[xM P0W3Rx]

So an hour ago I went quadding with a friend and when it came time to the ATV's away my car was in the way of where we keep them. I move my car up a few feet and than continue to put my ATV away. When my friend an I finish we come back to his driveway to see my car is gone!...across the street up a small incline and in a pile of leaves lies my car. I run over their to evaluate the damage...I am unbelievably lucky seeing my friends driveway isn't a usual driveway and has two big rock walls on each side and to see that no damage was done. My car was half way in the street and was holding up a lot of traffic which resulted in a few phone calls to the PD. All in all I'm very lucky my M is still Ming without any known damage. Just thought id share.

Are our parking brakes a little weak or is it just me?

[JeST]

Remove your rear brakes and check the parking brake pads. It should take about 3-4 clicks before the parking brake start to get really tight and hold the car.

If it only requires a slight adjustment you can just tighten down the 2 11mm nuts at the base of the ebrake handle. If it's really loose I would not recommend this as you'll cause excess strain on the ebrake line and you'll risk snapping the line.

If it's too loose lift the rear of the car in the air. Remove the wheels and look through the lugbolt holes. You'll see the star adjustment for the ebrake pads. I usually adjust until the pads are keeping the rotor from rotating then i'll back off a few turns. Then after that's done i'll adjust the ebrake line.

[xM P0W3Rx]

Thanks, Ill have to do that. My brake doesn't get tight until the very top.

[LightWerkz]

always park it in gear, the parking brakes suck on these things

[JeST]

If it doesn't get tight until the top do the longer step. You won't be able to get away with just tightening down the 2 11mm's at the parking brake. I'd check to see how much parking brake pad life is left first though.

Originally Posted by LightWerkz

always park it in gear, the parking brakes suck on these things

works great for me.

[C M3 FLY]

Originally Posted by xM P0W3Rx

Thanks, Ill have to do that. My brake doesn't get tight until the very top.

+1

Before I bought my current 02 E46 M, I was going to purchase an 04 which the dealer let me keep for 3 days. That car had a weak e-brake and I thought it was just that car, but when I got my 02- it was the same case. Then I thought it was just my cars, but I met up with another forum member a while ago and his e-brake was in the same shape....

[LightWerkz]

Originally Posted by JeST

If it doesn't get tight until the top do the longer step. You won't be able to get away with just tightening down the 2 11mm's at the parking brake. I'd check to see how much parking brake pad life is left first though.



works great for me.

And we are glad it does. Obviously a properly adjusted ebrake should work 100%.

As a precaution though, its a better idea to leave it in gear and use the parking brake. Most people dont realize they have an issue until their car starts to roll down the street.

Seems to be a common issue.

[ohnoes]

Originally Posted by LightWerkz

As a precaution though, its a better idea to leave it in gear and use the parking brake.

True, but there are times when you can't, such as when getting out of the car really quickly with the engine on.

[JeST]

Originally Posted by LightWerkz

And we are glad it does.

I'm glad your happy, but sarcasm is lost on me. Maybe you need to properly adjust yours

[LightWerkz]

Mine feels great After I caught it rolling down the street and adjusted the crap out of it!!!!!