Cure for crooked handbrake lever?

[E9Wayne]

Hey folks, getting my E9 ready for Monterey next month and today I reworked my handbrake lever as it's gone left dogleg again toward me. I've straigtened this 2 or 3 times over the years but the torque effect seems to pull it constantly to the left and twist it counterclockwise. I've straightened as I've done before by placing a screwdriver to brace the handbrake near the bending point and simply push it back to center. But I'm worried this might eventually snap the shaft or, worse, loosen the handbrake from the transmission tunnel welding points. Is there a better way to straighten or reinforce the handbrake arm so it doesn't go out of spec? Yes, I know, operator error is likely most to blame!

 

[sfdon]

Use the later handle... It was invented because of the problem everyone had with the original one.

Handbremsgriff, Kunststoff für alle Modelle ab 03/1976, wird 1x pro Auto benötigt (518 Linkslenker 4633828 / 518 Rechtslenker 3821106 / 520/4 Linkslenker 4718512 / 520/4 Rechtslenker 4400884 / 520A/4 Linkslenker 4413843 / 520A/4 Rechtslenker 4430832

Handbremsgriff, Kunststoff für alle Modelle ab 03/1976, wird 1x pro Auto benötigt (518 Linkslenker 4633828 / 518 Rechtslenker 3821106 / 520/4 Linkslenker 4718512 / 520/4 Rechtslenker 4400884 / 520A/4 Linkslenker 4413843 / 520A/4 Rechtslenker 4430832 / 520i Linkslenker 4454167 / 520i Rechtslenker...

www.wallothnesch.com

 

[DWMBMW]

Looks like you have the Paul Cain upgrade installed but maybe it was bent too many times with the inherent wobble before the upgrade? and is too fatigued.

 

[HB Chris]

I have the same issue even with Paul’s upgrade, perhaps driver side cable is tighter than passenger side?

 

[rsporsche]

it almost looks like the handle is bent. or the mounting brackets are skewed.

 

[bavbob]

I'm going with Peyronie's disease...............

 

[E9Wayne]

thanks all, it's straight for now, but i'll add it to Don's list after Monterey Car Week...

 

[jmackro]

it almost looks like the handle is bent. or the mounting brackets are skewed.

Perhaps a bit of both. Both the handle and its mounting bracket are made of very thin gauge steel. Not BMW's best engineering effort. Fiat e-brake levers are better-made than those on e3/e9's.

 

[Jimmi]

I have the same issue with the handbrake lever. Its annoying and always triggers the parking brake light on the speedo. If I move it "just so", the light goes out. The joy of a 55 year old classic car!

 

[paul cain]

@E9Wayne It appears that your handle has been bent to the left. Note the cracked paint in your image 4360. You can disassemble this, place the handle in the vice and straighten it up. That should do it. Keep us posted.

 

[TomHom]

....or get one of those

If the base is cracked this (last) one would be available

 

[Larry Louton]

May I suggest, Have your wife or girlfriend set the parking brake which will pull it to the right.

Thank you.

Larry Louton

 

[Ohmess]

Consider replacing that handle with one that has not been bent. There should be a bunch of those laying around. The one I have in my 79 e24 parts car may fit.

 

[Drew Gregg]

May I suggest, Have your wife or girlfriend set the parking brake which will pull it to the right.

Thank you.

Larry Louton

Perhaps also singing "The Hokie Pokie" at the same time might help.

You're welcome...

 

[HB Chris]

And you will need a third hand when you reassemble!

 

[boonies]

And you will need a third hand when you reassemble!

That's for sure. Doing the Paul Cain update was one of my early projects. I was ready to go without an e-brake about mid-way through.

 

[e9Leveque]

That's for sure. Doing the Paul Cain update was one of my early projects. I was ready to go without an e-brake about mid-way through.

I just did this upgrade this weekend. It wasn't as challenging as I thought it would be given the description. I didn't have any help, but there was enough of a gap between the handle and the lateral supports that I could just push each washer into that gap and then onto the central post of the handle. Did first one side and then the other, didn't have to remove the handle from its location. First step was one someone had mentioned here which was using the new bolt to push the old one out so that everything remained lined up. Maybe the car was just being kind to me for once.

 

[Ohmess]

Just looked and my 79 handbrake is the newer style @sfdon mentions. Probably not the look @E9Wayne is seeking.

 

[E9Wayne]

@E9Wayne It appears that your handle has been bent to the left. Note the cracked paint in your image 4360. You can disassemble this, place the handle in the vice and straighten it up. That should do it. Keep us posted.

Thanks, Paul, you are right and I need to try that route. Also maybe have some minor welding with some metal reinforcement over this spot to help prevent future bending and add strength.

 

[jmackro]

Use the later handle... It was invented because of the problem everyone had with the original one.

I am not understanding why a heavier plastic grip would prevent the steel handle behind it from bending when the driver pulls it up and to the left. If the steel handle (and it's base) are made from thin sheet metal, how would installing a grip with finger notches help to reinforce it?