How To Adjust Handbrake

[EViS]

The handbrake on my 2003 e85 roadster barely holds the car on the slightest of inclines. Is there a how-to guide on adjusting the tension?

 

[MJJamieson]

If you read this its easier than trying to explain.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/BMW_Z4M/92-BRAKES-Parking_Brake_Adjusting/92-BRAKES-Parking_Brake_Adjusting.htm

 

[EViS]

If you read this its easier than trying to explain.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/BMW_Z4M/92-BRAKES-Parking_Brake_Adjusting/92-BRAKES-Parking_Brake_Adjusting.htm

Thanks for that, looks pretty time consuming so will save this for the weekend .

On a side note, how does a parking lever and trim get into the state the photos in that link show .

 

[Rufus59]

If you read this its easier than trying to explain.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/BMW_Z4M/92-BRAKES-Parking_Brake_Adjusting/92-BRAKES-Parking_Brake_Adjusting.htm

Great guide, used it to adjust my own but the internal ratchet is so much harder to access and actuate than they make out a very long flat head screwdriver will do the trick. The auto adjuster spring in the cabin, needs to be pressed in whilst the handbrake is down. Took me a while to work that out but makes sense when you think how the system works.

 

[maxman]

I would start by blowing out the dust from the handbrake drum with an airline through one of the wheel stud holes.Make sure to wear a mask.Next adjust the handbrake shoes,it will be a lot easier with the wheel off.
With any luck this will do the job without the need to adj the cable .

 

[Ewazix]

I did mine recently and found releasing the cable without the bmw tool all but impossible, to give you an idea of what you are trying to replicate with a screwdriver this is the tool,

 

[Liam-O]

At my MOT recently, it was mentioned that my handbrake has only just passed.

I've had the wheels and disks off and the shoes look fine, why wouldn't they, as they aren't used for braking.

I'd read that the handbrake only needs adjusting if it goes passed 10 clicks, currently mine needs 6-7 to hold the car.

Is adjusting in this way the next thing I should be trying?

 

[terryo]

complete and utter stupidity by BMW. hundreds of other makers can achieve this without the silliness of a cable lock buried under the trims

 

[Ewazix]

complete and utter stupidity by BMW. hundreds of other makers can achieve this without the silliness of a cable lock buried under the trims

It is possible without the tool, but there must be a knack which I didn't possess and it was a random lucky prod with a screwdriver after a lot of cursing that got it off in the end