Handbrake Ratchet replacement - Possible at home?

E

ejs4

Member
Hi,

I believe my 2004 Z4 needs a new hand brake ratchet. I only clicks about 3 times and does not hold the car. Then I pull hard with two hands it does hold.
I can see the teeth are worn. I have also tried adjusting the brake shoes, has not improved it.


Is it easy to replace the handbrake ratchet at home? Is there a good set-by-step instruction or youtube video about?
 
So when you pull it up and it clicks 2-3 times, does it stay in that position or slip back again?
If it stays on the tooth you engaged it on, then it possibly doesn't need a new assembly?
Coincidentally I have the same issue, but haven't got round to adjusting the shoes yet. I was just looking at the ratchet and it is engaging ok, just needs a heave to hold it up far enough.
In my pre-adjustment research I have read that you may need to re-adjust a couple of times to get it just right.
 
It clicks approx 3 times and stays but hardly bites. It is really hard to pull up any more, but with two hands I can get it to hold on an incline.

I adjusted twice already, on second time around I adjusted pretty tight but it still would not hold. I have checked the rear drum brakes and they seems pretty good.
 
ejs4 said:
It clicks approx 3 times and stays but hardly bites. It is really hard to pull up any more, but with two hands I can get it to hold on an incline.

I adjusted twice already, on second time around I adjusted pretty tight but it still would not hold. I have checked the rear drum brakes and they seems pretty good.
Click to expand...
Fair enough, was worth a check first. :thumbsup:
 
mine is doing this too, so glad these have hill assist :rofl: To change the assembly the exhaust and prop shaft need to come off to gain access, so doable at home but a faff getting underneath. Best to rent a lift for this job really.

Ive read of someone filing the teeth back on the ratchet whilst in place as a repair, but unsure if/how this is a worthwhile method.
 
I think Hill-Start Assist may have only been fitted to facelifts.

Neither of my E46s had it either, but both my early E9* 3 Series did and all my Z4s.

I hope you can get it fixed ready for your trip. :thumbsup:
 
Mine is the same three clicks then two hands to give it another click if needed. When you adjust it do you engage the clip at the handle end to take the tension off the cable at that end before adjusting the star wheels in the drums?
You should be clicking the star wheels up so the shoes lock the drum then back off up to 7 clicks then unlatch the clip at the handle end to put tension back on the cable that end. Taking the drum off and giving it a rub down with some emery cloth will take the smoothness off the drum and let the shoes grip it better.
Good guide here https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/BMW_Z4M/92-BRAKES-Parking_Brake_Adjusting/92-BRAKES-Parking_Brake_Adjusting.htm
 
I have taken the drums off and given them a good clean on a wire brush machine. They were not in great shape.

My handbrake only have 3 notches, pull any further and they are rounded and it doesn't hold. On notch 3 it barley holds at all, but pulling to where notch 4/5 would be it does hold fairly well.

When driving I can hear some rubbing noses from the rear brakes. (I think it is because I adjusted them a little tighter).

I do get the Yellow Handbrake light, and yellow traction control light sometimes as well.... could this be linked?
 
Those two lights usuall caused by a duff brake pressure sensor on the master cylinder, there are two of them. Best put a code reader on and check for any abs related codes if its them bringing the lights on. Replacements on ebay circa £12 each.

As to brake adjustment back the star wheels off on both sides then latch the cable at the lever end, return to the wheels and adjust the starwheels up to lock the shoes on the drum so it won't turn. Back it off 7 clicks repeat on other side then unlatch the cabe at the handle end and pull it on and off a few times to test it. Find a hill anfd try it out, you should get more than 3 clicks doing it this way if the ratchet teeth are ok.
 
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