Door brake noise repair

[rudy1952]

I have a solution for the door brake crack noise. It is not an issue with the door brake itself. It is an issue where the pin that holds the door brake to the door jamb that needs correcting.
This is how I solve that annoying crack crack. I removed the pin and replaced it with a thicker bolt and nut. I use a tap to make the threads directly to the door jamb wings. I made sure that the bolt would fit loosely in the door brake arm. I packed some grease before inserting the bolt and secured the bolt into the top wing and left the bolts to the door brake to allow movement white screwing the bolt in to ensure that the bolt would catch bottom wing on the door jamb. Once the screw went thru the bottom wing, then I secured a lock nut but didn't tighten it completely. Problem solved no more cracking noise. Love working on improvement for my 74 3.0cs

 

[jefflit]

That's one solution. And has the added benefit of being removable with a tool other than a hammer. As an alternative, for $10 and no modifications to the car body you could fix more than 20 door brakes.

As you've identified, the problem is the play between the pin and the brake. I believe the original solution was a plastic sleeve to take up the play, at least that's what came in the new E12 door brakes I bought (see https://e9coupe.com/forum/threads/door-brakes.30272/post-260800). A more robust solution would be a brass sleeve.

The pin is a tad less than 5mm OD while the hole in the brake is a bit over 6mm. You can get brass tubing in 5mm ID/6mm OD from McMaster Carr. A 0.5 meter piece is $9.56. https://www.mcmaster.com/products/tubing/system-of-measurement~metric/od~6mm/id~5mm/ You might find even cheaper in your local hardware or auto part store's Dorman drawers. Or there are probably a number of ways you could find similarly sized plastic tubing.

Use your tubing cutter to cut to the height of the brake (~18.5mm), grease up, insert into brake, reinstall pin (you might need to straighten your old one after years of flopping around in there or buy new ones from W&N for 4 Euro each). Years of quiet trouble free service.

 

[Stevehose]

I just did this today with 1/8" hard clear plastic tubing greased up with the original pin squeezed in with offset pliers. When it wears out I'll do the brass version.

 

[rudy1952]

I had seen the those solutions but I wanted a more permanent solution and didn't want the banging down the pin with a hammer. I originally took out what appears to be a Mercedes door brake replacement and inspected it took it apart and greased the spring and 2 ball bearings it was difficult and it was not the problem. Then I discovered the issue being at the drive pin and wanted a more permanent solution not involving a hammered drive pin. Anyhow just wanted to share the solution with other proud owners of the E9 s. I am still looking for an Air Dam or lower Fascia supplier to improve the front end look and yet to find one. Any help from members would be appreciated. Happy motoring to all.