The dreaded handbrake teeth issue!!! HELP!!!

[Tango22]

Hi all,

Had my 2006 2.5 in for its MoT. It's failed on the handbrake not holding the car in situ.
Garage is going to investigate further tomorrow, but I'm dreading the news that it's the common ratchet teeth wear issue.

I vaguely recall while back reading that you can get into it from the top/inside the car. And I seem to remember something about being able to regrind the ratchet teeth with a Dremel or similar?

Anyone done this? Any help or guidance appreciated.

 

[tug]

I have complete fully working ratchet with all good teeth. Let me know if interested.

 

[enuff_zed]

If it's not holding the car it may be the adjustment on the shoes, nothing to do with the teeth.
If the teeth were worn and slipping you would have noticed by now.

 

[Fred Smith]

I might as well ask here -

My E86 really struggles not to slip on my steep drive, to the point that I would be terrified to leave it out of gear, and to the point that I stop it in gear, handbrake on very hard, get out, place chocks, back in car, let car roll back right onto them, then put it back in gear and put the handbrake on hard but not very hard. And that is with new handbrake shoes and (I hope) adjustment by decent mechanics in the same father a nd son garage I've used for over a dozen years.

My 330i is no better.

Are the handbrakes on this era of BMW a bit rubbish? So far it's my only issue with BMW ownership.

In contrast my old Mitsubishi was fine on the handbrake alone.

 

[Rockhopper]

The handbrake is not very good even when working perfectly. For the MOT last April mine had new disks, shoes and fitting kit and it passed with flying colours. I’ve not risked using it since then!

 

[Mr Tidy]

BMW handbrakes can be troublesome, but of the 7 I've had only that wasn't any better after adjustment.

Sadly it's my Z4M which sticks if I leave it on overnight, so I've got a strategically placed brick on the drive and always park it in gear. :lol:

I'll be needing new rear pads soon so it can wait until then as it works fine in normal driving like at traffic lights, etc. After reading of the ratchet teeth issues I always apply it very gently.

 

[STC_Zed]

The handbrakes can be a bit crap.

Mine on the Z4 is fine from an MOT point of view but isn’t that effective on a slope. The tester mentioned that it feels like the ratchet is wearing so probably some that I need to look at before the next test. My wife hates the handbrake on my car and tries not to drive it because of it (it’s not that bad).

 

[raymond.harper]

This is the article for grinding the teeth in situ. You can remove the handbrake by pulling the flange up at the rear without dropping the prop. https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2066947&hilit=Handbrake#p2066947

 

[Tango22]

Hi all,

Many thanks for the replies - Wee update..........Spoken to garage and it is indeed the ratchet mechanism/teeth that are the issue. They've managed to source a new replacement (much to my surprise but ultimately my relief ) from a parts supplier they deal with in Germany.

Be a few days until it arrives. Think I'm happy to go down the new replacement route even if it's expensive - planning on keeping my little Zed for a good few years yet so at least it's peace of mind that I'll not have any issues with the handbrake again.

The good news is she flew through her MoT with no other issues!!

 

[tug]

I reckon the one ive got would have saved you a small fortune, as in £148 posted. But ey' hope it all gets sorted for you.

 

[Obicoke]

Hi all,

Many thanks for the replies - Wee update..........Spoken to garage and it is indeed the ratchet mechanism/teeth that are the issue. They've managed to source a new replacement (much to my surprise but ultimately my relief ) from a parts supplier they deal with in Germany.

Be a few days until it arrives. Think I'm happy to go down the new replacement route even if it's expensive - planning on keeping my little Zed for a good few years yet so at least it's peace of mind that I'll not have any issues with the handbrake again.

The good news is she flew through her MoT with no other issues!!

how much did the garage charge you ? I have a handbrake and need to get it fitted.

 

[Rockhopper]

Always keep the button pressed in when you pull the lever up then it'll never wear.