Handbrake cable won't budge

[Duncodin]

@t-tony Your excellent article on replacing handbrake cables (it's what google points to!)

https://zroadster.org/articles/bmw-z3-parking-brake-cable-replacement.80/

I just can't budge the cable from the back of the hub.

Coming at it from a different angle - Once the handbrake pads are removed there's that bracket-like thing. No. 5 in this image

Is that the tube that the handbrake sleeve is stuck in? The bolts holding that onto the hub were easy to loosen so would some wiggle (heat?) on that bracket help to release the cable?

 

[t-tony]

If you're putting new handbrake cables on (I would), you can cut the cables as close as you can to the backplate with an angle grinder. Then, un bolt the bracket and take it to the vice to work on. I punched the cables out of the backplates when I did mine but I was restricted for time doing it at work.

Tony.

 

[Duncodin]

I just did (something like) that. First I cut the cable. Then removed that bracket. The cable sleeve stayed stuck to the hub but it gave me better sight of the sleeve. Pulled the remnants of the cable inner out through the front and then poked a thin bar through a bolt hole and gave that a light tap and the cable sleeve popped out the other side. Cool.

 

[t-tony]

To clean the inside of hole such as that get a 5" piece of round steel bar 6, or 7mm dia. and cut a slot down the centre to about 25-30mm. Then get some emery strip and tear a 6" length and pinch it into the slot you cut in the bar. Wind it round in such a way that when you put it in a drill chuck it will not unwind it when you put it into the hole to emery the rust out.

Tony.

ps. I can show you a picture if it's not clear what I mean.

 

[Duncodin]

To clean the inside of hole such as that get a 5" piece of round steel bar 6, or 7mm dia. and cut a slot down the centre to about 25-30mm. Then get some emery strip and tear a 6" length and pinch it into the slot you cut in the bar. Wind it round in such a way that when you put it in a drill chuck it will not unwind it when you put it into the hole to emery the rust out.

Tony.

ps. I can show you a picture if it's not clear what I mean.

I know exactly what you mean. basically making a reamer. Yes. I'll do that

 

[Pingu]

I had the same problem, but decided that I only wanted to change the cable, I didn't need to change it. So I left it. I also couldn't remove the drive shaft from the bearing, despite using a 15 ton puller.

I thought this video showed me trying to get the handbrake cable off, but it doesn't.

Some things just don't need to be done, and can be left as they are .

 

[the Nefyn cat]

I wound up drilling one of mine out, the other came out with a bit of a tug. PITA, indeed.