Parking Brake "expanding lock" decided to go for a ride

my emergency brake has been pretty ineffective as of lately so i knew the shoes probably needed replacing. i also had been hearing some pinging back there so i thought the heat shield had come loose (this has happened in the front in the past). heard a violent metallic clanging/rattling noise from the right rear wheel and got a chance to pull it apart this weekend. what i found was interesting.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/nogiba/...in/photostream




the pieces snapped, fell apart, and got smashed all up inside just like a garbage disposal.


what it's SUPPOSED to look like (this was my driver's side)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nogiba/...in/photostream



it's the actuating arm that pulls the shoes apart to engage the e-brake. RealOEM shows this arm as discontinued. anyone have any idea on where to find it?







also, the shoes look to be toasted to me, along with pads and rotors.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nogiba/...in/photostream



http://www.flickr.com/photos/nogiba/...in/photostream

I assume you don't have the Bentley Manual for the E39 which would be of great help to you. TIS, the online BMW repair manual, will be of some help:

http://tis.spaghetticoder.org/s/view.pl?1/02/35/15

You'll also have to get some parts to replace the expander part(s) that are broken in your picture. I can't really see the condition of the e-brake shoes from your pictures.

yes, i'm aware of how the system works, i know how to fix it, but i just need to find out where to buy the part if anyone knows.

Originally Posted by nsogiba

yes, i'm aware of how the system works, i know how to fix it, but i just need to find out where to buy the part if anyone knows.

It's 12.46$ at ECS Tuning and 16.25 at Pelican Parts