[dape90]

Hi All,

My E90 seems to be suffering with an intermittent handbrake issue. Every so often (about every 8th pull) the handbrake hardly moves. I am lucky to get a couple of clicks. Then it goes back to normal (normal being about 10 ish clicks) after a short drive.

The handbrake is releasing the rear brakes (or what I think are in disk hubs?) even when the handbrake is playing up.

Any thoughts?

Cheers

Dan

[rich1068]

I have something similar. I'm glad you mentioned this.

I don't let the handbrake 'click' ie I push the button in when pulling it up but sometimes it hardly seems to travel and other times the travel is noticeably more. Occasionally I get a half way action accompanied by a 'crack' as if the handbrake has slipped off the ratchet or that the handbrake is somehow stuck and I've pulled it passed a stop. Hard to describe and quite alarming. Sound familiar?

I can't offer a solution but it is one of the issues I'll be mentioning when my car goes in for its first service in a couple of weeks.

[doughboy]

Both my pre lci e90 and lci e91 have done this.

It almost feels like a self adjuster that keeps adjusting then slipping back, but I don't thinks ours is self adjusting.

Could be the cable(s) pushing out of its seat at one end and then catching on the lug shoulder.

Probably time for a brake strip and clean up.

[FRG]

I'm also glad you posted as mine does the same, sometimes feels loose as anything and then other times will hardly pull up. I don't know clicks as I press the button in but I would say sometimes no more than 2 probably

[rich1068]

The OP seems to have opened a bit of a Pandoras Box. I'll certainly be mentioning this now as it has all the hallmarks of an 'issue'.

[HighlandPete]

It is the automatic adjuster in the handbrake lever mechanism itself. It is know as the ASZE unit. The part with the hook in it, which you must engage against the spring, when you adjust the parking brake shoe clearance.

It does appear it plays up more when the handbrake is in need of adjustment. Why, I'm not sure, but suspect the cables drag in a variable way, allowing a random reset on the adjuster.

HighlandPete

[rich1068]

I love Pete's posts

[dape90]

I don't normally allow the handbrake to click, like you all I do push the button in, but I wanted to provide a sort of 'difference' other than, sometimes it goes up further than other times (which in contrast should probably mean a trip to the GP is in order rather than your local BMW dealer).

Anyway, I will see what happens during my next visit to my not so local dealer as my local one is worse than bad.
However, I have to agree that it does feel like a unseated cable end. Which is poor show for such a simple thing and a brand like BMW.

D

[rich1068]

Booked my car in for its first service and mentioned this. The service guy was well aware of it.

[mistryn]

I dont normally engage the handbrake unless I am on a steep slope. I just leave it in P if I am on a flat surface. But I have too noticed similar symptons as OP

[dape90]

Hi rich,

Can you let me know how it's goes when your cars goes for its service. If the hand brake is a simple fix under warranty I will get my car booked in. My e90 is getting worse, hand brake is now getting stiff to use as well!

Cheers

D

[nicktyler]

I have noticed this a few times as well.

[rich1068]

Originally Posted by dape90

Hi rich,

Can you let me know how it's goes when your cars goes for its service. If the hand brake is a simple fix under warranty I will get my car booked in. My e90 is getting worse, hand brake is now getting stiff to use as well!

Cheers

D

Will do.