Help! Handbrake adjustment...

B

big_al

Member
 Bristol
Sorry if this has been covered, but I couldn't find it - most people have the opposite problem to me... I've just installed new discs/pads/shoes all round (using new fitting kits) and adjusted the handbrake according to the z4 specific instructions I've seen (lock auto-adjust spring out>tighten shoes>back off 9 notches>release spring>pull handbrake a few times), but when it auto adjusts, it's a bit too tight. So it only takes a couple of clicks to be fairly well on, and releasing the handbrake lets the car drive, but the shoes are rubbing and heating up the discs quite a lot.

Anyone had this before?

I've tried adjusting from scratch twice now, with the same result. I'm going to loosen the drums off a few more notches tomorrow, but I'm guessing the auto adjust will just take up the difference again...?

All suggestions greatly appreciated!
 
Well, I've had them back apart and the profile of the new shoes is very slightly different to the old (worn) ones around the curve of them. The new (pagid) ones have a tighter radius, so the ends aren't in contact with the disc, but I still don't get how this wouldn't be accounted for by the auto adjuster?? Thinking of just putting the old shoes back in and trying that. They're a bit rusty looking, but there's plenty of material left on them. Got to be worth a punt?
 
The way I see it, the auto adjust shouldn't even come into play with new shoes, though I can imagine the different radius can mess up the 9 click instruction. I think you should just adjust them looser and see how it goes. But partly just because I'm curious about what will happen, as I don't fully understand the auto adjust mechanism. I don't blame you if you just throw the old ones back in and be done with it.
 
Did you bed them in by driving at around 20 mph for 100m with the handbrake on, releasing and repeating. You have to burn off paint and bed them in else they don't adjust or function correctly.
 
It's a good point CJ and technically no, I didn't. But having driven about 5 miles (didn't realise it was the handbrake initially) and now dismantled again, they're well bedded in now...
 
BCW - I did notch them back another 5, but the adjustment just took it up again. Unless its coincidence and something outside of the drum has broken, it must be related to the new parts I'm thinking. Check the calipers aren't sticking too. With the handbrake adjustment backed off, everything's moving pretty freely.
 
Old shoes in. Discs on. Adjusted. FINE.

Lesson learned: Don't buy cheap brake parts (although they were Pagid, so I was expecting better...)

Alternative lesson: Only replace the handbrake shoes if they actually need doing (It's hard to imagine that they would ever wear out, because there's very little movement on them in normal use)
 
big_al said:
Old shoes in. Discs on. Adjusted. FINE.

Lesson learned: Don't buy cheap brake parts (although they were Pagid, so I was expecting better...)

Alternative lesson: Only replace the handbrake shoes if they actually need doing (It's hard to imagine that they would ever wear out, because there's very little movement on them in normal use)
Click to expand...

Glad you reached a resolution. Interesting how the new shoes were so far out of spec. they wouldn't adjust correctly
 
big_al said:
Old shoes in. Discs on. Adjusted. FINE.

Lesson learned: Don't buy cheap brake parts (although they were Pagid, so I was expecting better...)

Alternative lesson: Only replace the handbrake shoes if they actually need doing (It's hard to imagine that they would ever wear out, because there's very little movement on them in normal use)
Click to expand...

I had a similar problem, the issue was the after market (pagid) shoes :(

On my car i can adjust them ok but the car moves an inch before the wheels lock. The dealer said it was because of the non bmw shoes and i should've bought genuine ones. It still went through the MOT but its annoying.
 
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