Land Rover Rear Brake Job? Don't Break the EPB Caliper! Guide

You decided to save $400 by changing the rear brake pads on your Discovery 4 or Range Rover Sport yourself. You have the jack, the wrench, and the new pads.

But when you try to push the caliper piston back to fit the new pads, it won't budge. You grab a C-clamp and apply more force. Suddenly—CRACK.

Congratulations, you just destroyed the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) actuator. What was supposed to be a $50 job just turned into a $600 repair bill.

Modern Land Rovers don't use simple hydraulic brakes anymore. They use computers. In this guide, we'll show you how to use the iCarsoft LR V4.0 to safely retract your brakes electronically, so you can change your pads without breaking anything.

Why You Can't Just "Push It Back"

The rear caliper has an electric motor attached to it. This motor screws a mechanism tight to hold the car when parked. If you force the piston back, you are fighting against a metal screw thread. The plastic gears inside the motor will shatter.

Step-by-Step: Using EPB Service Mode

Step 1: Enter "Service Mode" (Before Disassembly)

Park the car on a flat surface. Chock the front wheels. Release the parking brake manually inside the car so the dashboard light is OFF.

1. Plug in your iCarsoft LR V4.0.
2. Select Service > EPB (Electronic Parking Brake) > Land Rover.
3. Choose "Brake Pad Replacement" or "Mounting Position".
4. The tool will command the motors to retract. You will actually hear the motors whirring at the rear wheels for a few seconds.
5. The dashboard may flash a message like "Park Brake Maintenance Mode".

Step 2: Change the Pads

Now that the electronic screw is retracted, you can safely push the hydraulic piston back using a standard tool. It should move easily. Swap out your old pads and sensors for new ones.

Step 3: Exit "Service Mode" (Calibration)

Once the wheels are back on:

1. Go back to the iCarsoft LR V4.0 menu.
2. Select "Latching Position" or "Exit Maintenance Mode".
3. The motors will whir again as they extend to touch the new, thicker pads.
4. The tool will calibrate the new gap automatically.

What If My EPB is Already Stuck? (Screeching Noise)

If you already have a parking brake fault (often accompanied by a loud screeching noise when you park), the module might be "jammed."

Use the iCarsoft LR V4.0 to read the EPB Fault Codes.
Code C1A43: Often means the motor is jammed or the latching force failed. You can try the "Unjam" procedure in the special functions menu, which rapidly cycles the motor to free it.