e-brake body tubes -replaceable?

[jrobie79]

can these be replaced? I noticed they have a part number on realoem, but how are they attached to the body? Are they just bedded into the underbody schutz? or are they tacked to the body under all the schutz?

when I was replacing the cables, I actually separated the ferrule from the rest of the cable, so in my frustration I drilled the stuck ferrule out; and accidentally drilled the ebrake tube which caused the passenger side to be shorter, and screwed up up the adjustment on the hand lever...I was going to just stack washers to the new cable ferrule, but I figured i'd do something a little more permanent and correct.

Another idea I had was to find a piece of steel tubing with the same ID as the brake cable ferrule, and then shave down the other end ID to slip over the existing tube and put 2 quick tack welds in place to hold that new extension in...

thoughts?

[Seawolf]

I don't know how they are secured but they are fairly long and may just be clamped to the tunnel if your lucky, it would be interesting to find out.

barbierij had a set for sale on this thread http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=119820 and they may still be available.

If you look at the pic they're a couple of feet long and will be 'fun' to install once you've removed the seats, console, carpet etc....etc

[jrobie79]

I don't know how they are secured but they are fairly long and may just be clamped to the tunnel if your lucky, it would be interesting to find out.

barbierij had a set for sale on this thread http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=119820 and they may still be available.

If you look at the pic they're a couple of feet long and will be 'fun' to install once you've removed the seats, console, carpet etc....etc

I'm gonna put my car on the lift and take another look tomorrow. I don't see why the rear seats/carpeting need to be removed, I think they just run up under the cabin until they are just under the rear center console section before diving up. If I decide to replace them I'll document for sure.

[Seawolf]

Last time I replaced my e-brake cables (a couple of months ago) the tube ends weren't visible at the e-brake handle end, they are under the rear carpet somewhere.

Unless you can cut the carpet back far enough without the cut showing you may have to remove the front seats to lift the carpet to get at whatever secures the in car tube ends.

[jrobie79]

I'll look at eventually, when I'm not lazy, for now I'll just turn into the curbs when I park on hills

[TobyB]

They are tack- welded to the body in at least one place.

So replaceable, if you have a welder.

t

[jeffnhiscars]

Part of the drum>disc conversion set I bought from someone included the ebrake cables which were still in the shell. Fortunately it was sitting on stumps so lots of room to work. I could not get one ferrule to let go so figured I'd take a chunk of the tubing with it and deal with it at home.

I can safely say that replacing the metal tube should be an absolute last resort... I'd sooner drop a subframe on a salted chassis (and I have).

Funny thing is while I was under the car I struck up a conversation with someone pulling parts from above. Turned out he had an M3 he was thinking of selling and he invited me to come see it. The guy was building a 3000ft shop (drool, envy) and although he DDed the M since it was almost new, he rarely drove it any more. 200k+ and he recently had Korman look it over and was told it wasn't ready for a rebuild.

Alpine white with one bumper scuff, M stripes across the hood and immaculate black leather. $15500 but he wasn't quite ready to sell and last time I emailed him he said it was gone.

My ferrule story for the day

[jrobie79]

I think I'm just gonna find a piece of steel tubing that has a thick wall - I'll file/mill it down on one end to accept the e-brake cable ferrule, and do the same to the other end so that it slips over the existing e-brake tube. Once I get the length figured out I'll just throw 2 or 3 small tack welds around it and seam seal the shit out of it, should be good enough

[barbierij]

I still have the tubes in my FS thread if you are interested.



The easiest is what you suggested and cut the end of a tube and weld it onto your existing tube.