[coopersim]

Can someone give me some advice on how to clean the handbrake shoes/pads?

[creepy coupe]

Why do you want to clean them?

[coopersim]

Two years of MOT advisories

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by coopersim

Two years of MOT advisories

Are they saying the handbrake is ineffective?


You will need to remove
Brake caliper
Caliper mounting bracket
Disc

[coopersim]

Yeah, I've got an imbalance on the handbrake, foolishly, after I got this last year I booked it in with BMW for a rear brake service, 12 months on, they're now telling me that "service of the handbrake components is extra" typical

Thanks for the advice, sounds like it's within my abilities!

[idnan]

More than likely you will need to just adjust the rear handbrake. It can be done with the disc on but it is a bit fiddely. It is the same as all the old BMWs, only difference is that to slacken the cables you need to push a screwdriver into the mechanism under the handbrake lever with the gaiter removed:

http://www.bmwownersclub.com/forums/...g-brake-shoes/

[ed330D]

I take it you are aware that the handbrake uses shoes not pads, ie it's a drum brake not a disc brake. As such it gets relatively light use, so the drum can get a coating of rust and dirt.

To clear it off, drive slowly in first gear (5-10 mph), make sure there's nothing behind you, and pull the hand brake hard. Repeat this untill it locks the rear wheels. I had to do this on a regular basis with my Z4, but my E92 has been fine so far, touch wood

If this fails you will probably need to strip the brake and lubricate the pivots etc. There's pleanty of DIY if you do a forum search.

[coopersim]

Originally Posted by ed330D

I take it you are aware that the handbrake uses shoes not pads, ie it's a drum brake not a disc brake. As such it gets relatively light use, so the drum can get a coating of rust and dirt.

To clear it off, drive slowly in first gear (5-10 mph), make sure there's nothing behind you, and pull the hand brake hard. Repeat this untill it locks the rear wheels. I had to do this on a regular basis with my Z4, but my E92 has been fine so far, touch wood

If this fails you will probably need to strip the brake and lubricate the pivots etc. There's pleanty of DIY if you do a forum search.

That sounds very dodgy, plus how would the rear wheels lock up while driving along in a rear wheel drive car?

[coopersim]

Originally Posted by idnan

More than likely you will need to just adjust the rear handbrake. It can be done with the disc on but it is a bit fiddely. It is the same as all the old BMWs, only difference is that to slacken the cables you need to push a screwdriver into the mechanism under the handbrake lever with the gaiter removed:

http://www.bmwownersclub.com/forums/...g-brake-shoes/

Cheers for that

[ed330D]

Originally Posted by coopersim

That sounds very dodgy, plus how would the rear wheels lock up while driving along in a rear wheel drive car?

The instruction on how to clear the handbrake was givin in the Z4 driver's manual.

Try dipping the clutch as you use the handbrake - how on earth do you think you do handbrake turns!!!!

[coopersim]

Originally Posted by ed330D

The instruction on how to clear the handbrake was givin in the Z4 driver's manual.

Try dipping the clutch as you use the handbrake - how on earth do you think you do handbrake turns!!!!

Errr, it's an automatic

[xenon]

You can clean them by driving but I wouldn't pull on the handbrake hard. On an empty road slow to an almost stop from about 30mph several times by gently pulling up on the handbrake with the ratchet button depressed.

[oldbilly]

the drum type shoes have a very thin brake lining stuck with adesive to the shoe itself, they have very little usage, only when stationary and should last for years, unlike the coventional type brake shoes, what you have to be careful off is if pulling the hand brake on at speed and due to age the brake lining can come adrift from the shoes and break up inside the drum and will need to be replaced, they will not be cheap! the best way is strip the caliper off and remove the disc, this will allow you to clean and lubricate the mechanism and adjust them in the proper manner.

[tmarshall57]

Remove the rear discs and clean (sandpaper) the drums and shoes to remove any rust/contamination

Have a look at this for correct adjustment. If the adjustment is not correct the handbrake lever will not be effective.

http://www.bmwland.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?p=925455

[fastloop]

Originally Posted by tmarshall57

Remove the rear discs and clean (sandpaper) the drums and shoes to remove any rust/contamination[/url]

Removing the rear discs can be a b*tch depending on how much of a rust lip the disc may have. Getting the discs off took some serious persuasion with a rubber mallet when I replaced my discs the last time. So in theory removing the screw that holds the disc and removing the disc should be easy, however should can lead to a lot of and frustration.

Don't forget to put the handbrake cable into "maintenance mode". You need to lift up the gaiter at the lever and with a extra long screwdriver push the spring until the hook engages and releases tension on the cable. Just push the spring that looks like a screw. The hook will pop out next to the groove you are pushing on. To release the hook, lever it out... the hook is right next to the groove you pushed the screw on.