XSeries-forum

Hi there. I'm new around here so apologies if this isn't the right place for it.

I have just bought an X3 (E83 3.0d M Sport Manual) and the handbrake was a bit rubbish when i got it. Using some information on xdrivers someone mentioned applying the handbrake while driving slow to clean the shoes... except this caused a strange clonk afterwhich I now have no handbrake whatsoever.  :'( can anybody diagnose whats happened here.

Thank you in advance

The most likely is it's ripped the lining off the handbrake shoes, or misaligned them so you will need to take the rear wheels off, rear calipers and pads off, unwind the adjusters, take the discs off and have a look to see what damage was caused.

It can be a good way of cleaning things but has to be done at walking pace and VERY gently or else the shoes can 'snatch' on which will very likely cause one of the two scenarios above.

Ah. That sounds about right. Had that kind of feeling about it. Will it be obvious which bits need replacing or anything particular to see??
That sounds a little vague but I probably won't know if it's just old or broken.
Thanks for your help so far


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As it's a drum brake, it should be obvious.

Will have a crack at it this weekend


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As X5 Sport has said the linings in the rear Drum/discs have a habit of cracking and coming apart, I repladed my rear brakes a week before I sold my E53, not the best design I've ever seen, but they were the same as was on my 1990 E30 325i, so there must be thousands out there that work good enough to pass the MOT every year, if maintained properly. Hope you get it sorted.

Will I need a brake shoe fitting kit as well as the brake shoes?


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[quote="Bubbaspaarx"]
Will I need a brake shoe fitting kit as well as the brake shoes?


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[/quote]

I didn't get one, noticed them for sale on the ECP site when I was buying my shoes and discs.
You won't know if you need any of the bits until you have it in bits, springs are a bit of a faf to get on, also difficult to see what the adjuster is doing whilst the disc is back on, access is via a small hole

Decided to buy the kit and shoes. Didn't cost a huge amount and guessing they'll be knackered as mine is a manual. Fitting kit was on £11
Will let you know how I get on.


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Well that escalated fast!

Discs look shagged although pads have plenty of life


And to top it off, the springs have snapped on both sides


Also go this weird stuff I the hub in the o/s


Going to change the whole lot in one hit rather than put the hand brake shoes in now.... Best brand for springs and discs anyone?


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Other thing I noticed is that I don't have any cable adjusters near the handbrake. Is it only adjustable at the rear?


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Also didn't have a 7mm Allen key.... Who the hell has one of these. They don't come in any Allen key pack!


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I bought one of these sets before.

Good luck with the work.

Thats a good idea


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Looks like the X3 suffers the same issue as its conventional sibling.  Our E46 eats rear springs.  Used to fail every couple of years until we went to an Indy who fitted non-OEM units which gave lasted much longer.