1986 280i handbrake cable may not be attached to handle

[MCWEDGE]

My handbrake cable has gone completely slack. Had it on the lift yesterday, and it is attached to the calipers. I've searched for info on how the cable attaches to the handle, but drew a blank. I understand that I have to remove, or at least lift the transmission tunnel cover to access the handbrake mechanism. Can anyone describe, or even better have a photo or diagram, of how the cable attaches to the handle mechanism?

Thanks,

Jim McPhee
Placitas, New Mexico

[french dave]

Hi,I could be wrong here but if you can get under the car you can see the handbrake lever/cable attachment from below.Dont think you can reach it but may help find problem.dave

[MCWEDGE]

Thanks for that suggestion. I think you are right that the handle end of the cable may be seen from underneath. I should have taken more time to do that while it was on the lift yesterday. I don't see anyway around getting the transmission tunnel cover up or off, so that's my project for the day!

[MCWEDGE]

Fixed, at least for now. I only had to lift the back end of the transmission tunnel cover, and prop it up. There was a single screw holding it down, under the cover in the recessed area that's good for putting wallet or phone.

I found that the handbrake cable was still attached, but the cable housing had come out of the bracket that is supposed to hold/stop it. There was enough slack in the housing to pull it backwards on the cable, and slip it back in the bracket, just as there was enough to let it come out in the first place. So, what’s to keep that from happening again? I think the next time I have MCWEDGE up in the air, I’ll see if I can adjust some of the slack out at the read adjuster. And put a little grease into it at the fitting. Thinking back, it is friction between the cable and the inside of the housing that would push the housing out of the bracket when the brake is released. Tomorrow I'll go back in there and try to shoot some white grease into the housing where the cable comes out.

Anyway, the handbrake works fine. And I was surprised how robust that cable and housing are! I can’t imagine it breaking, unless it was seriously rubbing and wearing somewhere.

[adam quantrill]

I thought the cable outer was supposed to be attached to the bracket with nut?

Anyhow in case anyone else sees this, a slack cable can also happen if a pad drops off (happened to me once).

[MCWEDGE]

No nut in the front for my handbrake cable housing. the black covering is stripped back about an inch, and that part of the housing is inserted in the bracket. Strictly a friction fit, with perhaps not enough friction to keep it in place.

[adam quantrill]

That doesn't sound right, could be someone fitted a cut down jag cable or sommat?

I suppose you could put some small tie wraps around the cable nice and tight then superglue them down to keep it in place. Also rough up the cable with some sandpaper to key it first for the glue.

[MCWEDGE]

I suspect the cable is original, as I got MCWEDGE in late 2016 with only 10,500 miles. Of course there is no way of knowing that for sure. Your idea of a wire tie is a good one. Next time I go under there I'll put one on.