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Handbrake ratchet removal
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- Member
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- Joined: Fri Sep 09, 2011 5:15 pm
Handbrake ratchet removal
Back in a Z4 after many years! Had the 2.0i back in around 2010, bought the 2.5i recently.
It failed its MOT on the handbrake and airbag light. I'll get a friend with INPA to look into the airbag light.
The handbrake mechanism is worn - I've taken out the centre console and can see the ratchet bit is worn. Do I need to take the diff out and remove all this from underneath the car? Advice would be appreciated.
Also has anyone re-ground a new set of teeth into the mechanism or is a full one from BMW the only way?
It failed its MOT on the handbrake and airbag light. I'll get a friend with INPA to look into the airbag light.
The handbrake mechanism is worn - I've taken out the centre console and can see the ratchet bit is worn. Do I need to take the diff out and remove all this from underneath the car? Advice would be appreciated.
Also has anyone re-ground a new set of teeth into the mechanism or is a full one from BMW the only way?
Current:
E85 Alpina Roadster S Lux, E64 650i, E65 740i, E31 840ci Sport Individual Estoril
History:
E85 3.0si sport individual, E31 850Ci, E32 730i, E87 120d SE, E61 520d SE, E85 Z4 2.0i Sport, E82 118d Sport Coupe, E53 X5 3.0d Individual, E85 Z4 2.5i
E85 Alpina Roadster S Lux, E64 650i, E65 740i, E31 840ci Sport Individual Estoril
History:
E85 3.0si sport individual, E31 850Ci, E32 730i, E87 120d SE, E61 520d SE, E85 Z4 2.0i Sport, E82 118d Sport Coupe, E53 X5 3.0d Individual, E85 Z4 2.5i
- GuidoK
- Lifer
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- Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2010 1:37 am
- Location: all over the place
Handbrake ratchet removal
Are you sure the ratchet is worn? or is it just a bad adjustment (bad adjustment: ratchet works but you have to pull the brake lever up too high to get any bite on the handbrake). The handbrake has a semi automatic adjuster; it has to be clipped in a non automatic position, then adjust the rear handbrake shoes by turning the little expandable thing between the brake shoes (through a wheel bolt hole) to the point that it just grabs and then a few turns back (there is a specific setting for that), and then engage the automatic adjuster.
To remove the hand brake lever is a pain: exhaust has to come off and propshaft has to be removed.
The handbrake lever mechanism sits in a tray that is bolted from underneath.
I've never heard anyone regrinding the teeth on the lever by this car. BMW TIS recommends a new lever mechanism.
To remove the hand brake lever is a pain: exhaust has to come off and propshaft has to be removed.
The handbrake lever mechanism sits in a tray that is bolted from underneath.
I've never heard anyone regrinding the teeth on the lever by this car. BMW TIS recommends a new lever mechanism.
Z4 3.0i | ESS TS2+ | Quaife ATB LSD | Brembo/BMW performance BBK front/rear | Schrick FI cams | Schmiedmann headers+cats | fully polybushed | Vibra-technics engine mounts | H&R anti rollbars | KW V3 coilovers | Sachs Race Engineering clutch
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- Member
- Posts: 162
- Joined: Fri Sep 09, 2011 5:15 pm
Handbrake ratchet removal
It's not adjustment - I can see the worn teeth. This picture doesn't show it too well but you can see teeth ~4-8 worn and these are the ones the handbrake would normally be on, I can't pull it up past 3 - it slips back down.
