Your car’s handbrake is actually a required safety feature according to the highway code, in fact , this aims to end your BMW 3 Series, even on a slight slope. It must be independent of the main brake controls. It will be possible that after some time the cable system of the hand brake will relax and you will certainly not pass the technical control or you might feel that it can be no longer blocking your car. To cope with these concerns, we will look at how to adjust the hand brake on your BMW 3 Series . To get this done, first we will see the adjustment of a manual handbrake on BMW 3 Series , in that case, in a second step, how to adjust an automatic handbrake, and finally the price of the service performed by a professional.
Adjusting a manual handbrake on BMW 3 Series?
Therefore we commence our document with the hand brake adjustment of a BMW 3 Series in its manual version. This version works in a simple way which has a system of cable and screws that allow you to manage the tension in the device and thus to modify the stroke in the lever of the handbrake. To act on it you should act on these types of screws to be able to stretch the handbrake cable of the BMW 3 Series . In any case, ahead of adjusting the hand brake, you must make sure that your rear wheels are certainly not blocked during the adjustment. Please find under the detailed technique to carry out this intervention:
- At the level of your handbrake, remove the plastic console that covers it using the torx screws and clips.
- Once performed, you should discover a trapdoor in your handbrake, open it to see the screw and cable system.
- You will need to locate the locknuts and loosen them with a wrench to allow you to change the cable tension.
- Now screw on the lock nuts upon both sides, make certain to make the same changes upon both sides to hold a balanced brake, and make sure that the hand brake lever of your BMW 3 Series has a stroke of about 3 notches.
- Tighten the locknuts and test the fastening of the rims of your car, if it’s great you can reassemble the set, otherwise tighten again the tightening screws until you get an optimal configuration
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If you don’t have access to the handbrake flap of the BMW 3 Series, the adjustment will probably be precisely the same but it surely will be done by passing underneath your car at the level of your handbrake lever. Make sure set your car on the stand ahead of any actions.
How do I adjust the automatic handbrake of my BMW 3 Series?
Second system of handbrake adjustment upon BMW 3 Series , this is an automatic handbrake, in contrast to the manual one, this one is done on the brake drums or calipers, and is supposed to change automatically for the wear of the brake shoes or brake pads. It may be that if you soon have to purchase brake pads, your handbrake will suffer power, allow me to share the steps to take to verify if the tension of your handbrake is the appropriate one:
- Bear in mind that an automatic handbrake can not be modified straight because it is meant to adapt by itself to the wear of the brake pads or shoes of your BMW 3 Series.
- You can still verify that the system is working correctly by putting the vehicle on the stand and examining by driving under the vehicle that the brake pads are still in good performing order.
- For drum brakes it will be necessary to disassemble the brake systems to verify the state of the shoes, we recommend you to have it performed by a professional.
- Be sure you replace your brake pads if you need to.
What is the cost of adjusting the handbrake of BMW 3 Series by a professional?
Finally, if you do not feel comfortable with this procedure, specifically since it concerns a safety component of your car, namely the adjustment in the handbrake of the BMW 3 Series , we advise you to go to a mechanic who are able to adjust your handbrake for the about fifty euros . When you have problems with vibrations when braking on BMW 3 Series, do not wait to refer to our document which deals with this issue.
To get more tips on the BMW 3 Series, take a look at the BMW 3 Series category.
