Handbrake ratchet fix.£32!

W

wiganz4

Member
Re-ground the missing teeth with everything in situ on the handbrake. I work with metal before everyone shouts! :D
Couldn't have made it it any worse and now I have teeth from notch 3 to around 7! Used a 9mm flat burrer with extension and was able to get in and 'make' new teeth at the correct angle for the ratchet to work and hold firm again. Cost £32 for the bit and took around 20 minutes, including retrieving any shavings from the recess with a magnet.

Tested and working as it should do so happy days!
 

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That's an impressive fix for what seems to be becoming a common problem. :thumbsup:
 
I'm finding it hard to understand how your tool will reach the 3rd tooth. I can understand how your tool is positioned to possibly reach the top tooth which no one uses.

Some more info would be much appreciated! :thumbsup:

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I assume you actually use it in this position?

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Usel said:
I'm finding it hard to understand how your tool will reach the 3rd tooth. I can understand how your tool is positioned to possibly reach the top tooth which no one uses.

Some more info would be much appreciated! :thumbsup:

20240418_225612.jpg

I assume you actually use it in this position?

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Click to expand...

Of course, and thats pretty much the angle you show to go in at. The image with the bit inside the handbrake mechanism is just to show how accessible it is. With the handbrake off its very easy to access and regrind the lower teeth at the correct angle to remake good notches. They also have to be slightly angled to alllow the ratchet to work and hold. Remember its always on, or After the 3rd tooth where they wear out so no need to hit the very bottom ones.
 
Mr Tidy said:
That's an impressive fix for what seems to be becoming a common problem. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

It's been bugging me forever and I know folk are even getting rid of good Z4s because of the work involved in changing them, that's if you can even get a decent replacement. I've made things out of metal in work for 30 odd years so it was just access that I had to work around. Anyway, if somebody's quite dexterous its a case of simply removing the top trim, getting a good light, putting the handbrake off for access and getting in there nice and steady. The only thing to really concentrate on is the angle to allow the ratchet to 'click' over and sit in position.
 
Old post I made after one of our resident Breakers told me how to remove the lever from inside the car which negates the removal of exhaust etc when doing it from underneath. Simple bending the opening to access the lever bolts. easy enough to tap it back into place or leave it for future access if needed. https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=142304
Quite an efficient way of doing it so only a file is needed to reprofile the ratchet teeth.
 
colb said:
Old post I made after one of our resident Breakers told me how to remove the lever from inside the car which negates the removal of exhaust etc when doing it from underneath. Simple bending the opening to access the lever bolts. easy enough to tap it back into place or leave it for future access if needed. https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=142304
Quite an efficient way of doing it so only a file is needed to reprofile the ratchet teeth.
Click to expand...
That looks far easier! Thanks for posting. My handbrake is also missing a few teeth so I think this is the way to go.
 
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