Handbrake failure

[TommyGG]

Hello!

e85 '03.

The person I bought off told me the handbrake is fine, but needs to be pulled firmly.

I pulled it hard a couple of times, and the whole thing made a pop sound and seemed to have popped off! It popped back in again though, and seems OK.

However the other day I had a handbrake failure and it was lucky I spotted it. I parked on a gradual incline hill, put the HB on and the car very slowly started rolling backwards. I always park in gear now just to be safe.

Sometimes the handbrake seems to work OK and I can only pull it up a couple of inches, other times it feels loose and I can pull it much further. It seems random on each HB usage.

Anyone know what this could be? Might the cable need tightening/replacing?

 

[bradmarsh1989]

I have this exact same issue, my driveway is on a steep hill and pulling all the way to full lock doesnt even stop the car rolling back. I have to park, put in first gear and then pull with both hands hard to get the car to stop safely... Might mean previous owners wore it down too much?

 

[Merrsh1]

Mines a bit tricky. I applied it the other day, got out, opened the garage door and felt a weight against the back of my legs.

Then spent 30 frantic seconds trying to figure out a way to stop being squashed between the garage door and the Z. Luckily the car seemed to settle and I could squeeze through a gap. Would have been a poor way to die, ran over by a stationary sports car...

German engineering my arse.

 

[moe]

if your 2003 Z4 has SMG transmission, before shutting off the engine, you can put it on 1st gear. It wont break it.

(same concept as manual transmission, two supports - transmission lock and handbrake)

But I still suggest have your handbrake level, handbrake cable and brake shoe check

If its only minor maybe a mechanic can adjust your handbrake lever pull count..