Handbrake Cable Tension Service Lock Won't Disengage

[EViS]

I'm having trouble releasing the handbrake cable tension service lock (below the handbrake lever) on a 2003 e85. The service lock engaged just fine with the hook coming through the spring, I then adjusted the newly fitted parking brake shoes. However, I cannot seem to disengage the service lock hook afterwards, despite it having slid off and partly back into the spring. I've tried with the handbrake lever in both the up and down positions.

Is there a particular knack to this with a long flat head screwdriver that I'm missing?

I've now gone from having a partly functional handbrake to none at all. Doh!

 

[colb]

Try loosening off the handbrake shoes at the drums then re-engage the cable latch, adjust the shoes up again till the drums locks up then back off each 7 clicks then release the spring adjuster so it disengages fully. Think you have overadjusted the cables so that it won't release the spring latch fully.

 

[EViS]

Had another go at this. After about 20 minutes of hard pushing and prodding, I almost gave up. I then had one more attempt, but this time with the handbrake up two clicks. Having put barely any force on the spring whatsoever, but only a slight movement side to side, the hook lock fully disengaged. Unbelievably relieved but also quite annoyed that I still don't know what the knack to this is and I can't advise others who may also be reading this in the future...

 

[bg1]

Had another go at this. After about 20 minutes of hard pushing and prodding, I almost gave up. I then had one more attempt, but this time with the handbrake up two clicks. Having put barely any force on the spring whatsoever, but only a slight movement side to side, the hook lock fully disengaged. Unbelievably relieved but also quite annoyed that I still don't know what the knack to this is and I can't advise others who may also be reading this in the future...

There is actually a BMW special tool to do this. Looks a bit like a clip removal tool.

 

[EViS]

Had another go at this. After about 20 minutes of hard pushing and prodding, I almost gave up. I then had one more attempt, but this time with the handbrake up two clicks. Having put barely any force on the spring whatsoever, but only a slight movement side to side, the hook lock fully disengaged. Unbelievably relieved but also quite annoyed that I still don't know what the knack to this is and I can't advise others who may also be reading this in the future...

There is actually a BMW special tool to do this. Looks a bit like a clip removal tool.

Yup, I've seen it but no idea how it works differently to a screwdriver (or one with a slot cut into it)?

 

[bg1]

Had another go at this. After about 20 minutes of hard pushing and prodding, I almost gave up. I then had one more attempt, but this time with the handbrake up two clicks. Having put barely any force on the spring whatsoever, but only a slight movement side to side, the hook lock fully disengaged. Unbelievably relieved but also quite annoyed that I still don't know what the knack to this is and I can't advise others who may also be reading this in the future...

There is actually a BMW special tool to do this. Looks a bit like a clip removal tool.

Yup, I've seen it but no idea how it works differently to a screwdriver (or one with a slot cut into it)?

Wider?

 

[Rockhopper]

It looks very like this. Socket for scale.

 

[EViS]

It looks very like this.IMG_5068.jpg Socket for scale.

Thanks for sharing the scale of this. How does this work differently to a screwdriver? What exactly is it pushing/turning against?

 

[Rockhopper]

Erm, no idea I'm afraid, I've not used it yet