E46 E-Brake adjustment doityourself

[danewilson77]

http://www.csfrancis.net/BMW/pbdiy.pdf

[Avetiso]

Ooh I need this. Thanks, boss.

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[danewilson77]

Sure thing.

This link was provided by Wolfy.

[Pip]

Perfect bump. I need this too!

[ELCID86]

How do you know you need it? Brake won't hold?

[Dave1027]

Is the e-brake adjuster mechanism self adjusting? It is on my other two vehicles.

[Asiah119]

I tried doing an adjustment on my parking brake when I did my rotors and pads some months ago with a slightly different procedure (I think it was to pull the lever up 4\6 clicks. I seem to keep losing tension because depending on my car's mood it wont hold. Guess I'll have to revisit that when it gets warmer.

[Vas]

I had done this procedure however I did not remove the wheels. Just used on of the lug holes.

After the adjustment, my parking brake begins to hold at 2 clicks and fully locked at 5 clicks. Before, the parking break handle used to go to the point where it hit the armrest. :facepalm

[WOLFN8TR]

I'm going to do this today. Hope it also solves my annoying brake rattle. It goes away when I slightly pull up the E brake handle. We shall see.

[Crickett]

Great write-up and pics! That’s exactly the procedure and specifications outlined in the TIS that I used to adjust mine. I, too, had no luck at all in finding/accessing the shoe adjustment screw with the wheels in place, but I didn’t need to remove the rotors. I also couldn’t seem to get my right shoe to expand, so I suspect I might need to replace it next time my brakes are due (might also try again but remove the rotor to get a good look at what’s going on).


How do you know you need it? Brake won't hold?

That or you need to pull the lever excessively far (more than 7–8 notches) to get it to hold.


Is the e-brake adjuster mechanism self adjusting? It is on my other two vehicles.

Not to my knowledge (and given that this is the official adjustment procedure, I’d say it’s not).


Before, the parking break handle used to go to the point where it hit the armrest. :facepalm

Ditto! That’s just a smidge too loose …

[ELCID86]

That or you need to pull the lever excessively far (more than 7–8 notches) to get it to hold.

Thanks. Mine feels good.

[WOLFN8TR]

Just finished up. Before adjustment my E brake was around 6-7 notches now 2-3. Much better! Gonna take it for a spin and see if that annoying rattle is gone.

Rattle is Gone!! I've been chasing that rattle for over a year, so much better!!

[danewilson77]

Nice wolfy.

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[johnrando]

+1