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Handbrake adjustment.
Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 6:15 pm
by Rosc0PColtrane
I know about the two nuts under the handbrake handle, but vaguely remember there being another adjuster on the underside of the car? I'm changing the rear discs and wouldn't mind tightening the cable while I'm at it.
Answers in simple talk please!!

Re: Handbrake adjustment.
Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 6:21 pm
by daimlerman
With the wheel off,Nathan,if you rotate the hub and peer through the wheelbolt holes you may be lucky enough to spot a star shaped whatsit.You turn this using a thin screwdriver to move the handbrake shoes nearer/further from the drum.May be easier to locate the ajuster if you pull the drum off so that you can see just where it is, but the ajustment must be made with the drum on.
Re: Handbrake adjustment.
Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 6:23 pm
by Chris-W
And make sure you first back the nuts off at the lever to the point where they just take out the slack in cable.
Re: Handbrake adjustment.
Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 9:55 pm
by Rosc0PColtrane
Cheers. Does anyone know which way to spin the spinny thing?
Re: Handbrake adjustment.
Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 10:04 pm
by daimlerman
In simple speak,one way will bring the shoes closer to the drum,t'other way will move them away from the drum.. have a play... how is the 'bump' coming along? Eating coal yet?
Re: Handbrake adjustment.
Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 10:17 pm
by rj
n/s up to tighten
o/s down to tighten
and vice versa to loosen
Re: Handbrake adjustment.
Posted: Sat May 24, 2008 12:50 am
by gareth
it has to be said, it wasn't bmw's finest day when they designed the handbrake adjuster!
the way the wheel always has a few degrees of free play when the handbrake is on winds me up!
Re: Handbrake adjustment.
Posted: Sat May 24, 2008 3:53 am
by stevotheevo
same thing the other day, failed the mot on this, wheels off, move the disc so that a bolt hole is at the top, shine a torch through the hole, flat bladed screwdriver, N/S up and O/S down.
keep checking you can still move the disc by hand, when it becomes tighter that shoud do.
Re: Handbrake adjustment.
Posted: Sat May 24, 2008 4:45 pm
by Rosc0PColtrane
Cheers, looks like I was losening one, then tightening the other!!!
Bump is good Daimler, Just under 3 weeks to go!
Re: Handbrake adjustment.
Posted: Sat May 24, 2008 4:58 pm
by maxfield
Adjusting handbrakes can be a real cunt.
Really could do with adjusting mine, got a bit of time this week so might give it a go.
Re: Handbrake adjustment.
Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 3:09 pm
by Rosc0PColtrane
Small maglite and screwdriver essential MAx. Once you've got the hang of it slipping the clasp. it's fairly straightforward.
Re: Handbrake adjustment.
Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 5:26 pm
by stonesie
The way i do it is to wind it untill it grips, then give it a sharp crack with a small hammer as that shocks the shoes into a different position.
Then repeat untill the crack (closer to a hard tap really) nolonger frees it off, then back 1 on the adjuster and its job jobbed.
Ive never taken a handbrake up on the cable yet, they have to have a little slack with it fully off as keeping tension on the cable streatches it and IS a bodge.

Re: Handbrake adjustment.
Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 5:30 pm
by Rosc0PColtrane
Cheers dude, this is quite a conclusive thread!