Parts for your 2013 Audi Q5-Brake shoes

2013 Audi Q5 Brake Shoes — are they used?

For the 2013 Audi Q5 (type 8R), brake shoes aren’t used. This model runs four-wheel disc brakes with an electromechanical parking brake built into the rear calipers, so there’s no separate drum-in-hat setup and no brake-shoe linings to service. Technical references that confirm this include Audi’s erWin/ELSA repair information for the Q5 8R (which details rear disc brakes with electric parking brake motors on the calipers), the Audi Q5 2013 Owner’s Manual noting the electromechanical parking brake, and the Audi/ETKA parts catalogue for the 8R, which lists rear calipers with motors and pads/rotors, but no parking-brake shoes.

Why doesn’t this Q5 use brake shoes? Audi’s EPB clamps the standard rear disc pads via a small motor on each rear caliper. It packages neatly, integrates cleanly with stability systems, and removes the need for a separate drum mechanism. That means no brake-shoe adjustments, springs, or levers—just pads, rotors, and calipers to maintain.

What does that mean for servicing? Owners and techs focus on pads and rotors rather than shoes. The parking brake’s electric motors must be placed in service mode before pad replacement, and then recalibrated after. Trying to wind back a rear piston without commanding the EPB can damage the motor or the mechanism—costly and avoidable. Typical service flow looks like this:

• Use a capable scan tool to put the EPB into service mode (opens the caliper motors).
• Replace rear pads and rotors as needed, inspect slider pins and boots, and lubricate appropriately.
• Re-engage the EPB and run the basic settings/adaptation with the scan tool so clamp force is correct.
• Road test, bed in pads gently, and check for EPB faults.

If a parts search turns up “brake shoes” for a 2013 Q5 8R, it’s usually a catalogue mismatch. Unless someone has performed a major, non-standard conversion, this model simply doesn’t use them. For peace of mind, the VIN in Audi’s parts system will always show rear disc brakes with EPB calipers, not drum shoes.

FAQs

Does a 2013 Audi Q5 have brake shoes?
No. The 2013 Q5 8R uses rear disc brakes with an electromechanical parking brake integrated into the calipers, so there are no separate brake shoes.

How is the parking brake serviced on a 2013 Q5 if there are no shoes?
The EPB motors must be placed in service mode with a scan tool before pad work, then re-adapted after the job. Pads, rotors, sliders and boots are inspected and serviced just like any disc-brake setup.

Could any 2013 Q5 have drum-style parking brake shoes?
Not in standard Audi specification for the 8R Q5. Parts catalogues and the factory repair manual list EPB calipers and pads only. If in doubt, check by VIN in the Audi parts system.