Current:
E85 Alpina Roadster S Lux, E64 650i, E65 740i, E31 840ci Sport Individual Estoril
History:
E85 3.0si sport individual, E31 850Ci, E32 730i, E87 120d SE, E61 520d SE, E85 Z4 2.0i Sport, E82 118d Sport Coupe, E53 X5 3.0d Individual, E85 Z4 2.5i
E85 Alpina Roadster S Lux, E64 650i, E65 740i, E31 840ci Sport Individual Estoril
History:
E85 3.0si sport individual, E31 850Ci, E32 730i, E87 120d SE, E61 520d SE, E85 Z4 2.0i Sport, E82 118d Sport Coupe, E53 X5 3.0d Individual, E85 Z4 2.5i
- GuidoK
- Lifer
- Posts: 3171
- Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2010 1:37 am
- Location: all over the place
Handbrake ratchet removal
indeed if it slips back, its def. worn
You've got an interesting job ahead
I'd recommend if you dont have a car lift, to rent one.
And you need quite a bit of tools, apart from the ordinary: probably some oxyacetylene to get the front exhaust bolts off, and e10 or e12 sockets to remove the rear bolts from the propshaft
And a transmission jack to lower the (complete) exhaust. it's quite heavy.
You've got an interesting job ahead
I'd recommend if you dont have a car lift, to rent one.
And you need quite a bit of tools, apart from the ordinary: probably some oxyacetylene to get the front exhaust bolts off, and e10 or e12 sockets to remove the rear bolts from the propshaft
And a transmission jack to lower the (complete) exhaust. it's quite heavy.
Z4 3.0i | ESS TS2+ | Quaife ATB LSD | Brembo/BMW performance BBK front/rear | Schrick FI cams | Schmiedmann headers+cats | fully polybushed | Vibra-technics engine mounts | H&R anti rollbars | KW V3 coilovers | Sachs Race Engineering clutch
- Ewazix
- Lifer
- Posts: 4721
- Joined: Sun May 02, 2010 5:30 pm
- Location: Somerset
Handbrake ratchet removal
Feel for you, what a PITA job for a handbrake ratchet!
http://workshop-manuals.com/bmw/z_serie ... nting_pan/
http://workshop-manuals.com/bmw/z_serie ... nting_pan/
2003 2.5 SE, low miles, Sterling Grey, 108's & Eagles, no stubby here! Unmolested.
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2018 Cooper S Countryman
Fiesta Ecoboost
- MrPT
- Lifer
- Posts: 4747
- Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2012 7:44 pm
- Location: Bucks/Oxon
Handbrake ratchet removal
Ahh what?! Need to do mine at some point too.
Mine's not terrible though (no issue with MOTs) - might try adjusting it to bite with the lever a bit higher up.
Mine's not terrible though (no issue with MOTs) - might try adjusting it to bite with the lever a bit higher up.
2008 Z4MC: heavy wheels | crap suspension | skittish rear end | wobbly engine | not enough induction noise | underwhelming turn in | inconsistent braking | lardy battery | chubby steering wheel
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone
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- Member
- Posts: 162
- Joined: Fri Sep 09, 2011 5:15 pm
Handbrake ratchet removal
Well due to the airbag light I've taken most of the interior out (seats, carpets etc) and the roof mechanism. Almost down to a bare shell!
Current:
E85 Alpina Roadster S Lux, E64 650i, E65 740i, E31 840ci Sport Individual Estoril
History:
E85 3.0si sport individual, E31 850Ci, E32 730i, E87 120d SE, E61 520d SE, E85 Z4 2.0i Sport, E82 118d Sport Coupe, E53 X5 3.0d Individual, E85 Z4 2.5i
E85 Alpina Roadster S Lux, E64 650i, E65 740i, E31 840ci Sport Individual Estoril
History:
E85 3.0si sport individual, E31 850Ci, E32 730i, E87 120d SE, E61 520d SE, E85 Z4 2.0i Sport, E82 118d Sport Coupe, E53 X5 3.0d Individual, E85 Z4 2.5i
- paddy wright
- Lifer
- Posts: 7664
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 1:00 pm
- Location: south yorkshire
Handbrake ratchet removal
Had mine done under warranty in September, they had to drop the prop etc. Might be worth replacing the prop donut W like the probs off as well.
