Hi, everyone. I'm just about to start on replacing the rear brake pads, which are worn down to MoT advisory level after only 36000 miles (!). Obviously, with no workshop manual available most of my preparation has been from the Net. Some people seem to think that I need to be able to wind the pistons back into the cylinders with a special tool, but it's not clear whether that applied to cars with the dreaded electric parking brake.

I don't want to spend a lot on special tools which I k=might use twice!

Can anyone clarify this situation?

Thanks (I hope).

When my local non Ford garage tried to do mine, I got a call a few hours later saying they couldn't because they didn't have the tool and didn't want to spend £1000 buying it from Ford.

My car has the electric parking brake so I suspect that the tool is specifically for that and not for normal pads....but I am no expert.

there are no special tools needed, it can be done with the car by following these instructions

Service mode activation.

1. 
   Release the electronic parking
   brake.
2. 
   Turn the ignition switch to position
   II.
   1. 
      Fully depress and hold down the accelerator
      pedal.
      
      1. 
         Press and hold down the parking brake
         switch.

1. 
   Turn the ignition switch to position
   0.

1. 
   Turn the ignition switch to position II within five seconds
   of completing sub-step 4.

1. 
   Wait until the EPB has fully reloaded.

1. 
   Turn the ignition switch to position
   0.

1. 
   Release the accelerator pedal.

1. 
   Release the parking brake
   switch.

Service mode deactivation.

1. 
   Turn the ignition switch to position
   II.

1. 
   Fully depress and hold down the accelerator
   pedal.

1. 
   Lift up and hold up the parking brake
   switch.

1. 
   Turn the ignition switch to position
   0.

1. 
   Turn the ignition switch to position II within five seconds
   of completing sub-step 4.

1. 
   Wait until the EPB has fully applied.

1. 
   Turn the ignition switch to position
   0.

1. 
   Release the accelerator pedal.

1. 
   Release the parking brake
   switch.

I've just been told that our car needs the rear brake pads replacing (90% worm) at 40k miles, so this is obviously a weakness in the design. We do have the hill start assist which will obviously have an effect on pad wear.

Has anyone done this, and if so how easy is it. After 25 or so years of maintaining my own cars I begrudge paying £120 to a garage to do a job I could do for £25 (cost of pads) plus a few hours work like it used to be. But if it a whole weekends job for a DIY'er like me without special tools and knowledge, then I'll won;t bother.

Any advice would be welcome.

Cheers,

Andy