Handbrake Question
 

Hi,

We have just had the dealer tighten our handbrake as the car rolled slightly when the X was left in Park and the handbrake applied. The handbrake has been tightened but still rolls, any idea why?

Don

Automatic rolling in PARK? Isn't that a linkage problem in the shfter?

I thought it was designed to roll a little bit

As I understand your question, the handbrake holds, but it has enough movement in the brake shoes so that on a hill the vehicle comes up against the park pawl (the ratchet that stops you rolling) before the handbrake sets. I assume you are using the handbrake so that it isn't hard to get the lever back out of park later, when the weight of the vehicle is holding the park pawl in place.

If so, read on. There are typically two adjustment places on this type of handbrake arrangement, one at the cable and the other at the rear parking brake shoes. I have never done it on my X5, but it should be like other vehicles. Your dealer will likely have taken slack out of the cable as it is quicker. You may or may not be able to adjust the shoes tighter, which would cause the handbrake to grab sooner.

If the vehicle is very new, you may want to 'bed' the hand brake shoes in (slowly and carefully)

You may be able to compensate for the problem if, on a steep hill, you put the handbrake on and let the vehicle come up against it, before moving the shift lever to park.

If the handbrake doesn't hold at all, in neutral or otherwise, you likely have a problem with the brake shoes. Take it apart, or have it taken apart, and check the actuation mechanism, the state of the brake shoes, and whether any grease/oil has contaminated the brake shoes.

Good luck

Jeff

Any updates to this problem?? I am now experiencing this myself, and I wonder if it is linked to my new brake squeal??

:bump:

:bump:

Back in the '70's BMW used to recommend that from time to time you apply the hand brake (with the button depressed, so it does not lock the ratchet) on and off while driving at low speed. This would "break in" the brake shoes inside the rear calipers. I still do it now and then, if for nothing more than to clean off the shoes.

I read this in the manual and tried it, and I pulled the handbrake quite high, and still did not get the car to stop.

Then try and adjust the cables. You will need 2, 10mm open end wrenches. Pull off the leather boot that covers the handbrake lever. You will see 2 cables with 10mm nuts, and 10mm stop nuts. Loosen the stop nut and turn the lower nut clockwise. As you do this on both sides, make sure that you have not tightened too much, by checking to see if the X rolls freely. When done, tighten the outer lock nuts.