How to remove parking brake cable on 2005 BMW 325?

Cables

Removal & Installation

E30 Models

Fig. A typical parking brake lever and cable assembly used on BMW models

Fig. Pull the spreader lock (A) out of the housing and remove the pin at the lower end. Disconnect the cable at (B) and pull the inner portion out of the housing

1. Raise and safely support the vehicle. Remove the rear tire and wheel assembly. Remove the rear brake rotors.
2. Pull the rubber parking brake boot up at the front and lift off at the rear. Pull out the rear ashtray and remove the bolt. Pull the console back and remove.
3. Remove the adjuster nuts from the cables. Remove the 3 bolts securing the lever. Remove the lever.
4. Using brake spring pliers, disconnect the lower return spring for the parking brake shoes. Then, using the proper tool, turn the retaining springs for the parking brake shoes 90 degrees to unlock them and remove.
5. Separate the parking brake shoes at the bottom and remove from above.
6. Disconnect the spreader locks from the backing plates: first, rock the lower end of the spreader lock outward, and then pull out the pin. Press the cable connection out of the spreader lock. Pull the spreader lock out of the housing.
7. Disconnect the parking brake cable at the trailing arm and the backing plate. Remove the cable.

To install:

1. Install the support for the parking brake cable on the backing plate. Install the cable into potion and connect the housing to the trailing arm.
2. Install the cable into the tubes going to the parking brake lever. Install the parking brake lever.
3. Connect the parking brake cable to the spreader lock. Apply a light grease to the mechanism. Install the brake shoes, retainers and return spring.
4. Install the brake rotor and wheel. Adjust the shoes, the adjust the cables. Install the console and boot for the parking brake lever.

E36 Models

1. Raise and safely support the vehicle. Remove the rear tire and wheel assembly. Remove the rear brake rotors. Remove the rear muffler and heat shield.
2. Pull the parking brake lever dust cover trim up and out of the vehicle.
3. Remove the adjuster nuts from the cables using Tool No. 34 1 030 or equivalent.
4. Using brake spring pliers, disconnect the lower return spring for the parking brake shoes. Then, using the proper tool, turn the retaining springs for the parking brake shoes 90 ° to unlock them and remove.
5. Separate the parking brake shoes at the bottom and remove from above.
6. Disconnect the spreader locks from the backing plates: first, rock the lower end of the spreader lock outward, and then pull out the pin. Press the cable connection out of the spreader lock. Pull the spreader lock out of the housing.
7. Disconnect the parking brake cable at the trailing arm and the backing plate. Remove the cable.

To install:

1. Install the support for the parking brake cable on the backing plate. Install the cable into potion and connect the housing to the trailing arm.
2. Install the cable into the tubes going to the parking brake lever. Install the parking brake lever cable nuts.
3. Connect the parking brake cable to the spreader lock. Apply a light grease to the mechanism. Install the brake shoes, retainers and return spring.
4. Install the brake rotor and wheel. Adjust the shoes, the adjust the cables. Install the console and boot for the parking brake lever.

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