Dodgy handbreak

Zmachine said:
I have exactly the same handbrake problem.

I've just taken mine into an independent BMW specialist (trusted and used for a while now) and he had diagnosed the handbrake ratchet wheel as worn. This is a common fault apparently.

If you lift up the trim and look down into the centre console void (just behind the handbrake) you can see the ratchet wheel. Two of the teeth have worn on mine and this is where the fault is.

A new handbrake ratchet is £85 from BMW. Centre console trim has to come out for fitting so it's a fair bit of labour to fit too, apparently.

Hope this helps, I'm waiting for repair too so in the same boat!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

Definitely sounds right to me
 
Zmachine said:
I have exactly the same handbrake problem.

I've just taken mine into an independent BMW specialist (trusted and used for a while now) and he had diagnosed the handbrake ratchet wheel as worn. This is a common fault apparently.

If you lift up the trim and look down into the centre console void (just behind the handbrake) you can see the ratchet wheel. Two of the teeth have worn on mine and this is where the fault is.

A new handbrake ratchet is £85 from BMW. Centre console trim has to come out for fitting so it's a fair bit of labour to fit too, apparently.

Hope this helps, I'm waiting for repair too so in the same boat!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

When I was learning to drive (many years ago) my driving instructor always made me hold the button in whilst pulling up the lever then release it as opposed to just yanking it up with the ratchet clicking. I've used that method ever since.
 
Just an update, haven't had any issues with it at all since I got my rear discs replaced. Just thought I'd let everyone know! Might be a main cause of the problems if they are old and corroded.
 
bladeowner said:
Zmachine said:
I have exactly the same handbrake problem.

I've just taken mine into an independent BMW specialist (trusted and used for a while now) and he had diagnosed the handbrake ratchet wheel as worn. This is a common fault apparently.

If you lift up the trim and look down into the centre console void (just behind the handbrake) you can see the ratchet wheel. Two of the teeth have worn on mine and this is where the fault is.

A new handbrake ratchet is £85 from BMW. Centre console trim has to come out for fitting so it's a fair bit of labour to fit too, apparently.

Hope this helps, I'm waiting for repair too so in the same boat!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

When I was learning to drive (many years ago) my driving instructor always made me hold the button in whilst pulling up the lever then release it as opposed to just yanking it up with the ratchet clicking. I've used that method ever since.

So did mine. Good advice tbh.
 
Mine does the same, got BMW to tighten it in my service which lasted about a week and has now returned to normal, pops out sometimes and I really have to wrench it on on a hill.

I don't mind - you just have to get used to playing chicken with the car that's sitting right up your arse on a steep hill! Lol
 
Mine makes like a snapping noise every now and then like the ratchet has not engaged properly , I always leave in gear on flat or hill !
 
Back
Top Bottom