Changing rear Discs & Pads

Good morning all.

The rear discs on my 2013 Discovery 4 TDV6 3ltr are no longer looking they're best, plan is to replace the discs and fit new pad's (plus check & clean the parking brake).
Have done a fair bit of towing a big twin axle caravan with it without the slightest braking problem.
I have always had proper servicing carried out at a well known independent garage, but intend to do this myself, and quite confident with it.
My query is, I believe never having had any warnings at all from the pad sensors it is not necessary to replace the rear sensor cable, because it hasn't been "triggered"; is that correct.
Also is there any need for the maintenance system to be updated.

Any help is much appreciated.

Mind the sensors.. be very gentle

I've never had to replace discs on a car, though in sure the time will come! Are the calipers nice and free? If it were me I'd take them off and give them a good clean while i was working in the area. When was the brake fluid last changed?

Hi Kermit
Me neither, but watching plenty of "how - to" video clips it seem's straight forward enough, spent years doing plenty of fiddly spanner work so not phased by the task. Never had the callipers off but with a good squirt of penetrant and the correct tools they should be ok. Am planning to clean and paint the callipers (calliper heat resistant paint) for good measure. Not 100% sure about the brake fluid, I seem to think a couple of years back as part of a big service, have to check with the garage or my past receipts. Having not done that before I might leave that one for the guys wo do my MOT & servicing.
I was mainly querying whether or not the sensor cable "needs" to be replaced, never having be activated.

The pad sensors are just plastic things that slip in to recesses in the pad material. They're incredibly fragile, so handle them carefully. Very crude but effective at the job they do.

The EPB shoes will need backing off slightly, before the discs will come of, this is after the Torx retainer bolts are removed.

Look for the Brake Bible that was written by Bodsey IIRC. This explains how to change the brakes on the D3/4.

Nodge68 said:

Look for the Brake Bible that was written by Bodsey IIRC. This explains how to change the brakes on the D3/4.

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+1 this is a great guide ,plus the powrerfuluk boys did a youtube vid on how to, the two together are pretty good, I would recommend getting new sensors they are only a few quid, but the chances are the old ones will break as you remove them.

Plus you should follow the EPB reset guide if you are fitting new disks.

Cheers

Hello Nodge68.
Thanks for your great reply, I have seen excerpts from Bodsey a while ago so will have a look for it.
Do you mean releasing the EPB shoes using the adjuster or actually releasing the EPB via the switch one the rear wheels are "airborne" and axle stands in place ?.
Its only the rear discs & pads being changed, front is fine, but swapping out the front lower tie-rod end ball joints first.
Is the EPB set up in the service manual or from Bodsey ?
Probably get a rear sensor as well then, Oh! does any of this work require "Programing".
Thanks in advance
Cheers

micknkazzyfonce said:

Do you mean releasing the EPB shoes using the adjuster or actually releasing the EPB via the switch one the rear wheels are "airborne" and axle stands in place ?.

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The EPB needs to be off (released from the switch), then the shoes need backing off with the adjusters.

micknkazzyfonce said:

Its only the rear discs & pads being changed, front is fine

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Strangely the rears do seem to wear faster than the front, this is also the same for the FL2.

micknkazzyfonce said:

but swapping out the front lower tie-rod end ball joints first.

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Those are a PITA.

micknkazzyfonce said:

Is the EPB set up in the service manual or from Bodsey ?

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It's mechanical, so the Bible shows you how.

micknkazzyfonce said:

Oh! does any of this work require "Programing".

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No programming required, just put the EPB in bed in mode.

Nodge68, many thanks for spending time to reply to my query, all made completely clear.
Saved and had a good read through Bodsey's last night, and as you say, it really is very straight forward and points you to potential pitfalls to avoid.
Discs etc arriving today, so just need a good weather day.
Thanks again for you help, much appreciated.
Mick