X5 e70 park brake failure

[kjb1]

Hi, just parked up on mother in laws drive with engine running and in park, heard the park brake start then it made the loudest graunching noise ever!! and car is now stuck!! the manual release thing doesn't work, its proper stuck!!

ideas?


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[X5Sport]

Sounds like something broke in one if the drums...

Have you tried rocking the car in D & R to see if it will release, or is system saying the brake is on and not letting you?

If it won't play then it's a wheel off & disc/drum off unless you can get at the adjuster and see if you can wind it off?

Richard

[kjb1]

its now saying parking brake failure ( not fault ) I've tried rocking back n forth in reverse and forward, really have to give it some to get it to move. 

Is it worth snipping the cables?


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[X5Sport]

If you can get the wheels off then there is an adjuster window in the drum face.  See if you can wind the shoes off.  A lot less drastic than cutting cabling - which might not help if the issue is at the wheel end not the actuator.

The actuator is on the rear axle component carrier.

[kjb1]

thanks for advice, will try this method first, the noise was at the drivers side rear wheel by sounds of it Richard, and seemed to tie in with the actuator winding itself.  Which side is actuator on out of interest? could it possibly be less expensive than what Ive just priced up regarding actuators!! as they are big money!!!


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[X5Sport]

Rear axle component carrier....looks central.  Sealed unit so probably not repairable - at least by BMW.

[kjb1]

ive searched for repair kits and they are out there, what a headache.  If i free the park brake off can i atleast use the car without it and just use the gearbox as a means of parking for a bit til i sort this?




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[X5Sport]

Plenty of folks never use their parking brakes but rely on the park pawl in the gearbox.  You should be fine as long as you don't park on steep hills.  It's only an emergency brake anyway.  You could even use chocks.

[kjb1]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZK3VG6FjOqQ


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[X5Sport]

Ours are a different unit.....

[kjb1]

well, I now have no hand brake, but can use the car !!!

friend works for bmw as workshop controller, he popped down after work and got it going, new unit complete is £810 retail, he can get it for £691, and fit for £100!! [emoji25][emoji35] bloomin car!!!


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[X5Sport]

Holy Sh!t.  What the h3ll is it made of?  Unobtainium?

[kjb1]

yep!! so over priced.  Bugs me.


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[graemeX5]

Hi

That is really expensive.

Have you thought about a second hand unit from a car dismantlers it may be worth a couple of calls and could save some money

[kjb1]

like rocking horse doodoo apparently.  I phoned loads yesterday!! 1 person had one @ £395!! which in my eyes could fail  the next day.

Also I think they need to be coded to the car also.


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