Handbrake tensioner hassle (pic)

Z

Zed

Member
 Scotland, Renfreshire
Guys,

Armed with new parking brake shoes, spring kit, attempted changing the shoes today (Scotland...weather window!). Abruptly came to a halt trying to engage the tensioner spring (service lock) which, apparently should be done before any work or is that just adjustment?

The inner cable with the hook seems to far recessed and I can only push the spring tensioner back so far until it stops (fully compressed)...even when I man'd up!

Had a thought, because the shoes are shot and car wont hold on the brake, they were adjusted (at the hub on the inside star adjuster) right up recently for only slight improvement, would this cause the cable to shorten causing said issue at the handbrake lever?

Can I just crack on as I'm replacing the shoes anyway, think that would release the cable tension sufficiently for me to engage the service lock for proper adjustment?

Weather permitting another go tomorrow :gmb:

Pic from another post for explanation....spring not even fully compressed!

terugduwen.jpg
 
Not done this job myself but if you have logged in to the forum you can do a search on 'handbrake' and it pulls up a fair number of results some of which must answer your question. Good luck!
 
You're right indeed, lots of things do come up. However nothing explaining how to get this spring compressed back enough.

This job is absolutely infuriating since the car can't be driven when the handbrake is holding even when off.
 
BMW have a special tool for this, and there is a procedure some where for it, personally I wouldn't bother with it unless It is absolutely necessary.... in most cases it's not necessary.

Just back off the adjuster on the shoes, remove disc/drum replace shoes and adjust the adjusters again .

I'll see if I can find the Procedure
 
fixit man said:
[post]1347601[/post] W have a special tool for this, and there is a procedure some where for it, personally I wouldn't bother with it unless It is absolutely necessary.... in most cases it's not necessary.

Just back off the adjuster on the shoes, remove disc/drum replace shoes and adjust the adjusters again .
Click to expand...

Interesting, from what I hear it is necessary to compress the spring back before the adjuster inside the drum will turn?
 
Edited , misread your last post, ..it is possible to turn the adjuster at the drum without touching anything else, here's the TIS instructions.

http://workshop-manuals.com/bmw/z_series_e85/z4_2.5i_n52_roadst/2_repair_instructions/34__brakes/41__parking_brake/2_ra__adjusting_handbrake/
 
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.

On those instructions it mentions to engage the spring into the retaining hook? I'm so confused!
 
Hi,

I just sent you those to give you the hard option of following the the BMW instructions if you insist on doing it like that.

Just disregard that part and do the rest, afaik the spring tensioners releasing will help to keep the Handbrake handle/lever at it's lowest position after adjustment, but lots on here(including myself) have done it the way I am describing and it is satisfactory.... good luck !
 
Ah okay, I see.

Well I've tried it that way and at present the cog inside the brake disc will not turn at all. It just wont budge either way.

I'm using this method: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=655621
 
Hi,
could be seized, try spraying some WD40 on it and soaking it and then some extra force make sure it's going the correct way... turning away from the barrel towards the shoe :)
 
I've got an odd problem. My service lock seems to be stuck in the engaged position i.e. there is no tension whatsoever on my handbrake cables. The spring-loaded tensioner is in the recessed position with the little hook exposed as if the hook is holding the spring back, when i move the hook over the hole (the hook moves freely), the spring-loaded tensioner won't spring forward, it's as if it has either seized or caught on something else. What am i missing?
 
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