Im trying to get the handbrake cables off my rear disc'd E30. Took the nuts off the lever ends of the cables, got the discs, shoes and other gubbins off, even had the foresight to spray some wd40 down the tubes from the lever end. They both pulled out about 10" then stopped. Sort of ground to a halt rather than stopping dead. Can't push them back in to try again. Have a feeling continuing to pull is going to make matters worse . . . . .
Please help.
what have i done wrong?
Moderator: martauto
That's an odd one. Worst case scenario is the guide tubes have rusted and are hampering the cables in some way. You could try pushing something like a flexible but stiff wire down from the lever end to try to force them out. Failing that, a bit of brute force and yank them out.
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Von_Thrash
- E30 Zone Newbie
- Posts: 80
- Joined: Sat Jul 11, 2009 11:00 pm
The cables have dissapeared down the guide tubes, and i've had both feet braced against the hub while i tug on the wheel end of the cable 
Fearing the worst i've just rung the dealers for a price on cables. The man says the inner and outer come as one, "you can't seperate them". That would make sense if the wheel end of the cable would pass through the back plate, but it doesn't, . . . . does it?
Fearing the worst i've just rung the dealers for a price on cables. The man says the inner and outer come as one, "you can't seperate them". That would make sense if the wheel end of the cable would pass through the back plate, but it doesn't, . . . . does it?
There are 2 ferrules that hold the cable in place. One at the guide tube and one that goes through the back plate. Are you sure you're not pulling against the back plate? It needs to be poked through the other way.
Hope this makes sense.
Hope this makes sense.
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Von_Thrash
- E30 Zone Newbie
- Posts: 80
- Joined: Sat Jul 11, 2009 11:00 pm
As in, the end of the cable that attaches to the brake shoes, should be poked through the backplate towards the centre of the car? . . . . 'cos that's not what im doing . . . .Ranchero wrote: It needs to be poked through the other way.
Yes. Probably easier if you cut off the cable attached to this end and use something to hammer the ferrule back through the hole. They often are difficult to remove on account of rust.
I used a large allen key. Not ideal but it worked. A stout bar or similar that fits the hole will also do the job.
When fitting the new cable a dab of copper grease on the ferrule will prevent them sticking again. In case you ever need to do the job again.
I used a large allen key. Not ideal but it worked. A stout bar or similar that fits the hole will also do the job.
When fitting the new cable a dab of copper grease on the ferrule will prevent them sticking again. In case you ever need to do the job again.
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Von_Thrash
- E30 Zone Newbie
- Posts: 80
- Joined: Sat Jul 11, 2009 11:00 pm
The ferrule on the end of the outer cable hasn't rusted into the back plate, it's out and loose. And the bit on the end of the cable is too big to be pushed through the backplate. If you have to cut it to remove it, how do you fit a new one??
You need to poke out the pin. Number 6 on diagram. It is just held in place freely and should respond to a bit of pressure.
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=34&fg=30
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=34&fg=30
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Von_Thrash
- E30 Zone Newbie
- Posts: 80
- Joined: Sat Jul 11, 2009 11:00 pm
Aaaaaahhh! How thick am i? 
You sir, have saved me further hours of grief, thankyou very much
You sir, have saved me further hours of grief, thankyou very much
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