E-brake with E21 rear brakes

[Fatherof3]

Is the stock e-brake handle the correct leverage ratio for E21 brakes?

The rear brake components all appear fairly new but when I pull my e-brake handle there is not a gradual feeling of it cinching up. The handle pulls fairly free until it stops more abruptly than any e-brake I have used

and the real problem is it's not holding the car.

[halboyles]

The cables are stretched or you need to adjust the shoes tighter against the drums.  Many postings on the how to.

[Artcop]

You need to replace the cables with ones from a Turbo, which are slightly longer. I can't believe you actually got the stock ones to stretch that far. Sounds like they may be pulling against the drum instead of the compression springs.

http://www.rogerstii.com/bmw-2002-turbo-parking-brake-cable/

Edited November 1, 2017 by Artcop

[halboyles]

Stock '02 cables will work with only a small mod and won't cost you $60..

 

Please see mlytle's comment at the end of this thread:  

 

[Dionk]

+1 on 2002 turbo parking brake cable. It's what I did when I went with the e21 rear drums. Think I got it from Rogerstii possibly Blunttech. 

 

Also consider the Paul Cain parking brake upgrade. Bought from coupeking. Think they are presently out of stock.

 

My ebrake is solid and has a good feel to it. 

[Fatherof3]

I'll look into those previous write ups.

 

The cables that are in there are to long. I had to put spacers behind the adjusting nuts on the handle. 

With the car on jack stands and the wheels turning I adjusted the cables until I heard the shoes starting to drag. Then pulling the handle it comes up less than 30 degrees and tightens up firm but when test driving there is almost no slowing or holding effect.

Edited November 1, 2017 by Fatherof3

['76mintgrün'02]

The stock rear brakes on mine work just like that... (like sh!t), in spite of being adjusted at the cables/shoes.

I am guessing glazed shoes are my problem... but I dunno.

Mike has the same problem with his and in a weird way, that makes me feel a little better.

Maybe I should keep a cheater bar under the seat, to get some real leverage on the handle  

[halboyles]

42 minutes ago, Fatherof3 said:

 there is almost no slowing or holding effect.

 

31 minutes ago, '76mintgrun'02 said:

I am guessing glazed shoes are my problem

 

 

Yeah, the parking brake on the '02s sucks but you should definitely be able to hold the car with it on.

 

Leaking wheel cylinder?  Glazed pads/drums? Worn p-brake/shoe components?  If you can draw the cable tight with the lever and you can still roll the car, it doesn't sound like replacing the cables is the answer.

['76mintgrün'02]

Just now, halboyles said:

Glazed pads/drums?

my guess.

no signs of leakage (unlike my clutch master)