2017-18 Mazda 3 Rear Brake Pad Rotor Replacement DIY Tips and Tricks with Electronic Parking Brake

[@disciple15]

Your brake light WILL stay on after you finish, because he forgot to mention an important step AFTER you finish everything. 1. Hold the brake pedal all the way down and hold. 2. Hold the emergency brake knob up and hold. 3. While holding the gas pedal all the way down and holding the emergency brake knob up, Press the ignition button 3 times, then wait for about 30 seconds while STILL pressing the gas pedal all the way to the floor, and holding the emergency brake knob up. This should solve your problem.

[@JPWilson-mo5kj]

Thanks Aaron. I did miss this step and have updated the video with a pin of this info to the top.

[@smallreddoggy]

I think your step 1 means gas pedal.

[@thechauffeur9726]

Brant that's right, just tried that and it worked on my 2018

[@MattLoC84]

Is there any light or indication that you've held it long enough once the 30 seconds passes?

[@disciple15]

@@MattLoC84 It's been a while, but I think you can actually hear the rear brakes re-engaging if you followed the procedure correctly.

[@saurabhsonic]

Really, really good to know that that piston can just be pressed back in, instead of being turned with those notches. Thank you so much for that information! It will make my life so much easier!

[@jakespeed63]

Send a mechanic for a long time and never thought I would have to jump through all these hoops to do a brake job. Thanks for sharing this information with us.

[@JPWilson-mo5kj]

Thanks. Same here. I thought a good vid to make since this is a bit more difficult than most rear brake jobs.

[@disciple15]

I am so glad I watched this video, before changing my rear brakes. I have changed countless brakes, so I thought I didn't need to watch a video, but thought it couldn't hurt.

[@fjp1766]

This video explains the way to put the system onto rear break maintenance mode in a very specific and clear way. I was looking for exactly that at first and then i stayed for the other tips. Very helpful.

[@iko3]

Going to replace the rear rotors on my nephew's car and this video is extremely helpful! Didn't know it was push -in piston and the crappy job Mazda did with the no brake pad shims. Shame on Mazda. Thank you!

[@canuckseven]

Shame indeed. Shame... indeed.

[@WilliamG-l4d]

Great video, I have done hundreds of brake jobs but mostly on older model cars so this was my first rear pad replacement with the E brake. All the tips were great and saved us a ton of time and unnecessary monkey business. Great job! I watched a few of the others and not nearly as good. Really made the job a breeze.

[@JPWilson-mo5kj]

@WilliamG-l4d thank you. Glad I could help

[@jflorance3]

This may be the best brake guide I have ever used. I ended up media blasting the brackets and putting a few coats of caliper paint on them. They were bad enough that the rust had probably caused the brakes to wear out prematurely. I filed down the guides and used Permatex Extreme, but only on the metal. Thanks for the very helpful video.

[@JPWilson-mo5kj]

I'm glad to help. Thanks for the positive feedback!

[@terrycampbell3080]

I agree, this is the best video I have seen, and explaining the procedure for the EPB was what I needed to know, Thank You very much for taking the time to post this great video. @@JPWilson-mo5kj

[@burrdock2]

Thank you so much for all the extra details in this video. First time doing the rear pads/rotors on my wife’s Mazda 3 and hadn’t seen the e-brake trick on other videos or the dots on the pads!! Saved!! Thank you!

[@JPWilson-mo5kj]

Your welcome. Glad it helped

[@11brortiz]

Thank you lol. We been trying to compress the caliper and said let’s KZbin it before we break something. Thanks again brother.

[@JPWilson-mo5kj]

Glad the vid could help

[@RobertForrester_FPV]

Fantastic instructions, I am replacing pads on my mothers car now.

[@mandingo1125]

Nice 👍. Love when people give a great explanation

[@canuckseven]

Excellent pro-tips and tutorial. And, couldn't agree more with the commentary about the lack of SS hardware. What are they thinking?! Probably that this will force people to go pay for brake service at the stealership more often.

[@SlowCarsFastSFV]

Clean thoroughly! Grease well (caliper bracket and brake pad contact points) and be ready to repeat the process regularly. Every six months or so.

[@TahlIsYourPal]

Super helpful tips that I haven’t seen anywhere! Thank you for sharing.

[@JPWilson-mo5kj]

Thank you! Glad I could help.

