Randomly engaging e-brake caused problems...

[Neohostus]

Driving home from school on a rainy day, the e-brake engaged while I was moving at a moderately low speed, and I curbed my car, also hitting a bush. The front valence is bent, mostly on the right side, and slight warps in metal continue all the way up to above the wheel well. The hood is also slightly bent, and so is my wheel. =.=
   Firstly, what would cause my e-brake to gradually destroy itself? It began as only slight engagement, and the level of engagement increased over time. I thought I had fixed this problem by messing with the cables, but I obviously hadn't, although the symptom never occurred until the incident. The interesting thing is that the components on both sides were broken. After inspecting my e-brakes, I found that the springs holding the shoes in place has been shredded on both sides. How exactly would that cause the e-brake to engage? I proceeded to remove my brake shoes, and all necessary components.
   Or so I had thought. The hinges were left in place, because my father told me that they'd be fine, and they both ended up being sucked into my rotors, lodged between rotor and brake shield. Are there any techniques of replacing shields that require smaller amounts of disassembly? I have a metal nibbler, and other pneumatic tools...

[1991 E30 M42]

As far as I know, to replace the shields properly you have to remove the hub unless you install it in two pieces which may or may not work. You could also cut them off and leave them off which is what I did with mine, as I kept having issues with rocks getting stuck in between the rotor and the shield. With the emergency brake, I would replace all of the hardware because it is more often then not neglected and never replaced even though it is a wear item that should be looked at every time you replace your pads and/or rotors. As far as it engaging on its own, I have a feeling that the springs were the cause, if they break then there is nothing holding the shoes away from the drum. If you need a rim shoot me a P.M..

[Neohostus]

I bent my wheel back most of the the way... The old towel and lumber trick...
Thanks though. xD

The brake shields are pretty thin metal, and I'm thinking I might try to nibble through them at the point of thinnest radius, and then try bending them around.

Now I'm just wondering if it is possible to only buy the glass piece for a fog light? Mine cracked... But the rest of it is fine...

And I'll also start looking for new passenger side front panel, a new hood, a new bumper, and such. =.=

[1991 E30 M42]

I do not think that you can buy the glass alone for the fog lights but you can purchase aftermarket plastic replacements. With the fender try to buy a used one or or at least one made by BMW, I have had issues in the past with aftermarket fenders not lining up in the past.