Handbrake problem

[raymond]

My car had failed its MOT with the handbrake not working. Just a matter of adjusting the shoes they said. So I spent a few hours adjusting them sticking a screwdriver through the hole. No matter what I did the handbrake was still terrible. H

ad to admit defeat and took it to a local garage. The owner is a great BMW fan and after I left it I got a call to come straight back. With the car up on the ramp he showed me the poor condition of the cables which needed replacement. So it was just not adjustment. However it was a great excuse to poke around seeing one aspect of the car I had never seen. Would be a great idea if you ever buy an old car to put it on a ramp for 10 minutes at a friendly garage. Anyway my baby is being kept in overnight and should be returned tomorrow with a working handbrake. Then an MOT and I can finally get to drive this car!

 

[Low Rider]

My hand brake cables are good and I've had the shoes replaced. While the hand brake is better it's still not as good as I'd like.

I like getting under neath my Z3 to check it out and the best way is my local tyre fitter as they very understanding.

 

[billz]

You can adjust the Z3s handbrake cable under the handbrake gator as well as at the wheels

 

[raymond]

Tried that as well but one cable was badly overstretched. Hopefully not due to handbrake turns !

 

[t-tony]

Very often people set about adjusting the handbrake travel in the wrong order. You should slacken the cables at the lever right off so that there is no tension in the cables. Then you can adjust the shoes, again you may find that someone has fitted the adjuster back to front which means when you think you're adjusting the the shoes up your are in fact slackening them off. A pen light through the hole will show if you're going the right way. Also it's a good idea to push the calliper piston back to ensure the pads aren't binding on the disc. Only when you have the shoes adjusted up to the drum do you re adjust the cables. 4-5 clicks is where you want to be.

Tony

 

[raymond]

Unfortunately one cable was much shorter when adjuster. One side would lock but the other side would not. Getting it back tomorrow hopefully then just the resit MOT to pass. One thing I did notice was there was no undertray under the front of the engine.

 

[raymond]

Just picked it up. Four hours work. Strange how the car was warm when I picked it up. Also fuel gauge down a bit! Not exactly convinced it is 100% but the MOT tomorrow so I will find out. Both cables were rusty

 

[billz]

Lets hope it sorts it . Good luck with the MOT

 

[t-tony]

View attachment 55436 Just picked it up. Four hours work. Strange how the car was warm when I picked it up. Also fuel gauge down a bit! Not exactly convinced it is 100% but the MOT tomorrow so I will find out. Both cables were rusty

Quite common to see the outer sleeve broken like that but often the cables still work ok. Not a reason to fail unless the inner wire cable is badly frayed.
Hope the test goes ok now.
Tony.

 

[Nodzed]

View attachment 55436 Just picked it up. Four hours work. Strange how the car was warm when I picked it up. Also fuel gauge down a bit! Not exactly convinced it is 100% but the MOT tomorrow so I will find out. Both cables were rusty

Oops always make a note of your mileage if you leave it in a garage

 

[hard top]

Oops always make a note of your mileage if you leave it in a garage

Yep.
My mate, who owned the garage, used to do that if my car was in during the summer months.
He would take it out for an afternoon spin under the pretext of "Test Drive".

 

[Low Rider]

I think the Zed shed have seen a few like yours

 

[raymond]

When I hand it in tomorrow I will note the mileage this time. I did leave it with a full tank but as I said it has gone through a bit of fuel. hopefully tomorrow will finally get it on the road. Thank you for all your replies. I must say I have been a member of many car clubs in my lifetime as this one is by far the best. Everyone is helpfull. Long may it continue !!!!!!

 

[gookah]

took mine in for a spray job on rear bumper .....and my dash cam recorded some 'spirited' movements around the back of the workshop into and out of the drop off spaces.....

 

[t-tony]

Too right Pete, I'm always very careful when I have a car in for test if it has a dashcam as they sometimes are wired into aux. and not ignition.
Last time Shirl left her car at Manc. in February when it was returned to the hotel the camera had been disconnected. We left a note on it this time telling them not to do that, I will check the footage when we get home.

Tony.

 

[hard top]

Last time Shirl left her car at Manc.

Never parked my car's at long stay car parks at airports, always got a Taxi.

 

[t-tony]

Never parked my car's at long stay car parks at airports, always got a Taxi.

We stay at hotel night before flying mate.
Manc. is almost 100 miles from home, taxi would be a killer.

Tony.

 

[hard top]

taxi would be a killer.

Obviously I was backwards and forwards to the airport more than you, so due to that fact I made a deal with a taxi driver from Amsterdam.
If his mate was out working with the taxi, he would come and pick me up with his private car as well.

 

[hard top]

Oh, and I had 'privium irisscan' at the airport as well and that deal also included valet parking so you could pull up right out side the door.
Not a chance in hell I was ever going to use the valet parking.
The taxi stopped right out side the door as well.

 

[raymond]

MOT booked for 1.45. Would coincide with the dog walk. just hope the hadbrake is good enough to pass. If not back to the garage