[@bobgillberg4232]

Great tutorial! I agree Ceramic is the way to go especially in the East Cost even on the brake pads . I don't work for Power Stop but would recommend Power Stop Ceramic Pads to reduce corrosion, noise, and rust. I also put lube the rubber on the piston on the outside surface with a very small amount of brake grease also. Note that my 2017 Mazda 3 required a turn and push to get the caliber piston to go in even with car in maintenance mode. One thing to do also is loosen the brake filler cap and let it sit loose on top of the master cylinder to help with contracting the piston.

[@charlie729]

great vid, very helpful. i'll be grinding and greasing soon! someone mentioned painting the caliper brackets, that might not be a bad idea. thanks for the tips!

[@kameronkennedy9025]

Not sure if this is your car or a customer's, but it would be great to see more Mazda3 content. I'm coming up on 50k and need to start doing some preventative maintenance.

[@JPWilson-mo5kj]

This was a customer of mine. He is a regular so next time it's in ill be sure to make more videos.

[@clintonstephan5134]

You're here for 1:10 to 1:45 Thanks man 🤘

[@shel7135]

Thanks dude what a great video and straight to the point 💯 💯 💯

[@Mrcast001]

This was enormously helpful, thank you 🙏

[@glenncooper2026]

very good info, should have watched this one first!!!! rented tools and everything. just need a bigger c-clamp. thanks for video!!

[@JPWilson-mo5kj]

FYI: Before buying your rear brake parts verify if your Mazda 3 was made in Mexico (VIN starts with a 3) or Japan (VIN starts with a J) There are different brake part options between the 2 assembly plants.

[@toxicreactz023]

Yeah Napa just ran that for me anyone else would of just have you any brakes then your going back to the store thank you for this comment

[@charlie729]

i believe the Japan and Mexico rears with EPB are the same. the fronts definitely are not. I have a mexico 3 and the front brake rotors for japan, which i accidentally bought, are smaller than the mexico front rotors.

[@CB4basser1]

Going through a 2017 Mazda 3 brake job right now and it has been a pain. Definitely look up the parts yourself and know the quirks before calling napa. There is an 11 inch front rotor and 11.5 inch ! Plus got to tell them twice, with or without electric parking brake.

[@vimalpatelnj]

very nice video, great information, thank you for taking the time. I typically do everything you said and use the same lube, but was concerned about the electronic brakes. Did you have to disconnect the battery, after you did the trick from the dash board? Also, after you do the trick to release the electronic brakes, I would assume, to know its released, the rear wheel should spin freely? I believe the rear calipers which spin has a mechanical wire connection. Its good to know this one just presses down, as I was thinking my kit does not have 3 dimple tool, I was thinking about buying one. Thanks again.

[@JPWilson-mo5kj]

Hi Vimal, thank you. You do not have to disconnect the battery. There is a procedure to reactivate the parking brake which unfortunately did not make it to my video. Google reactivate mazda parking brake. It's all done though the start button and parking brake putton.

[@androidfleshbot2854]

Very helpful thanks so much save me a bunch of time 🎉and going to charge my friend like 25 bucks more than I quoted lol

[@markbetterly4660]

Awesome Help ... Thank You! 😊

[@markshellenbarger8879]

Huge help. Thank you

[@T34mech]

They got me with the piston looking like it was a twist. Also, don't go out of maintenance mode if the caliper is not hooked up and the rotor. It will continue to drive the piston and ruin the caliper. I know this video is 3 years old, but hopefully that tip helps someone

[@etiennefrancoeur35]

Excellent explications sir, thanks!

[@TheNDex]

I have a 2017 mazda 3 and turn the car on maintenance mode. I had trouble getting the caliper on so I used a tool to push the pin back. I put everything back together and turn it off maintenance mode. I started my car and I wasn't able to reverse or go forward, got any idea wth happen? Some guy on another forum said he had to do maintenance mode 50-70 times to bring the pin all the way down so he could put it on. Did you have to do this or did you manually brought the pin down?

[@timh.5198]

Hey there. Thanks for this video. Do you know if the electronic brake release procedure needs to be done on a manual transmission? The electronic brake is never engaged unless the switch is pulled up on a manual. Thanks.

[@JPWilson-mo5kj]

Hi Tim yes for the 17+ manual transmissions you also have an electronic parking brake.

