loose handbrake

max_asdf · 11-14-2009, 01:33 PM

i dont know how this happened, but my handbrake seems to be loose. kind of feels loose, dont know how to explain it.

when you rasie it to the first 'level' that clicks and holds the handbrake, the red light symbol on the dash will flash on once, and turn off.

until you go past the first click/level the handbrake light wont permanantly stay on in red on the dash. on the 2nd and above, it works fine. when in 'D' handbrake on the first level isnt enough to stop the car or even slow down, takes up to 3 clicks before the car wont move by itself when engaged in D. this normal? now i have to

the loaners ive been in, dont have this problem. the first parking level engagement is already strong enough to keep the car still.

anyone one else feel this?

ive taken it into the dealership and noted the problem, they said i would need to pay to fix the problem as braking systems are not included in the warranty.

FCP Euro · 11-16-2009, 09:39 PM

Overtime, the parking brake will wear and will need more then 1 or 2 clicks for it to start to engage. Most cars that I have had needed at least 3 clicks for it to start to engage. If it bothers you, you can have the brake adjusted.

jopa489 · 11-16-2009, 10:43 PM

Very common "problem" on almost all BMWs, dating back to the E30 and E36 (maybe even before). It wears out, but can usually be adjusted and tightened up.

Alexander · 11-16-2009, 10:56 PM

my handbrake blows, and I've only got 36k miles. I really need to take it in to get fixed.

FCP Euro · 11-17-2009, 03:03 PM

It seems to be an issue with a lot of Euro cars. The Volvos have the same issue a long with audi and VW.

Al Star · 12-03-2009, 03:08 PM

Anyone done a DIY handbrake adjustment show how on the forum..?

I had my 320d roll out the driveway this evening when I got out it. Handbrake was on but when I jumped in I had to give it a hard yank up tae stop it rolling across the road. Thankfully no damage done and had a laugh after.

Any pics of how to adjust on the e90 handbrake would be appreciated.

Rgds Al Star

samchoi604 · 04-06-2010, 02:52 AM

Bump. I'm having this exact same problem.. also when releasing (lowering) the handbrake, sometimes I need to apply force to push it fully down. There's like 0.5inch of movement left to be 'pushed down'. All in all, it feels like my handbrake feels cheap and about to break. Any DIY on how to adjust it as mentioned?

jsn124 · 04-06-2010, 03:28 PM

Definitely interested in any DIYs on this.

Not a thread hijack but on this topic: for 6MT drivers I'm assuming you leave your car in first gear even if you engage your parking break?

awei130 · 04-06-2010, 08:34 PM

I had this same problem at 5k I could pull my handbrake up all the way without putting any force to it. I took it to the dealership and have them adjust the handbrake and that fixed the issue.

e90pilot · 04-06-2010, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsn124

Definitely interested in any DIYs on this.

Not a thread hijack but on this topic: for 6MT drivers I'm assuming you leave your car in first gear even if you engage your parking break?

First most of the time and reverse on really steep hills like the ones in San Francisco.

tintivilus · 04-13-2010, 12:16 AM

I thought E9x was supposed to have a "self adjusting" handbrake? On the E46 there are a pair of hex nuts under the boot that you can tighten to take up slack in the cables, but I've never actually checked my E92.

Nr!qUe · 04-16-2010, 06:46 PM

BUMP.

I want to see a DIY for adjusting the brake

11-14-2009, 01:33 PM	#1
max_asdf Private First Class 23 Rep 176 Posts Drives: e90 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: ca iTrader: (1)	loose handbrake i dont know how this happened, but my handbrake seems to be loose. kind of feels loose, dont know how to explain it. when you rasie it to the first 'level' that clicks and holds the handbrake, the red light symbol on the dash will flash on once, and turn off. until you go past the first click/level the handbrake light wont permanantly stay on in red on the dash. on the 2nd and above, it works fine. when in 'D' handbrake on the first level isnt enough to stop the car or even slow down, takes up to 3 clicks before the car wont move by itself when engaged in D. this normal? now i have to the loaners ive been in, dont have this problem. the first parking level engagement is already strong enough to keep the car still. anyone one else feel this? ive taken it into the dealership and noted the problem, they said i would need to pay to fix the problem as braking systems are not included in the warranty.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

