Your car’s handbrake is a mandatory protection feature according to the highway code, in fact , this aims to stop your BMW 5 Series, even on a slight incline. It must be in addition to the main brake system controls. It will be possible that over time the cable system of the hand brake will loosen up and you will not pass the technical control or you could feel that it is actually no longer stopping your car. To deal with these concerns, we will look at how to adjust the hand brake on your BMW 5 Series . To get this done, first we will see the adjustment of the manual handbrake on BMW 5 Series , after that, in a second step, how to adjust an automatic handbrake, and then finally the price of the service performed by a professional.

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Adjusting a manual handbrake on BMW 5 Series?

Thus we start out our article with the hand brake adjustment of a BMW 5 Series in its manual version. This kind of version performs in a simple way having a system of cable and screws that allow you to control the tension from the device and therefore to modify the stroke from 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 5 Series . In any case, before adjusting the hand brake, you must be sure your rear end wheels aren’t blocked during the adjustment. Make sure you find below the detailed technique to carry out this intervention:

  • At the level of the handbrake, remove the plastic console that protects it using the torx screws and clips.
  • Once performed, you should discover a trapdoor on your handbrake, open it up to see the screw and cable system.
  • You will need to locate the locknuts and loosen them with a wrench to allow you to replace the cable tension.
  • Now screw on the locking mechanism nuts in both sides, be sure to make the same changes upon both sides to keep a balanced braking, and be sure the hand brake lever of your BMW 5 Series has a stroke of about 3 notches.
  • Tighten up the locknuts and check the locking of the rims of your car, if it’s good you can reassemble the set, otherwise tighten again the tightening screws until you get an ideal configuration

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If you don’t have access to the handbrake flap of the BMW 5 Series, the adjustment will probably be precisely the same but it really will be done by passing under your car on the level of the handbrake lever. Make sure to set your car on the stand before any actions.

How do I adjust the automatic handbrake of my personal BMW 5 Series?

Second system of handbrake adjustment in BMW 5 Series , this is an automatic handbrake, as opposed to the manual one, this method is done on the brake drums or calipers, and it is supposed to adapt automatically for the wear of the brake shoes or brake pads. It may be that if you rapidly have to purchase brake pads, the handbrake will lose power, listed below are the steps to take to verify if the strain of your handbrake is the right one:

  • Take note that an automatic handbrake can’t be adjusted straight because it is meant to adapt themselves to the use of the brake pads or pads of your BMW 5 Series.
  • You can nonetheless verify that the system is working effectively by simply putting the vehicle on the stand and examining by driving under the auto that the pads are still in good performing order.
  • For drum brakes it will be necessary to disassemble the brake systems to verify your the shoes, all of us recommend you to have it conducted by a specialist.
  • Make sure to change your brake pads if you need to.

What is the cost of adjusting the handbrake of BMW 5 Series by a specialist?

Finally, if you do not feel comfortable with this procedure, specifically since it questions a security element of your car, namely the adjustment from the handbrake of the BMW 5 Series , we counsel you to go to a repair shop who can adjust the handbrake for a about fifty euros . If you have problems with vibrations when braking on BMW 5 Series, do not wait to refer to our article which refers to this problem.

Whenever you have any additional questions about the BMW 5 Series, do not hesitate to consult our BMW 5 Series category.