emergency/hand brake

[E-30Dubbsz]

I tightened the two screws on the e-brake because my car would roll very easily if I park it in neutral. Now, it will stay on very small hills but thats about it, if i park anywhere else i have to leave it in gear. I want a strong e-brake, can anybody help?

-Dubbsz

[rfritz]

There is also a barrel typewithin the rear brake that can be rotated. Check out realoem.com for what I am talking about. If that doesn't work, probably time new parking brake shoes. I just did mine and replaced all of the parking brake assembly.

[strad]

IIRC the Bentley E30 manual does not describe how to do the ^^ correctly, but the E36 Bentley manual does.

[magnum2066]

I had my parking brake shoes replaced and also had them adjusted.  2 clicks of the ebrake and it is nearly 100% on.

[E-30Dubbsz]

would it be best to take it to the dealer then? I'm not sure if I am going to need new pads. Is there a way to look at the pad with ease. I'm in Canada and it's really cold outside:mad: don't want to be outside too long. Also a bit lazy I guess:p

[strad]

You need to remove the rotor in order to see the condition of the e-brake shoes.

[gearheadE30]

Just park it in gear until it gets warm outside. i don't trust my dealer with anything mechanical on a car like this that they don't work on on a regular basis. Especially stuff like this that seems to be unique to the car.

[RED IS 91]

very easy procedure in the bentley manual .
But if it's cold outside and your bmw is not taking a winters nap like mine and if your not terribly mechanically inclined then  take it to the dealer .They should be able to F**k it up in no time flat...............................
I'll see if I can scan the procedure for   you.

[RED IS 91]

Hope this helps ,aye

[RED IS 91]

I had the same problem .I did this about a month ago .very simple .
The hardest part is finding the star bolt through the bolt hole .

[E-30Dubbsz]

very easy procedure in the bentley manual .
But if it's cold outside and your bmw is not taking a winters nap like mine and if your not terribly mechanically inclined then  take it to the dealer .They should be able to F**k it up in no time flat...............................
I'll see if I can scan the procedure for   you.

I think i might just let it take a winters nap then. Just had a storm today anyway. Thanks to everyone for input and help.

[E-30Dubbsz]

Hope this helps ,aye

So I took a look at it this weekend and the font those instructions are pretty small. I have 4-wheel disc. Is there much of a difference in the instructions from the rear wheel drums?

[gearheadE30]

The car in the article is also 4-wheel-disc. The drums are actually within the brake disc hub, and press on that inside surface. This is why rear brake discs are a lot deeper than fronts.

[E-30Dubbsz]

alright, for starters the hand brake is only supposed to have 8 clicks max. and mine went to 18(big problem)so I went on a search for this adjuster, so i put the rear on jacks and loosened the adjustment bolts on the inside by the e-brake handle. Then, 2hrs later i found it, not even knowing how many times i was missing it. I was pretty upset because once i found it, it was dark and really cold outside and i was basically turning into ice. So, i will finish that project in a couple of days and thanks for everyones help. If I had a camera I would post pictures, not that it makes a difference because every time i try to post pics they always fail:(

[RED IS 91]

When I did mine I used a flashlight to see where the star was and then inserted my screwdriver to adjust .