Handbrake Cable Replacement

[phatevanz]

Dear All,
I'm new to this forum and have searched everywhere for a guide to replace the broken handbrake cable on my E86 as a result of a damaged Trailing Arm during an accident.
I have tried to go through the underside of the car but it appears I will have to remove the Exhaust, Heat Shield and Propshaft to get to this 'black box' where I believe the cables meet the linkage(s) from the Handbrake Lever.
Is it possible to access this 'black box' from the inside of the car like most cars?
Can someone please guide me through the stages necessary replace the Handbrake Cable?
Thanks in advance.

 

[MJJamieson]

Your correct, access is from below, remove exhaust, heat shields and prop. Remove cover from handbrake and be careful when dropping down cause the switch cable isn’t very long and can snap easy if yanked. Guess how I know !!

 

[Scooba_Steve]

Right ballache!

 

[phatevanz]

Wow!
Thanks so much MJJamieson. I spent so much time trying to go through the centre console - obviously with no joy.
Will give it a try.
Thanks again

 

[ben g]

Replaced mine last year. Big job and very annoying.

As said, you have to drop the exhaust and a few other bits under the car.

 

[ed80]

Digging up an old thread for context. I am replacing my handbrake cables, but cannot open the cover under the car that protects the mechanism. I have unfastened all 6 nuts, but it is refusing to budge under moderate persuasion.

Do I just need to pry it harder, or did I miss something?

 

[ed80]

Ok, it just took a lot of prying. I now have access to the mechanism from underneath the car, but there is still very difficult to see anything because the handbrake handle and the handbrake sensor wire prevent things from dropping too much.

I will sleep on it and try in the morning I think.

Once of the centre support bearing bolts is cross threading itself when I try to reinstall it, so I have that to deal with too