[AvidHiker]

There has been speculation that there's something different about the Gen 6 EPB system which can be damaged by the use of a wind back tool instead of using a scanner (or the SSM) for brake maintenance mode. Yet the system seems to be nearly identical to the Gen 5 EPB. Some of the speculation comes from the fact that the Gen 6 service manuals no longer mention the wind back tool as an alternative to the SSM, as was the case in every Gen 5 FSM, but nobody has offered an explanation (and I know for a fact that several Gen 6 owners have already done the job with a wind back tool and have yet to report any issues).

If you do go this route, just be sure to unplug the actuator before removing the caliper, and pump the brakes several times before cycling the EPB after putting everything back together. The Gen 5 FSM says to cycle it 5 times.

 

[AvidHiker]

In my case I did not apply the parking brake during pad replacement in the rear. If it has not been engaged then it doesn't need to be disengaged with the scanner. It is all simple mechanical pad replacement. You DO have to rewind the piston to retract it. Autozone and others have free rental of the tool required. It makes sense that you would/could damage the EPB if you force it back by winding the piston against it.

I highly doubt you'd be able to get the caliper off with the EPB engaged (without removing the actuators, which should only be done in emergencies). Early on, in the Gen 5 subforum, we had a member who accidentally applied the EPB with the caliper removed and it basically self-destructed. He had to buy a new caliper.