[mikeywarduk]

I've got a e90 and I've brought rear new disc pads and handbrake shoes I've adjusted the rear handbrake shoes manually on the adjuster and locked the spring under the handbrake but I keep having to adjust them could the cable be stretched if so how can I tell any help much appreciated

[Silver Streek]

Before setting the pads in the correct place with the adjuster wheel you should slacken off the handbrake cables. This can be done by lifting the handbrake gator i think. You can then see the two cables with the adjuster nuts.
If you do this then once the pads are adjusted correctly you can adjust the slack out of the handbrake with the cable adjuster nuts. It is suggested you adjust the cable until the handbrake pulls up by a certain amount of clicks untill the handbrake is fully on. From memory its about 5 or 7 clicks.
This should take up any stretching of the cables so you dont have to keep adjusting the shoes.

[mikeywarduk]

Thanks for the reply I haven't got the 2 nuts with the adjusters I've took the centre console out

[Sayek]

Originally Posted by mikeywarduk

Thanks for the reply I haven't got the 2 nuts with the adjusters I've took the centre console out

The E90 hand brakes a pain. Unfortunately just adjusting is not enough. You need to remove the disc to expose the shoes and service them.

There are 2 screws with Allan key type head holding the shoes. If you remove these 2 screws it will allow freely move the shoes and apply some copper grease on the points the shoes are resting. Careful not to get any grease on the braking surface.

Put everything back and adjust the brake as needed. Good as new

I found couple YouTube guide for E46. The bakes shoes are identical on E90.

[mikeywarduk]

Thanks for the reply I've put the copper grease on the points before I put the new shoes on do the cables stretch much on the e90s as that's the only thing I haven't changed also someone mentioned about the 2 screws to adjust the handbrake but don't no if that not on the pre lci as I haven't got that

[Daviebrown]

Even though there are no adjusting nuts at the handbrake lever there is still a method to release the tension prior to adjustment at the wheel. Google is your friend.

[mikeywarduk]

Yeah I have released the tension with the locking spring underneath the handbrake

[MrSweet1991]

Originally Posted by mikeywarduk

Yeah I have released the tension with the locking spring underneath the handbrake

Same issue for me mate, it's absolute shite. When I removed my rear subframe and had all the parts in bags I disassembled both adjustors so they where sparkly clean and greased it do it would adjust with ease and then copper greased the contact points behind the shoes but while the handbrake works its still crap. I often wondered the same as you with the possibility that the cable is stretched or whether I need new shoes.

Oh and just a quick tip which saved me so much sweating and anger, use a trolley jack handle to push the spring back to release the handbrake. I was using flat head screwdriver before and omd what a nightmare

[Tambohamilton]

In my experience, don't replace the shoes unless they need it. New shoes take forever to bed in, even with a bit of driving with the handbrake on, using the handbrake to slow down, etc. Hate adjusting the handbrake...my tack is to adjust until the wheel doesn't spin freely, then back off until it just has a bit of drag (brake still binding slightly). I think e9xs have a rep for shite handbrakes, because mine has never been good but I've never been pulled up for it at an MOT.

[Sayek]

Originally Posted by mikeywarduk

Thanks for the reply I've put the copper grease on the points before I put the new shoes on do the cables stretch much on the e90s as that's the only thing I haven't changed also someone mentioned about the 2 screws to adjust the handbrake but don't no if that not on the pre lci as I haven't got that

Maybe this video help you find the 2 screws under the handbrake lever. But I have never touched those 2 screws to adjust the handbrake.

[mikeywarduk]

I haven't got those 2 adjuster screws next to the handbrake they must be on the lci as mine is a pre lci

[Sayek]

Originally Posted by mikeywarduk

I haven't got those 2 adjuster screws next to the handbrake they must be on the lci as mine is a pre lci

My E92 is late 2010 LCI and never even checked for those 2 adjusters .

I only adjust via the screw next between the shoes.

[Daviebrown]

https://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tec..._Adjusting.htm

[HighlandPete]

Whatever you do make sure the cables do release freely (after hooking the auto adjuster) and you can get both of the drum lever assemblies back to the correct start point. If you don't, is not going to adjust in a reliable way first time.

Most adjustment/handbrake efficiency issues are due to not starting the adjustment with the lever assemblies in a fully 'relaxed' position.