Zedshed Cymru Activity 1st November 2024

[colb]

Shed activity today was on Alex's Z4 2.5 for replacement Discs front and rear, we previously put new calipers on the front and planned to put new ones on the rear this time around. Managed to change one side but couldn't get the brake pipe connection undone on the other side so old Caliper which was still serviceable was left on. Right pain to set the handbrake adjustment, the service spring latch under the interior brake handle was a pig to latch and then unlatch once the shoes were adjusted up at the wheels. We did copper slip the adjusters so they were nice and free to get the adjustment right. This has got to be the worst system to have been put on a car, shame on you BMW. Fronts were a doddle to change despite one disc retaining screw being stubborn and had to be tapped out using a centre punch to break it free, good job the new discs came with new screws. Final job was to put two new boot struts on, even that turned into a mission with the clips that hold them in but got there in the end. Probable going to upgrade to stainless braided hoses all round going forward but going to see what the December MOT reveals before getting on with that.

 

[Joez4]

Sounds like a productive day, I couldn't get that service pin to latch even with a tool recommended for the job, is it critical to getting a good handbrake as i adjusted without it but now I'm finding my handbrake not holding the car as good as it did initially on a steep hill

 

[colb]

Yes that latch takes tension off the cables, if it's really hard to compress back the adjusters off at each wheel and then try compressing it to latch. Once latched you may have to back the adjusters off some more if you want to take the disc/drum off to clean out the dust and check the shoes. Take the adjuster off and clean and apply copper ease to the moving part and screw put it back in and once the drum is back on use a flat blade screwdriver through a wheel bolt hole to flick the adjuster to close the shoes so they lock the drum from turning then back off 6 clicks or until the shoes don't drag on the drum. Once both sides are adjusted release the latch under the lever and you should have a three click handbrake. You may get more clicks depending if the cables have stretched over time. The right hand side adjuster can be seen at 11 o'clock through the bolt hole, you will need a torch, the left hand side is at 2 o'clock through the bolt hole. Best of luck it's an awful job.

 

[Joez4]

Thanks for the info, it's pretty much what I did when I replaced the discs and shoes, the only thing I didn't do was latch that spring, even so I did manage to get a 3 click handbrake sometimes it would be 4 but it never felt solid on a steep incline and I've noticed when rasing the rear wheels off the ground and applying the handbrake the wheels rock back and forth before they lock on the shoes, this doesn't seem right to me.

I will do it again and see if I can get that spring to latch and report back