Handbrake lever split!

[paultv]

I noticed that my handbrake lever looked off center, so pulled off the covers and found it has a split half way through - never seen this before - I'm not in the habit of performing handbrake turns either.



Paul

[Speedtouch]

Could have been nasty in a hill-climb or emergency situation. Good old metal fatigue, I guess...

[Satan]

You pleasure yourself with your left hand and have built up some muscle it seems.........

[Cloggy Saint]

I had the same on mine a couple of years ago. It's only thin metal and 30 years of being yanked will take it's toll eventually.

[paultv]

So buying a second hand one will probably result in the same failure - new is pretty pricey, but then also a major safety item.

Paul

[martauto]

Ive only heard of it two or three times so it could be well worth chancing a second hand one Paul.

Mart.

[paultv]

Got a "chancer" off the "bay" - lets see what shape it's in, meanwhile I'm off the road!

Paul

[Jesus325iTouring]

My first E30 did that, being I was penniless at the time, I fitted a piece of tube over it, job jobbed

[DanThe]

Rather than get the brakes to work properly, people just pull the lever harder

[Satan]

Rather than get the brakes to work properly, people just pull the lever harder

Never clean the cables up or use the adjusters under the lever cover.

[martauto]

Rather than get the brakes to work properly, people just pull the lever harder

Mart.

[paultv]

Bloomin' nightmare scenario now, getting the old cables out - found all sorts of horrendous issues with the outers, inners; no wonder the handle gave out!

Paul

[martauto]

Bloomin' nightmare scenario now, getting the old cables out - found all sorts of horrendous issues with the outers, inners; no wonder the handle gave out!

Paul

Could be best to change the lot Paul then you know it`s all OK. ?

Mart.

[Black_Op_88]

This happened me during the MOT test. Failed for faulty handbrake as the button stuck up inside the sleeve. When I returned home to investigate I realised that the handbrake had broken exactly like yours Paultv. I went to a breakers and go a new one for £20. I've no idea what a new OEM one would cost. I'm sure it would get us a laugh.

[paultv]

They are 160 quid or so, I got one off the bay, it came this morning, looks in good shape for 15 euro's.

I did buy a new handle (plastic bit ) which looks the dogs, and a new gaiter which also looks great - very cheap from the BMW dealer here.

So I just have to replace the cables ( f'ing impossible ) then I'm back on the road!

Paul

[corkie]

this also happened mine bought one off a zoner for a tenner !

[paultv]

quick update - got the handbrake lever and new plastic handle,gaiter fitted. After many days of cursing I managed to extract the sorry remains of the old cables, mostly using brute force and a small but powerful Bosch drill.

Setting up the parking brake shoes is a bit of a pig with an LSD, hard to tell when the shoes are biting as there's so much drag - no chance to simply spin the hub.

Any road up - managed a ropy handbrake turn type event on a wet hill - so it works!

Paul