brake not fully retracted.

Any ideas on what I did wrong? Should I remove and replace the EPBunit again and hope it resets itself? Buy a vida/dice unit? Take it to a Volvo mechanic and spend the money?

Is it safe to drive?

[macs]

Originally Posted by cdp8

I followed the instructions closely. Had to run to the store for a bigger Torx bit to get the rotors off, but other than that, everything went smoothly. The only thing I did differently was I did not disconnect the electrical connectors from the EPB unit. That step was not mentioned in the instructions that came with the Volvo OEM pads.

So everything is back together and I start the car. I pump the brake pedal a few times; it feels fine. I engage and disengage the EPB a few time and I see two warnings: parking brake not fully retracted and parking brake service. I car hear the EPB working and it sounds normal. I take the car on a brief drive the hydraulic brakes work fine, but the car is beeping incessantly about the parking brake not fully retracted.

Any ideas on what I did wrong? Should I remove and replace the EPBunit again and hope it resets itself? Buy a vida/dice unit? Take it to a Volvo mechanic and spend the money?

Is it safe to drive?

Had the same problem. The motor on one wheel wasn't winding. I also did not unplug the connector before replacing the pads. I repeated the procedure with the electrics unplugged this time and it was ok after that.
Try disconnecting the plug and re-connect it, it may sort it.

[cdp8]

Originally Posted by macs

Had the same problem. The motor on one wheel wasn't winding. I also did not unplug the connector before replacing the pads. I repeated the procedure with the electrics unplugged this time and it was ok after that.
Try disconnecting the plug and re-connect it, it may sort it.

Thank you very much for the fast response. I will go try that.