Handbrake not working? :(

BMW9952 · 07-21-2012, 05:13 AM

Hello everyone,

I recently bought my 1.8 Compact ti, and over the last week or so the handbrake has literally stopped working? i pull up and the car still moves foreword or backwards?

Any help on what it could be or how to sort it would be really appreciated as i'd rather fix it than have to take to a garage?

Many thanks

dmax · 07-21-2012, 05:38 AM

Check cables under handbrake first...I assume their both intact. Do not just randomly tighten them unless you can pull out the cables...they should just be lightly snug.

Then you actually go to work on trying things that might actually help.

First, when moving at 20 mph, pull up on the handles...this will clean the brakes, and might be why they're not holding.

Failing that, then try adjusting them...just remove one wheel bolt to do this adjustment...many diys around for that.

Failing that, you remove rotor and look underneath at handbrake mechanism. Worst is usually just that you maybe broke a spring or something.

Odds are that it just needs to be adjusted though...kind of a pitb but not difficult, per se.

BMW9952 · 07-21-2012, 05:54 AM

Thanks for the help

not going to lie, i didnt really understand it haha, silly question but is there a guide or anything to this?

bAby norAA · 07-21-2012, 06:40 AM

http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tech...Adjustment.htm

BMW9952 · 07-21-2012, 07:56 AM

Thats brilliant mate, thankyou

07-21-2012, 05:13 AM	#1
BMW9952 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Norfolk Posts: 6 My Ride: E46 Coupe 320ci :)) View My Garage	Handbrake not working? :( Hello everyone, I recently bought my 1.8 Compact ti, and over the last week or so the handbrake has literally stopped working? i pull up and the car still moves foreword or backwards? Any help on what it could be or how to sort it would be really appreciated as i'd rather fix it than have to take to a garage? Many thanks

07-21-2012, 05:38 AM	#2
dmax Stay stock my friends! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Unit I Posts: 21,152 My Ride: '99 328i 1.03809 mu View My Garage	Check cables under handbrake first...I assume their both intact. Do not just randomly tighten them unless you can pull out the cables...they should just be lightly snug. Then you actually go to work on trying things that might actually help. First, when moving at 20 mph, pull up on the handles...this will clean the brakes, and might be why they're not holding. Failing that, then try adjusting them...just remove one wheel bolt to do this adjustment...many diys around for that. Failing that, you remove rotor and look underneath at handbrake mechanism. Worst is usually just that you maybe broke a spring or something. Odds are that it just needs to be adjusted though...kind of a pitb but not difficult, per se. __________________ This huge woman, like 400 pounds comes up to me and says, "Doug, I would rock your world." I replied, "but I need to breathe." The girl in my sig:http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...highlight=dmax

07-21-2012, 06:40 AM	#4
bAby norAA Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Vermont Posts: 479 My Ride: 01 BMW 330i View My Garage	http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tech...Adjustment.htm __________________ \| VF Supercharged \| Southbend Stage 2 Clutch \| ZHP Cams \| Technik Headers \|

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07-21-2012, 05:54 AM	#3
BMW9952 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Norfolk Posts: 6 My Ride: E46 Coupe 320ci :)) View My Garage	Thanks for the help not going to lie, i didnt really understand it haha, silly question but is there a guide or anything to this?

07-21-2012, 07:56 AM	#5
BMW9952 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Norfolk Posts: 6 My Ride: E46 Coupe 320ci :)) View My Garage	Thats brilliant mate, thankyou