Erratic Parking Brake

[mikeinsf]

Another thread reminded me of this issue with my car. I live in a hilly area, so this is an issue.

About one third of the time my parking brake engages the way it should. It pulls up to a normal height with a consistent ratchety feel, and holds the car firmly in place when I let my foot off the normal brake with no creep.

The rest of the time, the handle pulls up to a lower-than-what-should-be-normal height, often has trouble ratcheting into a fixed position, and when I take my foot off the brake the car creeps forward and the parking brake pads squeak.

What's going on? This is surely a common issue. I had some similar issues with my past BMWs also.

[Nikki]

Yeah had this issue with my non-M Z4 and went into the dealer to have it tightened but was told they couldn't fix it. It really sucked too because once I was sitting in a parking lot with a log in front of me and I started the car in neutral and let off the brake and it crept into the log without me realizing it until it was too late and scuffed up my bumper.

Haven't had any issues with the M parking brake, however.

[Finnegan]

A couple of threads to look at (below) but nothing else to offer other than always put it in gear as well as using the PB.

http://www.forum.bimmerfest.com/showthread.php?t=240052

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showpost...1&postcount=16

[MIKe86]

had the same issue with my MC. Took it to the local dealer twice and they said there was nothing wrong with it, that they just "re-adjusted" it and it was now fine.

BS, still the same problem. Like once out of every 9 or 10 times it would engage properly, nice and firm. Rest of those times it would pull up, say 8 clicks or so - then fall down to about the 4 click position and the brakes would not be engaged properly and the car would roll if on an incline.

Anyway, just took it to another dealer and they said that there was an issue with the teeth on the handle, and they have ordered a new e-brake handle for replacement.

We'll see if that fixes it. I dealt with it for almost 18,000 miles and I was so sick and tired of it. It's really frustrating when it's a RELIEF to use an e-brake in a crappy HHR for work instead of my super expensive sports car.

I'll update when I get my car back to see if the problem is fixed. *fingers crossed*

[mikeinsf]

Good luck Mike. Yeah I'm going to take mine in before the warranty's up in Sept.

[MIKe86]

Just an update, my new brake handle was put in by the dealer and it works PERFECT now, everytime. Feels soo much better.

Any luck op?

[ZZZZ]

anyone know how to adjust the travel on the e-brake? The Z4 is supposed to be 'auto adjusting'.. but the travel on mine is way too high. Hits my LeatherZ armrest.

[jragan]

There's actually a TSB out for adjustment of the e-brake. There's a problem with it that it doesn't hold.

[andysat]

Have you heard of the double pull method??

[VitaminT]

Mine seems to have less travel from time to time. About every two weeks I will set it and it will only come up about 2 clicks. The rest of the time it feels normaland doesn't allow the car to roll any that I can tell.

[CFoote]

The dealer can adjust the 'grab' of the E-Brake....they just tighten the e-brake cable if I remember correctly. About a half hour of labor from a cost perspective...

Chris