Z3 Handbrake Seized

[Jjim]

Going to look at buying another Z3 and I've been told that the handbrake has seized on as the car hasn't been used in over a year.

I'll be loading it onto a trailer to get home, but not sure how I can load it.

Any advice on freeing a seized handbrake???

 

[pgunter]

Try this..

Release handbrake.. rock car.. as its more than likely a stuck calliper than a stuck handbrake. If it does not budge. Elevate the car and check each wheel in turn to find the culprit. If it is the handbrake or calliper remove the wheel and see how bad it is. Stuck callipers will need a bit of tlc and you might be able to push it enough with a flat screwdriver to move it so that you can put it on a trailer. If its the handbrake thats stuck then you will have to remove the wheels and gentle tap around the hub assembly to try and loosen it free. Remember to chock the wheels and check all four wheels.

No quick fix unless you want to force the car to move.

 

[Jjim]

Thanks, that was my thinking. Probably going to have to take a hammer, tools and penetrating fluid with me. Hoping that I will be able to rock it and it will free.
Or might be able to hook a tow up and dry pulling it to release it.

Don't really want to be starting to strip in down on someone driveway

 

[mrscalex]

If it's just a rust seal it will break easily enough.

If it was me I'd just try and drive the car slowly to break the seal. I had to do that recently when my daughter started using the C2 I bought her after it was laid up for a few months.

If the handbrake mechanism is seized (unlikely I feel given recent experience of working on this mechanism) I can't see you're going to do too much damage trying to drive it on either as long as you can get the momentum up. The handbrake shoes are pretty noddy and don't have a vice like grip. You're going to do more damage trying to remove the disc if the shoes are in the way. The backplate will start giving way.

The barrel adjuster can seize, so can the cable. But that shouldn't jam the shoes on. There's not much else in there to seize that would lock the shoes on. So that's why it's probably just a rust seal.

 

[mrscalex]

And no I wouldn't strip the handbrake mechanism down on someone's drive. Caliper yes.

And yes I'd try rocking it first before driving it (slowly) but you might find it doesn't help

But do what you're comfortable with doing from the suggestions. If you aren't confident to drive it and don't like the idea of a bang as it clears try whacking it with the hammer!

 

[Jjim]

And no I wouldn't strip the handbrake mechanism down on someone's drive. Caliper yes.

And yes I'd try rocking it first before driving it (slowly) but you might find it doesn't help

But do what you're comfortable with doing from the suggestions. If you aren't confident to drive it and don't like the idea of a bang as it clears try whacking it with the hammer!

Thanks for the advice.

I've stripped the brakes down on my current Z3 before, replaced the calipers, discs, pads and handbrake shoes. So I'm familiar with the system. Just never had to deal with a seized brake. Hoping that when I get there it will work loose easily. As its rear wheel drive and the handbrakes are on the rear, I'm expecting to have to tow it with the X5 to try an loosen it.

Fingers crossed!

 

[mrscalex]

Thanks for the advice.

I've stripped the brakes down on my current Z3 before, replaced the calipers, discs, pads and handbrake shoes. So I'm familiar with the system. Just never had to deal with a seized brake. Hoping that when I get there it will work loose easily. As its rear wheel drive and the handbrakes are on the rear, I'm expecting to have to tow it with the X5 to try an loosen it.

Fingers crossed!

X5. Perfect tool for the job

 

[Jjim]

X5. Perfect tool for the job

That or it might pull the car in half

 

[t-tony]

If it has 5 spoke wheels Jim give the callipers a snack or two with the hammer between the spokes If they're multi spoke wheel take a long drift or 1/2 socket extension poke it through the spokes into the calliper and give it a couple of smacks.

Tony.