E53 2004 - hand brake problem

[E53supreme]

Hi everyone recently got a X5 and have a few questions - my handbrake seems to pull up a little too much before it holds fast. Would this be the handbrake cable? Does anyone know of any remedies?

Thanks!

[X5Sport]

Could need the shoes adjusting at the back.  Only after you know they are correct should you then shorten the cable adjusters. I think there is an adjuster window on each rear drum which means taking the wheels off.  Never had to do mine (yet) on any of our BMWs

Oh and too 

Richard

[E53supreme]

Thanks Richard for advice

[Raj]

Adjust the shoes first. You can adjust the shoes by removing one wheel bolt and using a long flat blade screwdriver through the bolt hole to adjust the spindle. You can spin the wheel to locate the spindle (looks like a cog with the teeth pointing outwards towards you) then turn the cog using the screwdriver. Only small adjustments needed.

Once happy at this end you can adjust the cable under the handbrake to reduce the movement needed to apply handbrake.

[Denis O]

Considering how these hand brakes work/not work, I'd be wanting to have a look at the shoes to check on condition. Mine passed an MOT with an advisory on hand brake efficiency. 10 months later, in prep for the next MOT I had them looked at and they were appalling. New discs, pads and shoes later and all well.

Obviously try the adjustment first but be prepared for shagged shoes and it's pretty easy to get in there and see the extent of the degradation.

This is assuming the cars an auto and the hand brake never gets used.

[TimX5]

My pads were new when I got the x5 in may and the discs have loads of life in them but the handbrake is crap , so I stripped em down to have a look at the shoes , there not too bad but the discs are badly corroded on the inside where the shoes run , looks like previous owner never used the handbrake , so im replacing the discs and shoes.

[X5Sport]

Amazing how many people rely on just the 'park pawl' to keep their car stationary!  Not a fashion I follow having seen one break!  With no handbrake applied the car was off and away...... 

Richard

[E53supreme]

Raj thanks for the information I will try this on the wkend.

So do the shoes degrade if not used?

I would never leave the car unless the handbrake is on. When stationary I always apply the handbrake to take the 'weight' of the car and then select Park. I don't see the point in having a handbrake otherwise?  :blink:

[X5Sport]

Yes as they get wet and horrible.  I would have thought there would be enough heat from the discs to keep them dry and OK, but sadly not. 

Funnily enough I always used to put the X5 in 'P' and then engaged the handbrake but the X6 manual tells me to engage 'P', stop the engine and then apply the parking brake.  Not sure why.  Probably takes the pressure off something.

Richard

[davesavage257]

The inside of the discs that act as a drum for shoes is exposed so gathers muck and water and corrode away nicely.  The tip I was given years ago was to drive a few yards slowly with the handbrake lightly on every few weeks to keep the surface clean.  If the corrosion's not too bad, it can restore some of the lost efficiency.

Dave
2003 BMW X5 4.6iS Auto

[AW8]

An absolute pain to adjust and good luck doing it with wheel on. For starters you won't know which nut to remove. Once you find it after playing nut roulette you will struggle to get access and adjust with the wheel on. Barely visible with wheel off ! Imperative to remember which way to turn the adjuster and it differs each side. If you slacken off at the handbrake try to remember how may turns made each side. Do not do it from handbrake lever nuts only.....personally I would take it to someone who has done a few and bung them a few quid or some beer tokens. And yes I have tried to do this myself with mixed results. 

[Raj]

It is a good idea to every so often drive very slowly with handbrake engaged to clean the inside surface.

But it is quite straight forward to adjust with wheel on. Remove one bolt and with handbrake off you can spin the wheel to locate the adjuster. Then use a long flat blade screwdriver to turn the adjuster.