Z4 2.2 sterling grey,Msport seats,retrofit cupholders,cruise,footwell lights,sound gen and mfsw,18"ellipsoids,xenons+light washers,ZHPknob,folding mirrors,3"stubby,update wheel caps,gateway300 ipod, wind deflector to keep the wife happy!
- MrPT
- Lifer
- Posts: 4747
- Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2012 7:44 pm
- Location: Bucks/Oxon
Handbrake ratchet removal
Yeah, probably lots of little things worth doing, e.g. brake line refurb, diff flange re-grease, loose heatshields, re-torque cross braces etc.paddy wright wrote:Had mine done under warranty in September, they had to drop the prop etc. Might be worth replacing the prop donut W like the probs off as well.
2008 Z4MC: heavy wheels | crap suspension | skittish rear end | wobbly engine | not enough induction noise | underwhelming turn in | inconsistent braking | lardy battery | chubby steering wheel
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone
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- Member
- Posts: 162
- Joined: Fri Sep 09, 2011 5:15 pm
Handbrake ratchet removal
Diff flange and donut W, will look into those.MrPT wrote:Yeah, probably lots of little things worth doing, e.g. brake line refurb, diff flange re-grease, loose heatshields, re-torque cross braces etc.paddy wright wrote:Had mine done under warranty in September, they had to drop the prop etc. Might be worth replacing the prop donut W like the probs off as well.
Are there any common jobs to do when the interior is out? Any places to add dynamat to improve road noise / audio quality, I'm already thinking of adding rear cubby subwoofers or components.
Current:
E85 Alpina Roadster S Lux, E64 650i, E65 740i, E31 840ci Sport Individual Estoril
History:
E85 3.0si sport individual, E31 850Ci, E32 730i, E87 120d SE, E61 520d SE, E85 Z4 2.0i Sport, E82 118d Sport Coupe, E53 X5 3.0d Individual, E85 Z4 2.5i
E85 Alpina Roadster S Lux, E64 650i, E65 740i, E31 840ci Sport Individual Estoril
History:
E85 3.0si sport individual, E31 850Ci, E32 730i, E87 120d SE, E61 520d SE, E85 Z4 2.0i Sport, E82 118d Sport Coupe, E53 X5 3.0d Individual, E85 Z4 2.5i
- paddy wright
- Lifer
- Posts: 7664
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 1:00 pm
- Location: south yorkshire
Handbrake ratchet removal
Sorry for the typo- autocorrect changed while to W like?? The diff donut is just called the diff coupling donut.motoroller wrote:Diff flange and donut W, will look into those.MrPT wrote:Yeah, probably lots of little things worth doing, e.g. brake line refurb, diff flange re-grease, loose heatshields, re-torque cross braces etc.paddy wright wrote:Had mine done under warranty in September, they had to drop the prop etc. Might be worth replacing the prop donut W like the probs off as well.
Are there any common jobs to do when the interior is out? Any places to add dynamat to improve road noise / audio quality, I'm already thinking of adding rear cubby subwoofers or components.
Z4 2.2 sterling grey,Msport seats,retrofit cupholders,cruise,footwell lights,sound gen and mfsw,18"ellipsoids,xenons+light washers,ZHPknob,folding mirrors,3"stubby,update wheel caps,gateway300 ipod, wind deflector to keep the wife happy!
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- Member
- Posts: 162
- Joined: Fri Sep 09, 2011 5:15 pm
Handbrake ratchet removal
I'm about 75% of the way to having the blasted mechanism out.
Exhaust is out and the front of the driveshaft is off, but the rear diff end isn't coming off. It's stuck on there. I've left some maintenance spray on there to loosen it up a bit. Any tips for removal? Then I should be able to get the handbrake mechanism out.
Exhaust is out and the front of the driveshaft is off, but the rear diff end isn't coming off. It's stuck on there. I've left some maintenance spray on there to loosen it up a bit. Any tips for removal? Then I should be able to get the handbrake mechanism out.
