alirzn

Parking Brake in my 2004 530I is very loose and does not work. How can I fix it?

Anzafin

1) Lift the rear wheel(s) up
2) Remove rear wheel(s)
3) Turn the wheel hub in a position where one of the wheel bolt holes is on the lowest point possible
4) Look at through the hole with a torch and you'll see a little gearwheel inside the hub. The teeth of the wheel are facing outside towards you through the hole.
5) Put a screwdriver in and turn the gearwheel up (it should tighten the handbrake when turning up if I remember it right).

The above is a common guide how to do it. However, it could be a good idea to loosen the gearwheel at first, then hit the hub with a hammer and blow some pressured air inside (through the wheel bolt holes) to loosen the dirt on handbrake shoes. Then tighten it up as much as it goes. At this point try to turn the wheel hub. If it's locked, there's still something left of the brake shoes lol! Then loosen the gearwheel just a bit. Repeat on other side. If the wheel hub doesn't lock when the gearwheel is tightened up, you probably need new handbrake shoes.

- Antti -

pradden

If you search around you will see this is a common maintenance issue, and there is lots of info on this site for what you can do to fix it.

Here is an example: https://5series.net/forums/topic/124...1#entry1451360

mokk76

Hello All,
I am having the same issue with my handbrake. I followed Antti's instructions above and with the rear tires off the ground, the tires lock and hold with the gearwheel adjusted all the way up. So I loosen it just a little and the wheel moves freely, however with the tires on the ground, the handbrake is not holding the car at all once pulled. So I have a couple of questions.
1. What position should the handbrake be when adjusting the brake shoe gearwheel?
2. How do I adjust the cable tension on the handbrake itself?
Thank you.

Bobbrown13

If you have a manual and use the parking brake all the time..... you have a 04 and it may be time to replace the parking brake shoes. Even if you dont use the parking brake the linings have been known to deteoriate over time and fall of the shoes. Failed an inspection with the old Z4 auto. We never used the handbrake on that car and when I took the rear disk off, the linings just fell out onto the ground.

They dont get replaced on a normal brake pad replacement. There inside the rear brake disk,

RealOEM.com * BMW E60 530i PARKING BRAKE/BRAKE SHOES

Bobbrown13

And you live in Houston so they WILL faiil you during inspection if the brake doesnt hold.

Lever should be in the down position. The cable is not adjusted, it's the shoes that are adjusted. They are self adjusting so if doing what is mentioned above doesnt work, then your'e out of meat and it's time to replace linings.

audiophool

You also have to do a 'bed in' on the e-brake from time to time. While driving at about 50 kph, pull the brake until you feel some drag, pull it 2 more clicks and drive for a block then release. It'll work better after that.

DavidF

The parking brake shoes are not self adjusting. You are suppose to turn the adjuster (via wheel bolt hole) until the wheel is locked when trying to turn by hand. Then back off the adjuster 8 notches. Repeat for other side. Proper adjustment is when you lift the handbrake 5 notches and get a force of about 90 lbs (use a fish scale).