handbrakes

Tue Oct 02, 2007 8:48 pm

i got a problem with my handbrake doesnt seem to work and i can smell something as i drive the car coming from the rear, and when i drive the car doesnt feel free its like draging any ideas wot it can be? thanks

Tue Oct 02, 2007 9:32 pm

Hi I would say your handbrake is binding,is the back wheels hot after a drive?If so a complete strip down of your handbrake is required.You will have to tell which E30 you have for proper help.

Tue Oct 02, 2007 9:37 pm

yes m8 i think the wheels do go hot hence the smell, and its like the car doesnt want to go anywhere in drive (automatic) its struggling to move like kind of thing, the car is a 320i 6 cylinder automatic im sure its a m20 engine and has rear drums instead of discs, could it b the handbrake cable bcoz the handbrake doesnt seem to be doin anything? thx

Wed Oct 03, 2007 11:13 am

Hi I have a 320i auto and it has rear discs/drum for the handbrake.Have you had the wheels off yet to have a look?I would bet that the handbrake has seized on.You will have to take the drums off and investigate what has seized up then replace/repair.I am no expert but I am sure someone with more knowledge will be along to help.

Wed Oct 03, 2007 11:27 am

On E30's with drum brakes, the handbrake works on the brake shoes. This can be adjusted from inside the car (theres two 10mm nuts on the handbrake lever). However, this will only help if the shoes aren't already knackered!

Wed Oct 03, 2007 11:30 am

Drum braked cars have self-adjusting handbrakes. The two nuts on the handbrake cables at the lever aren't for adjustment, just for taking the slack out of the cable.

Sounds like you have a seized quadrant.

Wed Oct 03, 2007 11:37 am

Chris-W wrote:Drum braked cars have self-adjusting handbrakes. The two nuts on the handbrake cables at the lever aren't for adjustment, just for taking the slack out of the cable.

Sounds like you have a seized quadrant.

Cheers Chris. I bow to your greater knowledge!

Wed Oct 03, 2007 5:57 pm

thanks for all the replys lads, bcoz i dont have knowledge on this i took it to my local mechanic and he says he wil have a luk at it on the weekend so until then i wil b driving my vectra to work etc, when he has checked wot the problem was i wil get back to u guys, as i dont think i can drive the car as sumthin seems to b stoping it from moving freely.