Parking brake malfunction

[rcM3]

To fix a parking brake that is not functioning do I need to replace the cables/shoes, or is it possible that it just needs to be adjusted?

I've seen the DIY for the adjustment. Anybody seen one for replacement?

Thanks!

[erobinson]

To replace the cable:


Raise rear of car and remove wheels
Remove rear brake caliper and rotor
Inside the car, lift parking brake lever boot out of console. Remove cable adjusting nuts.
Remove parking brake shoes (described in next section)
Disconnect cable from parking brake actuator and then remove parking brake cable from cable holder on trailing arm.
Slide cable out of housing (you might have to remove the muffler to access the cable)
Installation is the reverse of removal. You'll need to adjust the parking brake now (you said you had a DIY on this, so I won't include that part)


To replace the shoes:

Raise rear of car and remove the rear wheels. (make sure the jack stands are under the structural chassis points, not suspension components)
Without disconnecting the brake fluid hose, remove the rear brake calipers from trailing arms. Remove rear brake rotors. (Don't let the caliper assembly hang from the hose, use a thick wire or something to support it)
Unhook upper return spring from brake shoes. Remove shoe retainers by pushing them in and rotating 1/4 turn. If you have trouble removing the retainers you can buy the BMW special tool no. 34 4 000.
Spread shoes apart and lift them out. (the shoe expander pivot pin in the brake actuator may fall out.)
Inspect shoe expander to make sure it functions properly. Apply a thin coat of grease to sliding parts and pins.
Installation is reverse of removal. You need to adjust the parking brake cable once installed.


Courtesy of Bentley lol.

[CarbonBlkE36]

the cables should last u the life of the car...... if ur adjusting the cable ur not doing the right thing, u need to adjust the shoes..... if u don't know how to, may want to have a pro do it.

[rcM3]

To replace the cable:


Raise rear of car and remove wheels
Remove rear brake caliper and rotor
Inside the car, lift parking brake lever boot out of console. Remove cable adjusting nuts.
Remove parking brake shoes (described in next section)
Disconnect cable from parking brake actuator and then remove parking brake cable from cable holder on trailing arm.
Slide cable out of housing (you might have to remove the muffler to access the cable)
Installation is the reverse of removal. You'll need to adjust the parking brake now (you said you had a DIY on this, so I won't include that part)


To replace the shoes:

Raise rear of car and remove the rear wheels. (make sure the jack stands are under the structural chassis points, not suspension components)
Without disconnecting the brake fluid hose, remove the rear brake calipers from trailing arms. Remove rear brake rotors. (Don't let the caliper assembly hang from the hose, use a thick wire or something to support it)
Unhook upper return spring from brake shoes. Remove shoe retainers by pushing them in and rotating 1/4 turn. If you have trouble removing the retainers you can buy the BMW special tool no. 34 4 000.
Spread shoes apart and lift them out. (the shoe expander pivot pin in the brake actuator may fall out.)
Inspect shoe expander to make sure it functions properly. Apply a thin coat of grease to sliding parts and pins.
Installation is reverse of removal. You need to adjust the parking brake cable once installed.


Courtesy of Bentley lol.

Thank you very much.

[argento]

More Info:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=431139&highlight=notes+emergency+brake

jjr

[Dinanify]

I know this is a very old post, but I just changed out my parking brake (First time, it was destroyed, long story).

Question: Even with the tumbler:adjuster all the way in (adjusted so that the parking brake ring is at its smallest diameter), there is a slight rub on the rotor as I rotate it.

Is this ok/normal? I'm guessing that it is, and that the first time out, that it will 'correct' (wear the parts that touch, and self correct). Guessing that since the pad is new, and not perfectly shaped (mine are ATE brand, rotors are brembo slotted) that this is normal, but wanted to make sure.

[Dinanify]

checked with a friend of mine, sounds like it is normal.