If you are not familiar with the rear brakes of the Mini Cooper, the emergency brake system is incorporated into the rear brake calipers. To reduce weight and production cost this has become a very popular design. In prior years the E-brake system operated a separate set of small brake shoes which were cable actuated. These small shoes applied pressure to a small brake drum incorporated into the rear brake rotors.

The rear Mini Cooper caliper pistons have an internal screw ratchet that allow the piston to move inward toward the brake rotor as you apply pedal pressure during normal braking. As the brake pads wear the pistons move toward the brake rotor. Each time it passes a step on the internal ratchet it can not go back to the original position. When you engage the E-brake lever the internal ratchet pin locks the pad against the brake rotor. In order for you to install new brake pads and rotors you must first retract the brake caliper piston. To do this you will need a piston caliper retracting tool. The internal ratchet requires a clockwise rotation as well as a fair amount of pressure. The Pro-Mini Caliper retraction tool is design specifically for Mini Cooper rear calipers.

Starting the Job

To use the brake caliper tool follow these simple steps.

1. Step one: Calipers must be unbolted from vehicle. do not remove brake lines and e-brake cables.
2. Step two: Assemble press plate onto caliper retraction tool.
3. Step three: Place tool on position between caliper housing and piston. Making sure that the 2 drive tabs are securely locked into the caliper piston.
4. Step four: Rotate the "T" handle until the press tool applies pressure to the piston. You will feel the threaded internal ratchet (you may need to use a crescent wrench to keep the tool from rotating) continue turning clockwise until the caliper piston is fully back seated.
5. Step five: re-assemble brakes, apply brake several times until pedal is firm. Then apply Emergency brake several time to seat the internal caliper ratcheting pin.
6. Step six: on a slight incline set emergency brake and confirm that vehicle holds. (To avoid chasing your unmanned vehicle down the street.stay in vehicle during test period)

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