[@canuckseven]

@@JPWilson-mo5kj So you have to do the service mode procedure even if the e-brake isn't engaged on a MT car? The fact that it's not engaged and the wheel can freely spin isn't enough on it own?

[@williamroche6064]

Great video!! Thanks for sharing!

[@thomaswatts1734]

Mr Wilson, I did the parking brake maintenance procedure, but accidently pulled up on parking brake. Now my calipers are stuck all the way out. How do I get the calipers back in? I tried the pushing down, but it wont do anything.

[@JPWilson-mo5kj]

You have to do the parking brake motor retraction process first then you can manually push the pistons back in.

[@cobramanphil]

Is this a Mexico or Japan produced Mazda 3? From what I understand the brake hardware is different (i.e pad hardware).

[@JPWilson-mo5kj]

Did this job a bit ago but I believe it was Japan built. Most all the 3s I've seen in the northeast are Japan built. That is a good point as there is a different part number for the Mexico vs Japan pads although I am unsure of the difference.

[@pwrshots]

I guess its the same on the 6. can you squeeze the caliper in (pry it) with a screw driver while in service mode?

[@kms1266]

Thank you ! This super helped . 🍻🍻🍻

[@MrShawnstoyles1]

How do you reverse the brake release proceadure ?

[@gwot]

same thing, but pull the e-brake button up instead of down.

[@SlowCarsFastSFV]

As long as you are in service mode.. you can push in the piston.

[@kameronkennedy9025]

Also you say 18mm box wrench for the caliper bolt but it's 17 on mine. Japan made 2018 GT.

[@ns8013]

It was an 18 on mine, which was made in Mexico.

[@Warmsunset26]

How do you rate COPPER SLIP. As it has copper in it. Thank you.

[@JPWilson-mo5kj]

Copper slip is a good anti seize or anti squeal for old style pads with out anti squeal metal shims. Its not the best lubricant so I prefer permatext purple ceramic over it.

[@kamarbrown6991]

What if the piston it’s pressed all the way out ?

[@Blissfulkitty-Seattle]

Why does the parking brake has to be disengaged in this special way?

[@manuelaguiar2984]

Good Information. Thanks.

[@jessevaldivia58]

I have a 2018 Mazda 3 sport hatch. What specific breaks do I need to get. Can you send me a link? I need to change my rear breaks.

[@JPWilson-mo5kj]

I like the hybrid raybestos element3 pads.

[@alanrubio8077]

How do you compress the piston without the tool you can rent ?

[@disciple15]

Buy a 6 inch C clamp to push the piston in.

[@ns8013]

@@disciple15 I just did this yesterday and used a 6" clamp, worked great. No way I was moving that thing by hand, but it barely took any pressure with the clamp.

[@4075750223]

How important is that parking brake trick in terms of getting the piston to push in

[@JPWilson-mo5kj]

It's very important you won't be able to put new brake pads in as the parking brake motor will push back against you

[@unskillfullymasterful]

i dont have an electronic brake system on mine, but does anyone know if it will look similar to this one?

[@downhillskier7]

You are missing brake hardware kit that is sold separately from Mazda that include brake shims that rust prematurely

[@JPWilson-mo5kj]

Not on this model and caliper type. This is the first rear brake pad change for this vehicle. It did not have any hardware kit from Mazda factory.

[@JD_Aguilar717]

Idk what years it effects. I have a 2014. But when ordering brake pads and/or rotors. You need to know where your Mazda was made. Its either Mexico or Japan. The pads and rotors are different. How can you tell where yours was made? Just look at your vin. If it starts with a J. Then its made in Japan 🇯🇵. If it's a 3. Then its made in Mexico 🇲🇽 .

[@digiride6155]

I'm wondering if it would be worth it to just buy new calipers too. That doubles the cost of parts to do the job but compared to $525 at the dealer I'd still be way ahead. I'm wondering if they'll even do as good a job as you did to make sure everything can move smoothly. What a horrible design.

[@hillbilly23]

I hope this the same for a 2019

[@bobit8742]

mazda suck, why they cheap out on hardware and design stupidly 😅

[@ssrrstuart]

I created a comprehensive written DIY procedure here. Hopefully this is helpful in conjunction with the video. www.mazda3revolution.com/threads/comprehensive-rear-brake-pad-diy-for-2018-mazda3-with-epb.245801/

[@JPWilson-mo5kj]

Thanks for the mention Stuart! Glad this video could be of some help to others.