Brakes locked on rear left (after washing)

alane29 · Post by **alane29** » Sat Jul 15, 2023 7:49 pm

Hi

I washed my M coupe last Sunday and put it into the garage stupidly i put the handbrake on i usually leave it off as the brakes have seized on the rear before.
Anyway tried to get the car out today and the rear left is seized i tried the usual giving it some gas and going forward and backward which usually works but its not moving ,i have rubber tiles on the garage floor which isn't helping with grip.

Any top tips ??

Thanks

smorris_12 · Post by **smorris_12** » Sat Jul 15, 2023 8:15 pm

I've freed stuck trailer drums before now that resisted the "drag until free" method with a hammer and a drift that reached thru wheel to let me clout the drum. Might be worth a try.

alane29 · Post by **alane29** » Sat Jul 15, 2023 8:48 pm

Problem is i cant get the wheel off as there is only about 12 inches between the wheel and the garage wall

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Sat Jul 15, 2023 8:59 pm

That's a pain, and looking at the photo in your avatar you might struggle to get a drift between the spokes.

My MC has the same problem, but so far I've always remembered to leave the handbrake off and park in gear - apart from one night at the Z4 National a couple of weeks ago. I got that "clonk" when I pulled away the next morning.

Do you know anyone with a set of dollies to get it out of the garage?

alane29 · Post by **alane29** » Sat Jul 15, 2023 10:35 pm

im might try jacking it up at the rear and somehow roll it on the jack i do have a decent jack so it might roll if i can get the wheel off the ground
i assume its the handbrake pad inside the drum that are the problem ? not just the pads binding on the disc ?

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Sat Jul 15, 2023 10:52 pm

Jacking up the rear should work if the jack will roll on your floor.

If it's the handbrake it will be the shoes inside the drum - good luck.

smorris_12 · Post by **smorris_12** » Sun Jul 16, 2023 9:21 am

It's funny, the normal complaint of BMW handbrakes is that they don't hold well enough!

I think I'd spring for a set of dollies even tho I'm hugely mean and cheap. I'd be tempted with the trolley jack method but, at the first bit of gravel, dirt or dead fly the jack will stop dead and inertia will try and yank the car off it.

colb · Post by **colb** » Sun Jul 16, 2023 10:01 am

Know anyone with a Skateboard?
Jack the offending wheel up place the skateboard under then roll or pull the car forward.

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Sun Jul 16, 2023 10:30 am

colb wrote: ↑Sun Jul 16, 2023 10:01 am Know anyone with a Skateboard?
Jack the offending wheel up place the skateboard under then roll or pull the car forward.

Unless it has an LSD?
If that wheel is locked solid I don't think it'll allow the other one to roll out of the garage?

inkey$ · Post by **inkey$** » Sun Jul 16, 2023 1:55 pm

This used to happen to me A LOT back when I had my M Coupe - even with handbrake left off (although much worse when on). And I have a rubber tiled floor too. Its a common E46/S54 M Car issue. I tried revving, pushing the car etc. No luck and stuck fast.

It is indeed the inner handbrake shoes, and the easiest method I found to release them was to take a rubber mallet to each hub and give them a swift and hard knock.

alane29 · Post by **alane29** » Sun Jul 16, 2023 3:13 pm

Thanks for the info , its too wet to mess about with it today ,will have a go next weekend

Adam D · Post by **Adam D** » Fri Jul 21, 2023 8:00 am

Used to have this issue a lot before renewing the rear handbrake shoes, I also bought a car blower driers to help get water out of the discs.

First gear/reverse and 3k rpm will move it…

alane29 · Post by **alane29** » Sun Aug 13, 2023 9:40 am

Update - left the car for a week with handbrake off and it released with a slight knock - will check the handbrake shoes when i get an chance

inkey$ · Post by **inkey$** » Sun Aug 13, 2023 10:16 am

alane29 wrote: ↑Sun Aug 13, 2023 9:40 am Update - left the car for a week with handbrake off and it released with a slight knock - will check the handbrake shoes when i get an chance

I think you’ll find it will always do this, regardless of shoes. Part of the S54/E46 ///M brake charm. Just get yourself a cheap rubber mallet and give them a little knock to free off if she ever locks up again.

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