E32 - Adjust Emergency Brake

[trimagna]

I need to tighten or adjust the emergency brake on my '88 735i.

Symptom: I pull the handle while slowly rolling, the dash light works, the car does not slow down.

Hopefully, this is a simple linkage adjustment.

??

Thanks,
- CarlD trimagna@yahoo.com

[rbeaud]

First off, you need a Bentley. It will make these kinds of questions redundant and make repairs a whole lot more enjoyable.

To adjust the e-brake on a 5er, remove rear wheels and brake rotors. You will then see a drum-type brake arrangement. Set the e-brake on 3 clicks up (engaged). Then turn the adjusting wheel (you may want to first clean and then lubricate the adjusting components) until the shoe just barely clears the rotor id (the drum). You can check the clearance of the rotor ID to the shoe by installing the rotor back onto the spindle.

When the rotor cannot be installed because of shoe contact, back off the adjustment by about 1/2 turn. The shoe may drag on the ID, but will not prevent you from installing the rotor. Perfect.

Re-install rotor and wheel and you should be good.

Cheers,

Roland

I need to tighten or adjust the emergency brake on my '88 735i.

Symptom: I pull the handle while slowly rolling, the dash light works, the car does not slow down.

Hopefully, this is a simple linkage adjustment.

??

Thanks,
- CarlD trimagna@yahoo.com