11-16-2009, 09:39 PM	#2
FCP Euro Lieutenant 10 Rep 462 Posts Drives: Volvo 850 T5 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Old Saybrook, CT iTrader: (0)	Overtime, the parking brake will wear and will need more then 1 or 2 clicks for it to start to engage. Most cars that I have had needed at least 3 clicks for it to start to engage. If it bothers you, you can have the brake adjusted. __________________ sales@fcpeuro.com FCP Euro - European Car Parts Specialists
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-16-2009, 10:43 PM	#3
jopa489 Major General 127 Rep 6,594 Posts Drives: Anything with Wheels Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA iTrader: (9)	Very common "problem" on almost all BMWs, dating back to the E30 and E36 (maybe even before). It wears out, but can usually be adjusted and tightened up. __________________ X7 LCI // Incoming C7 ZR1 ZTK // Sebring + TRX // Hydro + Raptor Gen1 Roush // Tuxedo
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-16-2009, 10:56 PM	#4
Alexander Mad tyte EuR0 style boooi <--- Joke 254 Rep 2,472 Posts Drives: E30, E85, MKVI Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Deal's Gap iTrader: (0)	my handbrake blows, and I've only got 36k miles. I really need to take it in to get fixed.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-17-2009, 03:03 PM	#5
FCP Euro Lieutenant 10 Rep 462 Posts Drives: Volvo 850 T5 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Old Saybrook, CT iTrader: (0)	It seems to be an issue with a lot of Euro cars. The Volvos have the same issue a long with audi and VW. __________________ sales@fcpeuro.com FCP Euro - European Car Parts Specialists
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-03-2009, 03:08 PM	#6
Al Star New Member 5 Rep 18 Posts Drives: E90 320d 2005 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ayrshire iTrader: (0)	Anyone done a DIY handbrake adjustment show how on the forum..? I had my 320d roll out the driveway this evening when I got out it. Handbrake was on but when I jumped in I had to give it a hard yank up tae stop it rolling across the road. Thankfully no damage done and had a laugh after. Any pics of how to adjust on the e90 handbrake would be appreciated. Rgds Al Star
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-06-2010, 02:52 AM	#7
samchoi604 Colonel 64 Rep 2,334 Posts Drives: black on black Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Burnaby, BC iTrader: (3)	Bump. I'm having this exact same problem.. also when releasing (lowering) the handbrake, sometimes I need to apply force to push it fully down. There's like 0.5inch of movement left to be 'pushed down'. All in all, it feels like my handbrake feels cheap and about to break. Any DIY on how to adjust it as mentioned?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-06-2010, 03:28 PM	#8
jsn124 Enlisted Member 4 Rep 30 Posts Drives: 2010 328xi (E90) SGM Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Definitely interested in any DIYs on this. Not a thread hijack but on this topic: for 6MT drivers I'm assuming you leave your car in first gear even if you engage your parking break?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-06-2010, 08:34 PM	#9
awei130 Banned 212 Rep 2,490 Posts Drives: E46, E92, 987 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: SOCAL iTrader: (19)	I had this same problem at 5k I could pull my handbrake up all the way without putting any force to it. I took it to the dealership and have them adjust the handbrake and that fixed the issue.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-13-2010, 12:16 AM	#11
tintivilus Lieutenant Colonel 26 Rep 1,826 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lake County, IL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E92 335i [0.00] 2003 325i [0.00]	I thought E9x was supposed to have a "self adjusting" handbrake? On the E46 there are a pair of hex nuts under the boot that you can tighten to take up slack in the cables, but I've never actually checked my E92.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-16-2010, 06:46 PM	#12
Nr!qUe Captain 79 Rep 975 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 LCI 328i 6MT Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (3)	BUMP. I want to see a DIY for adjusting the brake __________________ 2009 BMW E90 328i \| Xenons \| MT \| Space Gray \| Beige-ette \| CF Fabric Trim \| iPod/USB \| 20% Tints \| Euro-Plate \| Rear Fog Switch Lego Mod \| Painted Reflectors \| Performance Short-shift Kit \| Style 197 Wheels \| OEM Sport Suspension \|
	Appreciate 0 Quote