98' M Roadster Parking brake does not engage

**edoinfl** · 05-08-2023, 01:41 PM

Hello Community,

I recently replaced my soft top, and when I got home from the trim shop I was not able to engage the parking brake. When I pull up on the handle I feel the resistance of the brake cable and it stops the car from moving. However, the handle doesn't lock into place. It doesn't have the normal clicking increments as I pull up on the brake handle. I reached out to the trim shop and asked if replacing the top could have interfered with the parking brake. Naturally they said no! It doesn't seem that it would.
Two questions:
1) Could replacing the top have any connection to the parking brake issue?
2) Is this a DIY fix or does it require bringing to a mechanic?

As always, thank you for helping out

Cheers!

**zellamay** · 05-08-2023, 09:40 PM

I googled " z3 parking bfrake does not ratchet " and got a few answers, some are threads on this site.

**Hoyt Clagwell** · 05-08-2023, 10:59 PM

I would remove the hand brake boot and see what's going on in there.

**khammack** · 05-09-2023, 09:21 AM

Below are links to the Parking brake diagrams from Realoem.com. I don't know how it works, but the parking brake shoes diagram has a part (#3) called "Expanding lock" which, at least, sounds like it could be the problem.

Z3 M Handbrake lever
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=34_0550

Z3 M Parking brake/brake shoes
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=34_0930

**edoinfl** · 05-17-2023, 06:24 PM

My mechanic says that I need to replace the parking lever. Anyone here replaced one, themselves? Looks like I need to remove the rear part of the center console and disconnect the two cables from the assembly. Anything else I need to be aware of or should I give to my mechanic at $150+/hr to replace?
Thanks

**CoconutPete** · 05-17-2023, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by edoinfl

Anything else I need to be aware of or should I give to my mechanic at $150+/hr to replace?

You really need to include some info about whether or not you are handy, have tools, feel like tackling this yourself, or if you are a person who hires everything out.

**bluptgm3** · 05-17-2023, 09:50 PM

Also the lead end can come off the pull cable. It would be odd for it to happen to both sides. The end of #1 inserts thru #5, from the diagram supplied above.

**Hoyt Clagwell** · 05-17-2023, 10:03 PM

1) Could replacing the top have any connection to the parking brake issue?
2) Is this a DIY fix or does it require bringing to a mechanic?

1) There should be no connection between replacing the top and a parking brake issue. That said, there should be no need to take a car out for a test drive after installing new tires and yet, as I sat in the waiting room, I saw my car come speeding into the garage's parking lot. 'no more business for them.

2) Have you even taken the boot off to see what's going on in there? It's been a while since I looked at mine for an adjustment but as I recall, it's a pretty simple mechanism.

**edoinfl** · 05-22-2023, 09:16 PM

Does anyone know if its possible to remove the parking brake lever without removing the entire center console? Is there enough space to remove the mechanism by lifting up on the rear portion of the console?

**Hoyt Clagwell** · 05-23-2023, 12:03 AM

Remove the brake lever handle, (It just pulls off) then remove the brake lever boot. I'm pretty sure the whole thing can be removed through the hole in the console.

Screenshot_2023-05-22 RealOEM com - Online BMW Parts Catalog.png

**KeysCoupe** · 05-23-2023, 01:12 AM

I’m guessing your brake lever pulled up 7-8 or more “clicks” of the ratchet pawl before it started to actuate the brakes?
When your parking brake shoes wear, and you do not adjust the cable adjusting nut to compensate for the wear, your parking brake lever can over-extend. This causes the ratchet pawl (controlled by the push-button on the end) to flip out of the linkage so it no longer catches on the ratchet teeth.
You need to disconnect the cables (console end) and play with the button and the pawl to get them correctly re-engaged. You can then reconnect the cables and adjust them properly.
-Donny

**Hoyt Clagwell** · 05-23-2023, 01:31 AM

I believe 3 to 4 clicks up is spec.

**sleeperz** · 05-23-2023, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by Hoyt Clagwell

1) There should be no connection between replacing the top and a parking brake issue. That said, there should be no need to take a car out for a test drive after installing new tires and yet, as I sat in the waiting room, I saw my car come speeding into the garage's parking lot. 'no more business for them.

Hum... Maybe the driver was using the parking brake to do some slides or drifts?

**bluptgm3** · 05-23-2023, 07:15 PM

Originally Posted by KeysCoupe

I’m guessing your brake lever pulled up 7-8 or more “clicks” of the ratchet pawl before it started to actuate the brakes?
When your parking brake shoes wear, and you do not adjust the cable adjusting nut to compensate for the wear, your parking brake lever can over-extend. This causes the ratchet pawl (controlled by the push-button on the end) to flip out of the linkage so it no longer catches on the ratchet teeth.
You need to disconnect the cables (console end) and play with the button and the pawl to get them correctly re-engaged. You can then reconnect the cables and adjust them properly.
-Donny

And I would loosen the cables and pull the rear rotors to check ‘shoe’ material thickness.
Then properly adjust the star nut (#6) that sets the initial shoe/rotor clearance, then set the cable lengths at the handle.

**German56** · 06-03-2023, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by edoinfl

Does anyone know if its possible to remove the parking brake lever without removing the entire center console? Is there enough space to remove the mechanism by lifting up on the rear portion of the console?

I successfully just did it. Used an extension with a swivel at the end. I lifted the rear of the console approximately 6 inches and was able to remove and reinstall the bolts. Difficult but doable.