[BimmerNugget]

I did a brake job on my 11' 328 sedan. Brand new rotors at all 4 corners and new front pads.

The handbrake became extremely loose after the brake job. I can pull it all the way to the top and it still does not engage car. There is basically ZERO resistance to the hand brake handle.

I followed the DIY hand brake adjustment guide from Pelican Parts, Youtube, and some on this forum but my hand brake is still not tight.

I pushed the service lock spring in, then tightened the passenger side by scrolling the wheel down and the driver side by scrolling up. I have scrolled it so many rotations but the rear wheel still spins freely.

What's going on? Am I scrolling the correct direction to tighten/loosen?

[snedanator]

I want to know this as well. Mine has been crap since I done mine 2 years ago.

[BSM n54iS]

Try reversing at 10'ish mph and using the hand brake to stop

[BravoJohny33]

100% sure you have 100% the right rotors for your model BMW. I had the same problem as you and it turned out shitty part store sent me rotors for the wrong model BMW. The rotors fit but they were to big where the e brake grabs.

[BimmerNugget]

Originally Posted by BdSM n54iS

Try reversing at 10'ish mph and using the hand brake to stop

Lol....I wouldn't be able to stop at all. The hand brake does not work, period! I can pull the lever all the way up and still nothing.

[BimmerNugget]

Originally Posted by BravoJohny33

100% sure you have 100% the right rotors for your model BMW. I had the same problem as you and it turned out shitty part store sent me rotors for the wrong model BMW. The rotors fit but they were to big where the e brake grabs.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm gonna go check the part number right now.

[BSM n54iS]

Originally Posted by BimmerNugget

Lol....I wouldn't be able to stop at all. The hand brake does not work, period! I can pull the lever all the way up and still nothing.

Try it... a few times. After that, then ya you got a problem

[BimmerNugget]

Part number for the rear rotors are Centric 12134091 (C-tek) from RockAuto. Rockauto says they fit 328i from 2007-2013. I assume this includes both Coupe and Sedan? I have a E90 sedan.

[BravoJohny33]

Originally Posted by BimmerNugget

Part number for the rear rotors are Centric 12134091 (C-tek) from RockAuto. Rockauto says they fit 328i from 2007-2013. I assume this includes both Coupe and Sedan? I have a E90 sedan.

rockauto is a pretty good company I am sure they are right. If you have your old rotors that would confirm if they are right or not.

[Wolf 335]

You have likely dislocated the parking brake shoe mechanism on the bottom or the cable slipped out of it.

Remove the discs and inspect all components of the parking brake.

[BimmerNugget]

Found out why my handbrake isn't working. RockAuto's catalog gave me wrong part.
Centric 12134091 is for Convertibles and Wagons (E93 and E91) not Sedans. Their stupid catalog didn't even mention the body style or have a little note saying its for verts and wagons. I'm gonna see if I can return it and get the correct part.

[e90yyc]

Glad you got this figured out. And thank you for sharing your experience.

RockAuto has always been great for me so I don’t even think twice. Now I’ll make sure to double-check PN’s!

[Pladi]

this is when you say Bravooo Johnyyy !! he got it lol

[Mrclean67]

I have the exact same problem after replacing rear rotors and pads, I used Bosch rotors, I'll have to check part number also.

[BimmerNugget]

Just an update, RockAuto took back the rotors without a fight even though I had already installed them and driven around 100 miles. They even paid for return shipping. They made me whole again, so I'm happy and will continue to use and recommend them.

I went ahead and ordered the rear rotors right after I got my refund, installed them in June and everything's been great ever since.

[tlow98]

Bingo, Rockauto is awesome.

And yeah, never trust a 3rd party for part verification. Go straight to bmw a la realoem.com then once you have good part info buy from cheapest/best supplier.

[BravoJohny33]

Originally Posted by BimmerNugget

Just an update, RockAuto took back the rotors without a fight even though I had already installed them and driven around 100 miles. They even paid for return shipping. They made me whole again, so I'm happy and will continue to use and recommend them.

I went ahead and ordered the rear rotors right after I got my refund, installed them in June and everything's been great ever since.

Lucky you. I installed mine and they rusted over in a few days and when I took them back the parts store guy laughed at me.

[Mrclean67]

Found out Amazon "vehicle checker" didn't know there are 2 different part numbers depending on whether it's a coupe\convertible or a sedan. They were good and shipped me the correct ones and an RMA label to return the others. Got my E brake back now👍

[avocet]

Originally Posted by BravoJohny33

Lucky you. I installed mine and they rusted over in a few days and when I took them back the parts store guy laughed at me.

What parts store? If they sold you the wrong part... Then it's the wrong part. I would escalate that.

[Fritzer]

Originally Posted by BimmerNugget

Lol....I wouldn't be able to stop at all. The hand brake does not work, period! I can pull the lever all the way up and still nothing.

Sounds like a broken cable to me.

[Fritzer]

Originally Posted by BimmerNugget

Just an update, RockAuto took back the rotors without a fight even though I had already installed them and driven around 100 miles. They even paid for return shipping. They made me whole again, so I'm happy and will continue to use and recommend them.

I went ahead and ordered the rear rotors right after I got my refund, installed them in June and everything's been great ever since.

Nevermind previous post! Glad you got it sorted!

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by tlow98

Bingo, Rockauto is awesome.

And yeah, never trust a 3rd party for part verification. Go straight to bmw a la realoem.com then once you have good part info buy from cheapest/best supplier.

The issue with Rock Auto's catalog is that they're usually dependent on the parts manufacturers for accuracy. I found this out while trying to order a center support bearing. There is no 2006 328i, it was the 325i (E90). There was also a 325Ci in 2006, which is an E46 chassis. Rock Auto shows identical lists of bearings for both models, however in that list are two different bearing types that aren't all compatible with both models. I checked some of the manufacturer websites and their catalogs also incorrectly indicate that the parts fit both models.

Fortunately in this case there are pictures of the parts and it's obvious to me which one is correct for my car, but this can be very confusing in cases where the part differences aren't as obvious to everyeone. When I replaced my valve cover gasket, I ordered the one that the Rock Auto catalog listed but it ended up being the wrong one since I needed the gasket for the magnesium valve cover. Rock Auto incorrectly listed one for the plastic cover as compatible with my car, and that's what I mistakenly ordered/received because I wasn't aware of the differences at that time.