Handbrake not locking up wheels?

madman · 11-17-2008, 03:44 PM

Hi guys.

No matter how hard I pull it up, the handbrake won't lock the wheels up while the car is in motion.

It holds ok when its stationary but i still have to pull it up pretty hard.

Should it fully lock the wheels? for example for me to do a handbrake turn

or is it a safety feature by not fully locking the wheels?

chazzz · 11-17-2008, 04:45 PM

Maybe the handbrake needs to be adjusted? (more tighter)

madman · 11-17-2008, 04:50 PM

Its been like this from new.

It stops the car eventually, but nowhere near locks the wheels.

ALPINE6SPD · 11-17-2008, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madman

Its been like this from new.

It stops the car eventually, but nowhere near locks the wheels.

just curious why would you want to lock up the wheels? It makes no sense and just flat spots tires.

bsamoul · 11-17-2008, 05:10 PM

My tech told me 4 clicks is what standard is supposed to be, according to Germany.

madman · 11-17-2008, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALPINE6SPD

just curious why would you want to lock up the wheels? It makes no sense and just flat spots tires.

So i can do some fun handbrake turns when we get some snow

and i get my tyres for free.

e93burner · 11-17-2008, 05:20 PM

My car will roll on a gentle slope unless the handbrake is pulled ALL the way up through the last notch. I recently watched a valet get out of my car and then have to chase it, jump into the door, and pull the brake further before rolling down a ramp in the parking garage. It was hilarious to watch but I just about peed my pants.

bsamoul · 11-17-2008, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e93burner

My car will roll on a gentle slope unless the handbrake is pulled ALL the way up through the last notch. I recently watched a valet get out of my car and then have to chase it, jump into the door, and pull the brake further before rolling down a ramp in the parking garage. It was hilarious to watch but I just about peed my pants.

So after watching that, are you going to valet again knowing that he almost crashed it?

Year's_End · 11-17-2008, 05:56 PM

i'm not positive, but i think if you just lightly hit the brakes while pulling the handbrake the wheels will lock up. i never tried it on this car, and don't think i ever will, but my friend said this was the only way his e46 would lock its rear wheels up.

nicknaz · 11-17-2008, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madman

So i can do some fun handbrake turns when we get some snow

Why don't you just turn off the traction control and apply throttle? in the snow in a RWD car you should be able to get the car to oversteer very easily

GarySL · 11-17-2008, 06:23 PM

From the manual:

In exceptional cases, if the parking brake
has to be used to slow or stop the car, do
not pull the lever up too hard. In doing so, continuously
press the button of the parking brake
lever.

Otherwise, too violent an application of the
parking brake can lock up the rear wheels and
cause the rear of the car to swerve.

Also:

To prevent corrosion and one-sided braking
action, occasionally apply the parking
brake lightly when the vehicle is slowly coming
to a stop if the traffic conditions are suitable.
The brake lamps do not light up when the parking
brake is applied.

madman · 11-18-2008, 06:28 AM

I wonder if it still has a fault.

A few months ago my handbrake stopped working and my car rolled into my garage and messed up my bumper.

BMW fixed it but maybe it still has a fault...humm.

Deda · 11-18-2008, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer Loyalist

i'm not positive, but i think if you just lightly hit the brakes while pulling the handbrake the wheels will lock up. i never tried it on this car, and don't think i ever will, but my friend said this was the only way his e46 would lock its rear wheels up.

+1,totally agree!

