parking brakes and brake lines replacement also dust shield question

[blk90s13]

First of all I didn't find a diy on the above subjects so here it goes


My one front dust shield is broken off at the one side and keeps rattling driving me crazy I am thinking about either replacing it or cutting it off and living without it, would I be ok ? where can I find a replacement and can it be done without opening the hub ?

Rear parking brake replacement seems like an easy job but I need a manual to see where everything should go back specially both of mine fell out when I took the rotor off !

The front brake hoses seem to be an odd size because a 12mm is too big and the 10mm is too small on the hard line size flare ? I am using a line wrench here.

Thanks all

[jgerry2002]

I used some metal stock and fabricated a piece with a bench grinder, then drilled two holes and bolted the dust shield back together where it cracked. Plenty of space in there to do this. Both sides of my 328i broke. It rattled like crazy before I repaired it. Its holding up well enough now.

Parking brake can be tricky if the rear rotor is old, the new shoes seem like they dont quite fit as the old rotor gets "shaped" to the old shoes. Put everything together and bolt a wheel on to set things in place.

Brake hoses - I used a good set of combination wrenches to remove mine. Try an 11mm. I'm not a fan of brake line wrenches. Use a good quality penetrating oil - Wurth Rost Off, Krioil, PB-Blaster. Spray the connections and let the oil work for a few minutes.

[morzada]

You might find it easier to get a tin snips and cut a wedge out of the dust shields so that when they do vibrate they don't clang against each other.

To my knowledge, they can't be replaced without the hub and/or bearing coming out first.

[blk90s13]

Thanks, I never thought of repairing the shield but that does not sound like a bad idea



I am putting all new rotors on the rear I may need hardware kit as well for the parking brake most of the springs are in pieces !

Really ? A line wrench is not a good idea ? I have an expensive set by snap on :( hehe