Change Car Handbrake Cable BMW 4-Series
Change Car Handbrake Cable
| Estimated time | 0h30 |
|---|---|
| Estimated labour cost | ~50£ |
| Difficulty | Very easy |
| Check the parking brake* | 0h30 |
| Adjust the parking brake | 0h45 |
| Check the brake pedal travel | 0h30 |
| Check the parking brake shoes* | 0h30 |
| Remove/refit both parking brake cables | 2h30–3h30 |
| Renew both parking brake cables | 2h30–3h30 |
| Remove/refit the parking brake cable | 2h00 |
| Renew the parking brake cable | 2h00 |
| Check the parking brake cable* | 0h30 |
| Repair the handbrake cable* | 0h30 |
| Lubricate the parking brake cable* | 0h30 |
| Repair the parking brake lever | 0h30 |
| Remove/refit the parking brake shoes | 1h30 |
| Renew the parking brake shoes | 1h30 |
| Clean the parking brake shoes* | 0h30 |
| Mechanical parking brake | 0h30 |
| Difficult parking brake cable removal* | 0h30 |
| Remove/refit the left parking brake cable | 2h00–3h00 |
| Renew the left parking brake cable | 2h00–3h00 |
| Remove/refit the right parking brake cable | 2h00–3h00 |
| Renew the right parking brake cable | 2h00–3h00 |
| Remove/refit the parking brake lever rubber handle | 0h30 |
| Renew the parking brake lever rubber handle | 0h30 |
| Remove/refit the parking brake lever | 1h30 |
| Renew the parking brake lever | 1h30–2h00 |
| Mechanical parking brake* | 0h30–3h00 |
| Remove/refit the left parking brake cable Automatic transmission | 2h00 |
| Remove/refit the left parking brake cable Manual transmission | 2h00 |
| Renew the left parking brake cable Manual transmission | 2h00 |
| Renew the left parking brake cable Automatic transmission | 2h00 |
| Remove/refit the right parking brake cable Automatic transmission | 2h00 |
| Remove/refit the right parking brake cable Manual transmission | 2h00 |
| Renew the right parking brake cable Manual transmission | 2h00 |
| Renew the right parking brake cable Automatic transmission | 2h00 |
| Remove/refit both parking brake cables Automatic transmission | 2h30 |
| Remove/refit both parking brake cables Manual transmission | 2h30 |
| Renew both parking brake cables Automatic transmission | 2h30 |
| Renew both parking brake cables Manual transmission | 2h30 |
| Remove/refit the parking brake lever Manual transmission | 1h30 |
| Remove/refit the parking brake lever Automatic transmission | 1h30 |
| Renew the parking brake lever Manual transmission | 1h30 |
| Renew the parking brake lever Automatic transmission | 1h30–2h00 |
| Repair the parking brake lever* | 0h30 |
| Check the parking brake shoes | 0h30 |
| Adjust the parking brake* | 0h45 |
What is the function of BMW 4-Series handbrake cables?
The handbrake cables transmit the force exerted on the lever (or pedal) to the rear brakes. The handbrake (parking brake) immobilises the vehicle when parked, even on steep slopes. It also serves as an emergency brake in the event of main braking circuit failure.
Does my BMW 4-Series have handbrake cables?
Some vehicles have a handbrake with a lever and cables (entry-level models and those over 5 years old). Other vehicles have an electric parking brake operated via a button. Vehicles with electric parking brakes do not have conventional handbrake cables.
When should you change the BMW 4-Series handbrake cables?
Replace if: the handbrake lever travel is excessive despite adjustment, the cable is frayed or corroded, the cable outer sheath is split, or the cable has seized (common in vehicles not driven regularly). Also replace if the vehicle rolls on a slope with the handbrake fully applied.
Is it difficult to change BMW 4-Series handbrake cables?
Difficulty level 1/5: very easy. Key steps: release the handbrake, raise and support the vehicle, disconnect the cable from the brake mechanism at the wheel end, disconnect from the handbrake lever, feed the new cable through the same route, reconnect at both ends, adjust tension so the lever locks at 4–7 clicks, test on a slope.
2 models covered
| Model | Year Range | Engines covered | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4-Series 2013-2020 | 2013-2020 | 418d Diesel (B47D20A), 418d Diesel (N47D20C), 418i Petrol (B38B15A), 420d Diesel (B47D20A), 420d Diesel (N47D20C), 420d, -xDrive Diesel (B47D20A), 420d, -xDrive Diesel (N47D20C), 420d, -xDrive M Performance Diesel (B47D20A), 420d, -xDrive M Performance Diesel (N47D20C), 420i, -x… | Diesel, Petrol |
| 4-Series 2020-2025 | 2020-2025 | 420d mHev, -xDrive 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B47D20B+JA1), 420d mHev, -xDrive 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B47D20B+JA1), 420i Petrol (B48B16A), 420i, xDrive Petrol (B48B20A), 430d mHev, xDrive 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B57D30B+JA1), 430i, -xDrive Petrol (B48B20B), M4 Competition, -xDrive Petrol (S58B30… | 48V (MHEV), Diesel, Petrol |