11-17-2008, 03:44 PM	#1
madman Major 108 Rep 1,252 Posts Drives: The Above Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lincolnshire, UK iTrader: (0)	Handbrake not locking up wheels? Hi guys. No matter how hard I pull it up, the handbrake won't lock the wheels up while the car is in motion. It holds ok when its stationary but i still have to pull it up pretty hard. Should it fully lock the wheels? for example for me to do a handbrake turn or is it a safety feature by not fully locking the wheels? __________________ If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space.
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11-17-2008, 04:45 PM	#2
chazzz Captain 116 Rep 712 Posts Drives: 2018 Chrysler 300S Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Southern California iTrader: (4)	Maybe the handbrake needs to be adjusted? (more tighter) __________________ SOLD - 2007 BMW 335i Sedan, Montego Blue with Lemon seats, AluFelgen CS7 rims & Continental DW tires CURRENT - 2018 Chrysler 300S, Crystal Granite Metallic.
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11-17-2008, 04:50 PM	#3
madman Major 108 Rep 1,252 Posts Drives: The Above Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lincolnshire, UK iTrader: (0)	Its been like this from new. It stops the car eventually, but nowhere near locks the wheels. __________________ If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space.
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11-17-2008, 05:10 PM	#5
bsamoul Major General 165 Rep 7,433 Posts Drives: E90 325i Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Walnut Creek, California iTrader: (2)	My tech told me 4 clicks is what standard is supposed to be, according to Germany. __________________ -Brian 2X 2006 BMW 325i [Electric Red & Mystic Blue] \| ZPP \| V1 \| Rear Fogs \| M3 Lip Spoiler \| EAS RemoteKey \| BMS Powerbox \| Projector90 Headlights w/ LED AE \| LED plate lights \| OEM Blacklines http://www.tech-shine.com
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11-17-2008, 05:20 PM	#7
e93burner Enlisted Member 3 Rep 47 Posts Drives: E93 335 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bay Area, California iTrader: (1)	My car will roll on a gentle slope unless the handbrake is pulled ALL the way up through the last notch. I recently watched a valet get out of my car and then have to chase it, jump into the door, and pull the brake further before rolling down a ramp in the parking garage. It was hilarious to watch but I just about peed my pants. __________________ 08 335i Cabriolet \| Euro delivery \| 6-MT \| Montego \| Cream-Beige \| ZPP \| ZSP \| Cold Weather \| OEM Alarm \| Euro removable hitch \| Rear heated seats \| Dinan Stage II \| Koni FSD\|
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11-17-2008, 05:56 PM	#9
Year's_End Lieutenant General 1138 Rep 12,444 Posts Drives: 2020 Shelby GT350 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	i'm not positive, but i think if you just lightly hit the brakes while pulling the handbrake the wheels will lock up. i never tried it on this car, and don't think i ever will, but my friend said this was the only way his e46 would lock its rear wheels up. __________________ Past: '08 E92 335i\|ZPP\|ZSP\|6AT Past: '15 Mustang GT\|401A\|PP\|6MT Current: '20 Shelby GT350\|6MT
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11-17-2008, 06:23 PM	#11
GarySL Lieutenant 1477 Rep 409 Posts Drives: 2006 Carrera 4S Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Humboldt Co., CA iTrader: (0)	From the manual: In exceptional cases, if the parking brake has to be used to slow or stop the car, do not pull the lever up too hard. In doing so, continuously press the button of the parking brake lever. Otherwise, too violent an application of the parking brake can lock up the rear wheels and cause the rear of the car to swerve. Also: To prevent corrosion and one-sided braking action, occasionally apply the parking brake lightly when the vehicle is slowly coming to a stop if the traffic conditions are suitable. The brake lamps do not light up when the parking brake is applied. __________________ '08 335xi (E90), 6MT, Arctic/Black, ZPP, ZSP (18"s), ZCW, CA, PDC, i-Pod Ordered-March 7, 2008, Shipped via Graceful Leader-March 21, 2008, Arrived Port Hueneme-April 11, 2008, Delivered-April 21, 2008
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11-18-2008, 06:28 AM	#12
madman Major 108 Rep 1,252 Posts Drives: The Above Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lincolnshire, UK iTrader: (0)	I wonder if it still has a fault. A few months ago my handbrake stopped working and my car rolled into my garage and messed up my bumper. BMW fixed it but maybe it still has a fault...humm. __________________ If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space.
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