My 2006 Z4 Coupe
- Thread starter STC_Zed
- Start date
STC_Zed said:
Great, thanks
Managed to tick off a few little jobs on Saturday.
First up was changing the gearbox oil because I really don’t buy into BMW’s sealed for life statement. I used Red Line MTL like I have in my last few BMW’s with new fill and drain plugs.
The old oil didn’t smell too bad, but it was very very black.
New plugs installed, gearbox refilled and new OE fill and drain plugs installed.
Next up was to try and sort my useless handbrake. I tried adjust it when I replaced the rear discs and pads but it’s still largely useless. So it was time to sort that properly.
In the process of stripping the passenger side down
The old shoes exposed.
They were looking a bit ropy
I was up against it time wise by this point, so I forgot to take pictures of the new shoes, springs etc fitted. I still need to to the drivers side, but the handbrake is a bit less useless than it was.
First up was changing the gearbox oil because I really don’t buy into BMW’s sealed for life statement. I used Red Line MTL like I have in my last few BMW’s with new fill and drain plugs.
The old oil didn’t smell too bad, but it was very very black.
New plugs installed, gearbox refilled and new OE fill and drain plugs installed.
Next up was to try and sort my useless handbrake. I tried adjust it when I replaced the rear discs and pads but it’s still largely useless. So it was time to sort that properly.
In the process of stripping the passenger side down
The old shoes exposed.
They were looking a bit ropy
I was up against it time wise by this point, so I forgot to take pictures of the new shoes, springs etc fitted. I still need to to the drivers side, but the handbrake is a bit less useless than it was.
interested to hear how you get on with the handbrake adjustment. I felt mine was still a bit useless after changing the shoes etc. There's talk about some spring clip thing under the handbrake lever in side the car that you need to fiddle with before doing any adjustment. I tried and failed to fiddle with it, so the handbrake isn't the best....MOT coming up soon so not sure if it will get called out or not
chanlon1 said:
Ditto... my rear shoes have been done... I suspect the teeth in my hand brake lever are heavily worn and that the handbrake still needs more TLC somewhere to encourage my car to stay on my drive without using lorry chucks to keep it in place.
Meds said:
Have a read of this, I dont believe its specific to the Z4M
https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/BMW_Z4M/92-BRAKES-Parking_Brake_Adjusting/92-BRAKES-Parking_Brake_Adjusting.htm#:~:text=Figure%206%20Using%20a%20long,to%20expand%20the%20brake%20shoes
chanlon1 said:
It can be a bit of a pain but you have to push the spring in under the handbrake until it catches and holds in place . Then adjust at the rear wheels before releasing the spring . If the spring doesn`t release properly you will end up with a poor handbrake feel . Patience is the key . Walk away if you get frustrated with the spring and come back and try again
1536Z4 said:chanlon1 said:
It can be a bit of a pain but you have to push the spring in under the handbrake until it catches and holds in place . Then adjust at the rear wheels before releasing the spring . If the spring doesn`t release properly you will end up with a poor handbrake feel . Patience is the key . Walk away if you get frustrated with the spring and come back and try again
My issue is that I can't push the spring in far enough for it to catch. I have tried and tried and I still seem to be a few mm from catching. Dont know if it just needs more of a push, or if something is preventing it from catching.
Try backing the adjusters off in each of the rear wheels then go back in the car and push the spring adjuster so it latches in the adjustment position. That takes the tension off the cables. Then go and use the wheel adjusters to bring the shoes into contact with the drums so that you cant rotate the wheel. Back off the adjusters 6 or 7 clicks, once that's done go and unlatch the adjuster at the handbrake lever to re-tension the cables. Then pull the handbrake on and off a few times to check its operation. Don't let the ratchet run over the teeth when you apply the brake depress the button until you reach the full travel of the lever, doing it that way prevents the teeth from wearing away which is a common problem on the Z4, overall its a crap design for a handbrake. If you ever need to take the lever out it can be done from inside the car but it needs the opening it lives in bending back to access the bolts with a socket on an extension bar. The bends can be left as the trim cover hides them when put back in place. Removing it from below requires dropping the exhaust and prop shaft to access it.
