Parking Brake

[Mclassy]

So Im tinkering around with the 86 325es I just bought, but I really cant begin much because the E brake is loose even under a lot of tension. Is there a direct way of tightening the cable? Or do I need to go about it a different way? It seems to bite slightly but not enough to stop the car. I checked the brakes and they are not worn beyond the wear line. It actually seems like they are fairly new. So what are the options? New Cable? New springs/retainers? This is kind of first and foremost to get finished because I obviously cant jack the front end if the ebrake wont lock.

Thanks guys!

[Sean]

remove the ebrake handle boot cover, and expose the innards of the ebrake handle.

Under there, you'll see two nuts - each of those are connected to the cable on either side. Tighten these to tighten the ebrake shoes - find the happy point. But remember, make them too tight, and you'll burn up your shoes!

[Dave]

umm . . . wheel chocks?

[jlevie]

Adjust the parking brake the correct way:

1) Lower the hand brake and loosen the cable adjusters.

2) Working through a lug bolt hole turn the star adjuster until the wheel
locks using a flat-bladded screwdriver. I just turn the adjuster until it
doesn't want to turn any more. Then back off the adjuster 12 clicks. Repeat
for the other wheel. Note that the star adjuster is at the 6 o'clock position
on later cars, but at the 10 o'clock position on an E30.

3) Raise and lower the hand brake several times to settle the cables. Then
raise the lever two clicks and tighten the adjusters until the wheel can just
be turned with moderate force.