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Handbrake squealing

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James93
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Handbrake squealing

Post by James93 » Sat May 01, 2021 3:26 pm

Just had her serviced by a BMW specialist and pointed out to them that sometimes when I take the handbrake off and move forward I get a rotary squeaking sound as if the handbrake isn’t fully off. This can happen at anytime and has only been occurring since I had my pads and disks changed about 6 months ago. Mechanic said he’s inspected everything but it all seems ok and that BMWs tend to do this sometimes. Doesn’t seem quite right to me as I can’t see that this is a common problem from the digging I’ve been doing. Can anyone give any advice?

Cheers,

James
E85 3.0i Manual (Black, roof motor relocation, heated seats, Goodyear Eagle F1s, refurbished 108s with grey centres, Xenon headlights, stubby aerial and a secret unknown button)

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Rucky
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Location: Glos, England

Handbrake squealing

Post by Rucky » Sat May 01, 2021 4:09 pm

Did they change the handbrake shoes as well?
Its probably rust but....
Might be worth bedding them in by applying and releasing the handbrake a few times whilst moving but only if you have a hanbrake lever/handle
It will also clear the rust off the discs
DO NOT apply handbrake whilst moving if its the electric button type!!

Handbrakes do tend to stick on if parked up for a while and release with a jolt when its been damp. The shoes rust to the drum section of the discs.

I do not use the handbrake unless it is essential ( but then its an Auto)
Discs rust like hell even after just washing the car and wheels - parking with the handbrake on just rusts them up and cause sticking.

It may also be that the handbrake is improperly adjusted and binding - you will need to jack up and see how free the wheels are.
04 2.5i Titan silver - 1st Z4 now sold on
07 3.0si Silver Grey M Sport pak.
X5 and assorted motorbikes

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Spriteracer
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Location: West Wales

Handbrake squealing

Post by Spriteracer » Mon May 03, 2021 3:12 pm

duplicated....
Last edited by Spriteracer on Mon May 03, 2021 3:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
2007 E86 "work in progress"

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Spriteracer
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Location: West Wales

Handbrake squealing

Post by Spriteracer » Mon May 03, 2021 3:16 pm

I replaced rear disks and pads recently (a long story) and found that one of the handbrake pull off springs was flapping around, and not clipped into the handbrake shoe. It caused some nasty grinding noises under braking in my case but maybe it could get caught to cause noises at other times. Just to add this was just after the indy had replaced the subframe bushes, so the handbrake cables would have been detached and presumably not put back securely.
2007 E86 "work in progress"

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