<e36> assembling parking brake

[marcva]

It's been quite a while... Family life with covid had been very busy trying to keep wife and kids from killing each other.

I'm trying to get a new set of parking brake shoes on my car. Is there a trick to getting the springs on the shoes? Sequence of assembly? Find a gorilla? I tried using a couple zipties to get leverage. Needle nose pliers? Right.

Thanks

Marc Plante
1997 E36 m3/4/5, a 186k
Vienna, VA

[dworthy]

Marc,

Well the best trick I have found that works for me:

1) Assemble the adjustment screw and the top spring before install
2) With both shoes, work your way around the hub and get the shoes seated in the bottom adjuster.
3) Install the 2 5mm spring clips thru the shows into the backing plate.
4) Install one end of the lower spring, next you will need a long handle flat bladed screwdriver, BTW I like to use the side of the blade, not the flat.
5) Using said screwdriver pry from the backside of the hub and lever the spring into place. Push the end of the spring into the hole and remove the screwdriver.

Sometimes it will take a try or two to get the end in properly, but with the way it is made, most of the time you just need to push it in the rest of the way.

Good luck!

[marcva]

Marc,

Well the best trick I have found that works for me:

1) Assemble the adjustment screw and the top spring before install
2) With both shoes, work your way around the hub and get the shoes seated in the bottom adjuster.
3) Install the 2 5mm spring clips thru the shows into the backing plate.
4) Install one end of the lower spring, next you will need a long handle flat bladed screwdriver, BTW I like to use the side of the blade, not the flat.
5) Using said screwdriver pry from the backside of the hub and lever the spring into place. Push the end of the spring into the hole and remove the screwdriver.

Sometimes it will take a try or two to get the end in properly, but with the way it is made, most of the time you just need to push it in the rest of the way.

Good luck!

Sorry, I replied, but it did not take. I ended up buying a set of drum brake spring pliers which made a world of difference. The pliers provided a lot of leverage to stretch the actuator side spring onto the parking shoe. I tried with several different types of screwdrivers, but the specialized shape of the brake spring tool made a world of difference. The tool cost $6.99 at the local car parts store.

The issue that drove the repair was a slight rub that I felt only above 80 mph. The return springs were very rusted and my shoes were hanging against the rotor FTTT. Every 23 years or so, it pays to do a little maintenance, I suppose.

[shadowpuck]

i have long since reached a point where i'd rather spend to have the proper tool than try to do things without....maybe that's age or wisdom! haha....

glad you figured that out and got it fixed - that's one of those things that's really satisfying when you fix it.

[dworthy]

For me as a rule of thumb, I always replace the parking brake shoes when I replace the rear rotors. No if's and's or but's about it, otherwise the run the risk of the car coming back for the parking brake shoes having problems.