Current:
E85 Alpina Roadster S Lux, E64 650i, E65 740i, E31 840ci Sport Individual Estoril
History:
E85 3.0si sport individual, E31 850Ci, E32 730i, E87 120d SE, E61 520d SE, E85 Z4 2.0i Sport, E82 118d Sport Coupe, E53 X5 3.0d Individual, E85 Z4 2.5i
E85 Alpina Roadster S Lux, E64 650i, E65 740i, E31 840ci Sport Individual Estoril
History:
E85 3.0si sport individual, E31 850Ci, E32 730i, E87 120d SE, E61 520d SE, E85 Z4 2.0i Sport, E82 118d Sport Coupe, E53 X5 3.0d Individual, E85 Z4 2.5i
- GuidoK
- Lifer
- Posts: 3171
- Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2010 1:37 am
- Location: all over the place
Handbrake ratchet removal
I always stick a tyre iron through the joint (to block the propshaft from rotating, I usually set it so that its wedged against the petrol tank so I have both hands free), and just take out the inverse torx bolts.
Never had any problems with it, but my car is a garaged car for most of its life, so there's hardly any rust.
Never had any problems with it, but my car is a garaged car for most of its life, so there's hardly any rust.
Z4 3.0i | ESS TS2+ | Quaife ATB LSD | Brembo/BMW performance BBK front/rear | Schrick FI cams | Schmiedmann headers+cats | fully polybushed | Vibra-technics engine mounts | H&R anti rollbars | KW V3 coilovers | Sachs Race Engineering clutch
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- Member
- Posts: 162
- Joined: Fri Sep 09, 2011 5:15 pm
Handbrake ratchet removal
Does it have any internal "pin" / notch to keep it centred?
Current:
E85 Alpina Roadster S Lux, E64 650i, E65 740i, E31 840ci Sport Individual Estoril
History:
E85 3.0si sport individual, E31 850Ci, E32 730i, E87 120d SE, E61 520d SE, E85 Z4 2.0i Sport, E82 118d Sport Coupe, E53 X5 3.0d Individual, E85 Z4 2.5i
E85 Alpina Roadster S Lux, E64 650i, E65 740i, E31 840ci Sport Individual Estoril
History:
E85 3.0si sport individual, E31 850Ci, E32 730i, E87 120d SE, E61 520d SE, E85 Z4 2.0i Sport, E82 118d Sport Coupe, E53 X5 3.0d Individual, E85 Z4 2.5i
- GuidoK
- Lifer
- Posts: 3171
- Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2010 1:37 am
- Location: all over the place
Handbrake ratchet removal
Yes, there is a small centerflange on the propshaft joint (maybe 5mm or so) that slots into the diff flange. About 4cm in diameter.
you can get the tyre iron or prybar between the diff flange and propshaft flange on a few points (maybe at one of the joint protrusions) and pry the propshaft back from the diff (only a few mm necessary)
I always mark the position the propshaft sat in the diff. I dont think its a completely balanced assembly (only the propshaft is balanced), but that way you're assured of the same balance as you set off with.
Here you can just see on my car the little flange that fits into the diff:
you can get the tyre iron or prybar between the diff flange and propshaft flange on a few points (maybe at one of the joint protrusions) and pry the propshaft back from the diff (only a few mm necessary)
I always mark the position the propshaft sat in the diff. I dont think its a completely balanced assembly (only the propshaft is balanced), but that way you're assured of the same balance as you set off with.
Here you can just see on my car the little flange that fits into the diff:
Z4 3.0i | ESS TS2+ | Quaife ATB LSD | Brembo/BMW performance BBK front/rear | Schrick FI cams | Schmiedmann headers+cats | fully polybushed | Vibra-technics engine mounts | H&R anti rollbars | KW V3 coilovers | Sachs Race Engineering clutch