Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

Handbrake ratchet (lever) EASY FIX e53 bmw

How-To articles ONLY go here.
Post Reply
Entwicklung34
Member
Member
Posts: 90
Joined: Tue Oct 27, 2015 10:38 am

Handbrake ratchet (lever) EASY FIX e53 bmw

Post by Entwicklung34 » Tue Oct 23, 2018 9:38 pm

Hi there. I've learnt a lot from the members this forum so wanted to give something back. Here goes...

My handbrake ratchet must have sheered/warn down and mot time was fast approaching so i set about researching how to change the handbrake lever. All of the info led me to believe this was a big job involving moving of the centre console... and a second hand part was £75. Not great.

So I found a bit of a shortcut by removing the drivers seat (it's a right hand drive), and prying out the side cover of the centre console with a screwdriver to reveal the lower part of the handbrake mechanism...

From here you will see part of the ratchet (the part with the teeth) and the wire connections with the double nuts on). I loosened off the nuts (taking note of their positions before undoing them) and pulled the handbrake up as far as it would go. This exposed the ratchet part with the teeth thay were worn down.

Now i simply used a semi-circle type metal file to get the teeth back in shape and this worked an absolute treat.

No need to remove the centre console or buy a new part. A £4 file did the trick.

I did take pictures but i'm uploading this on my phone and cant seem to get them on... will try to add them when i get on the laptop to help people visualise the fix.

Image

Image

Image

Image

IMPORTANT NOTE...
*Do your research on seat removal... disconnect the battery before unplugging your seat. (Yes this is annoying but must be done!)

Hope this is useful to someone in future and saves you a few £££££
Last edited by Entwicklung34 on Wed Oct 24, 2018 11:37 am, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
Alan Gunn
Snr Member
Snr Member
Posts: 1340
Joined: Thu Dec 08, 2016 10:32 pm
Location: Anglesey North Wales

Re: Handbrake ratchet (lever) EASY FIX e53 bmw

Post by Alan Gunn » Wed Oct 24, 2018 8:01 am

Thanks for that one.
It might come in handy one day.

User avatar
sleepyfolk
Member
Member
Posts: 452
Joined: Fri Jun 06, 2014 12:07 am

Re: Handbrake ratchet (lever) EASY FIX e53 bmw

Post by sleepyfolk » Wed Oct 24, 2018 11:35 pm

If you’re disconnecting the battery to avoid airbag faults, you can just take out fuse 44 (double check the fuse number my memory might be bad!) and then you can disconnect airbags without getting a fault light
E53 X5 4.6is Carbon Black 2003
Mercedes CLK 320
Audi A6 Quattro 2.4

Entwicklung34
Member
Member
Posts: 90
Joined: Tue Oct 27, 2015 10:38 am

Re: Handbrake ratchet (lever) EASY FIX e53 bmw

Post by Entwicklung34 » Fri Oct 26, 2018 7:51 am

No problem Alan cheers mate.

And sleepyfolk great point that... might come in handy that for me in future and save messing with the spare wheel etc

Entwicklung34
Member
Member
Posts: 90
Joined: Tue Oct 27, 2015 10:38 am

Re: Handbrake ratchet (lever) EASY FIX e53 bmw

Post by Entwicklung34 » Sat Oct 27, 2018 8:50 am

Quick note to say it sailed through the MOT yesterday and the handbrake has been operating perfectly since filing in the new teeth.

Another year before having to worry about that again!!

scotthnz
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Jan 31, 2023 1:50 am

Handbrake ratchet (lever) EASY FIX e53 bmw

Post by scotthnz » Tue Jan 31, 2023 1:53 am

I tried This and It worked a treat. Didnt unplug seats, just unbolted and moved back to access handbrake
Attachments
20230131_134617.jpg
20230131_134617.jpg (262.16 KiB) Viewed 7500 times
20230131_134546.jpg
20230131_134546.jpg (127.21 KiB) Viewed 7500 times
20230131_133821.jpg
20230131_133821.jpg (256.19 KiB) Viewed 7500 times

Australianforester
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 1
Joined: Sat Apr 22, 2023 2:57 pm

Handbrake ratchet (lever) EASY FIX e53 bmw

Post by Australianforester » Sat Apr 22, 2023 3:01 pm

You are a genius mate!!! Stumbled across your solution by pure chance when looking for a handbrake lever. At the same time, dreading all the faff to replace the lever.
Tried your method. Can't believe how easy it was to do.
All working perfectly now and cost me nothing except about half hour of my afternoon!

User avatar
X5Sport
Global Moderator
Global Moderator
Posts: 18508
Joined: Fri Sep 03, 2010 4:09 pm
Location: Planet X6......

Handbrake ratchet (lever) EASY FIX e53 bmw

Post by X5Sport » Sat Apr 22, 2023 4:26 pm

And :hi: to the Forum as well :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
:ant: Never anthropomorphise computers. They hate that.

Post Reply