E39 528 failed MOT on Handbrake

[sparks_E39]

Took it in this morning, tester said it was in great condition apart from the handbrake causing it to fail. The cars an auto so admittedly I don't use it as often as normal. Both offside and nearside brakes failed, coming in at 11% instead of the minimum 16%. Hopefully it just needs adjusting, the handbrake does come up a long way so I did expect it to come up. Being looked at tomorrow morning and has its retest at 4pm. The guy did say its a testament to the car on its otherwise great condition after 11 years and 130k.

[Pickled Piper]

Hi, had something similar on my E39 recently. Can be down to a number of things. Possibly just adjustment. Can also be glazing of the drums and handbrake shoes. They need a good rub over with an abrasive paper to remedy this. Mine actually failed because the handbrake cable had totally seized. Required a new handbrake cable.

Good luck.

pp

[SJobson]

I think my E39 handbrake needed fixing on two out of the three MOTs I put the car through - E39 handbrakes are just poor.

[sparks_E39]

Thank-you, can it be expensive?

[SJobson]

Depends exactly what needs replacing! I've never had to just fix the handbrake and it's a while ago now, so I can't remember what the breakdown of costs would have been.

[sparks_E39]

Hopefully its just an adjustment needed, it still works but you have to pull it up a long way before it does.

[Renn Sport]

I had the same issue on the wife’s car.

Basically the rear shoes had glazed up. I replaced the rear discs and pads (needed doing) and deglazed the rear shoes with sand paper. Remember to degrease the inside of the drum the shoes act against. Also deglaze again with some fine sandpaper.

This worked for me,

Good luck.

[MarkwG]

My tip or next year: use it or lose it! In my experience, they fail because they seize up with inactivity. If it's not too far gone a gentle run for a couple of hundred yards with the handbrake just on can deglaze it enough to make the difference, however, if it's seized that could make things worse. Then try & use it as you would with a manual car, it should then be fine next year. Worth noting, I believe it's also an emergency brake to slow the car if the main brakes fail, rather than "just" a parking brake, hence the need for it on the MOT. Maybe that's a bit old fashioned these days, but still...

[sparks_E39]

Car is fixed! Got the handbrake adjusted, dodgy brake sensor replaced, MOT and clean up of the handbrake components for just shy of £90, very happy.

Edited by sparks_E39 on Thursday 14th October 09:56