Rear brakes on a 2011 vauxhall astra

[Mick the mechanic]

A friend has asked me to replace his pads & discs on his 2011 Vauxhall astra,Fronts will be no problem but the rears have a electric handbrake,is putting the calipers into safe servicing mode possible or is it done via a laptop via a garage?

[Deleted]

I know you advise it is a Vauxhall Astra 2011 but before I can give any advice I would prefer an engine code, petrol or diesel or multi-fuel full registration number so I can properly identify the car . I would not like to provide the wrong advice and then cause you problems

[critch]

You are suppouse to put it in service mode and in retracts the calipers slightly and then readjusts when you re click

But I've seen other mechanics replace them by just leaving hand brake off and have no problems afterwards

[Mick the mechanic]

Sept 2, 2014 21:00:59 GMT 1 critch said:

You are suppouse to put it in service mode and in retracts the calipers slightly and then readjusts when you re click

But I've seen other mechanics replace them by just leaving hand brake off and have no problems afterwards

Do you know how you put it into service mode?

[critch]

Need a diagnostic tool capable of doing it.

[Mick the mechanic]

Nice one,thanks for the information.

[Mick the mechanic]

I replaced the front & rear disc's & pads today,i didnt need any diagnostic gear,to put the handbrake system into "Service mode" i did the following(it maybe of use to anybody else doing this job):-

1. Ignition on.
2. Place & hold foot onto footbrake.
3. hold handbrake button down for 5 seconds until amber light & a spanner symbol comes on to the dash display.
4. release handbrake switch then press switch down again.
5. release foot off footbrake & turn off the ignition.
When you do step 4 you should hear the motor work & the handbrake cables will go slack.

6. release cables from handbrake levers on calipers.

Then fit the disc & pads & wind the piston back as you normally would,remember to apply the footbrake a few times before you re-attach the cables.

When its all back together just put the ignition on & operate the handbrake switch & all is reset back to normal.

This system has a electric switch & motor but still uses normal cables & calipers.

*please note this is the procedure i got off a vauxhall website & it worked for me but if your not sure about following this procedure then i suggest you seek advice from a qualified garage*

[Roverman]

You say when its all back together turn the ign on, at what stage did you turn the ign off

thanks vaux

[Karl]

Not vauxhall : but on early ford C max / focus


You need to make sure the foot pedal is pressed a few times before operating the handbrake or else the motor continues to run and screws itself up

[Rhubarb]

Sept 7, 2014 16:39:19 GMT 1 Mick the mechanic said:

I replaced the front & rear disc's & pads today,i didnt need any diagnostic gear,to put the handbrake system into "Service mode" i did the following(it maybe of use to anybody else doing this job):-

1. Ignition on.
2. Place & hold foot onto footbrake.
3. hold handbrake button down for 5 seconds until amber light & a spanner symbol comes on to the dash display.
4. release handbrake switch then press switch down again.
5. release foot off footbrake.
When you do step 4 you should hear the motor work & the handbrake cables will go slack.

6. release cables from handbrake levers on calipers.

Then fit the disc & pads & wind the piston back as you normally would.

When its all back together just put the ignition on & operate the handbrake switch & all is reset back to normal.

This system has a electric switch & motor but still uses normal cables & calipers.

I don't like the sound of this at all and I wouldn't recommend anyone doing it this way without the use of a scanner or Vauxhall software to reset and set up the correct piston clearance after fitting new brake pads.

[Deleted]

Sept 9, 2014 22:21:29 GMT 1 Rhubarb said:

Sept 7, 2014 16:39:19 GMT 1 Mick the mechanic said:

I replaced the front & rear disc's & pads today,i didnt need any diagnostic gear,to put the handbrake system into "Service mode" i did the following(it maybe of use to anybody else doing this job):-

1. Ignition on.
2. Place & hold foot onto footbrake.
3. hold handbrake button down for 5 seconds until amber light & a spanner symbol comes on to the dash display.
4. release handbrake switch then press switch down again.
5. release foot off footbrake.
When you do step 4 you should hear the motor work & the handbrake cables will go slack.

6. release cables from handbrake levers on calipers.

Then fit the disc & pads & wind the piston back as you normally would.

When its all back together just put the ignition on & operate the handbrake switch & all is reset back to normal.

This system has a electric switch & motor but still uses normal cables & calipers.

I don't like the sound of this at all and I wouldn't recommend anyone doing it this way without the use of a scanner or Vauxhall software to reset and set up the correct piston clearance after fitting new brake pads.

[Deleted]

thats on vauxhall tis , yes switch the ignition off or else.

[Mick the mechanic]

Whats wrong with doing it this way Rubarb?......the calipers are just normal calipers with handbrake cables attached,the electric side of it is a switch & a motor to control the cables,its not a fully electric handbrake like on Audi's etc,i set the piston gap as normal when i fitted the new pads(making sure the handbrake lever on the caliper was on its stop) i should have said in my previous post that the footbrake was applied a few times after the calipers were fitted then the cables were re-fitted & then handbrake applied. I just posted the procedure we followed as i thought it may help other people.

[Mick the mechanic]

Sept 9, 2014 20:08:14 GMT 1 Roverman said:

You say when its all back together turn the ign on, at what stage did you turn the ign off

thanks vaux

After step 5.....sorry.

[Rhubarb]

Sept 10, 2014 19:21:16 GMT 1 Mick the mechanic said:

Whats wrong with doing it this way Rubarb?......the calipers are just normal calipers with handbrake cables attached,the electric side of it is a switch & a motor to control the cables,its not a fully electric handbrake like on Audi's etc,i set the piston gap as normal when i fitted the new pads(making sure the handbrake lever on the caliper was on its stop) i should have said in my previous post that the footbrake was applied a few times after the calipers were fitted then the cables were re-fitted & then handbrake applied. I just posted the procedure we followed as i thought it may help other people.

I thought it was fully electronic, now you've described is as above that sounds fine