Adjusting the parking brake (BMW 5 Series E28)

Models with rear drum brakes

Adjustment of the parking brake cable(s) on models with rear drum brakes may only be necessary if you are replacing the cable or if for some reason it is disconnected from the rear brake assembly. Parking brake system failure is usually due to worn brake shoes or a faulty self-adjusting mechanism.

1. Jack up the rear of the vehicle and securely place it on axle supports.

2. Release the parking brake lever completely, then press the brake pedal firmly several times.

3. Apply the parking brake lever five clicks.

4. Tighten or loosen the adjusting nuts an equal number of turns so that the rear brake shoes are just slightly pulled toward the brake drum. You should feel equal resistance on both wheels when turning.

5. Release the parking brake lever and check that the wheels rotate freely. If not, adjust them again.

Models with rear disc brakes

On models with rear disc brakes, the parking brake system is not self-adjusting. Therefore, the parking brake requires periodic adjustment to compensate for wear. In addition, it should be adjusted whenever the cable, brake disc, or parking brake assembly is replaced or removed for any reason.

1. Slowly apply the parking brake and count the number of clicks of the lever. If the lever is applied more than eight clicks, adjust the parking brake cable as follows.

2. Bend back the parking brake lever boot and loosen the cable adjustment nut. On some models, this may require removing the entire center console.

3. Loosen one bolt on each rear wheel. Jack up the car and securely place it on axle stands.



4. Loosen the bolts you loosened on both rear wheels. Rotate the wheel until you can see the adjuster wheel through the bolt hole with a wrench.

5. Turn the adjuster - clockwise to spread the shoes and counterclockwise to move them - until the brake shoes contact the brake drum. Set the brake shoes so that the wheel rotates freely (three or four regulator teeth).

If the adjuster wheel turns with difficulty, remove the wheel and brake disc, lubricate the adjuster wheel and try again.

6. With the disc installed, apply the parking brake three times to stretch and seat the cables, then slowly pull up on the parking brake lever until it clicks five times. Tighten the cable adjusting nuts an equal number of turns until the rear brake shoes just touch the brake drum. Make sure both wheels have equal resistance when turning.

7. Release the parking brake and make sure both rear wheels turn freely.

8. Tighten the wheel mounting bolts to the required torque.

This article is based on data from the website: «BMWMan»