Changing the E36 Handbrake Lever By Chris Parcell I wanted to change the handbrake from the standard plastic

c one to a BMW leather one. Rather than other aftermarket handbrake handles that only require you to pull the plastic handle off the lever and refit the replacement, this required the whole lever was changed. That was fine because my old one had some sideways play. This is a short description of how it was changed with some rather low-resolution pictures and a reference diagram. Part Numbers refer to the diagram at the end Parts required: 34 41 2 227 558 Leather Handbrake Handle Black 32.60 + vat - (Other colours available) Plastic cable tie Tools required: Cutter Crosshead screwdriver 12mm & 10mm spanners 13mm socket 1) Chock the wheels and release the handbrake

Old bricks arent really recommended because splinters of brick can get stuck in the tyre (oh well!) (Excuse the wheels).

2) Whats being replaced.

Not a great photo, but I wanted something smarter to go with the illuminated gear knob. 3) Remove plastic console

To do this, lift up the gaiter around the handbrake at the back edge first, fold forward as shown in picture and cut the tie holding it onto the lever carefully. The hazard light conceals a screw for the console and this can be accessed by lifting the gear gaiter and pushing it out from underneath. The two ashtrays (you may have an armrest which is slightly different) need to be taken out to reveal some more screws (2 in each) and then a further one under the rear ashtray along with the one under the hazard light. 4) The console removed

You may need to lift the handbrake now to move the console clear. Dont worry if you dont have the two wires on the left, I have just routed some chunky cable for the rear speakers along here. Make sure the handbrake is released. You will see two nuts screwed on either side of the handle (parts 10 & 11), which are the adjustment for the cables (part 9 x 2). Just undo them all and remove. There is an earth cable attached to the back of the lever that should be freed from the clip. The handbrake is fixed by 3 off 13mm bolts that are removed with a socket. It may be difficult without a socket as the bolt on the drivers side is concealed under the carpet. Undo them all and pull the handle free.

5) Old vs. New

Where the cable goes back

On the top is the not so wildly different leather handle (but feel the quality!). Its a bit chunkier and looks a lot better, even if it does not stand out. The lever is designed slightly differently with a spring to remove any free play when the cables are not under tension. 6) Refitting As per usual its all in reverse order so: Place new lever in position over the boltholes, making sure that the cable end screws are passed through the holes at the bottom of the lever on each side. Now fix down the lever with the three bolts remembering to replace the brass coloured mount for the console to the back bolt. Reconnect the wire. Now put the nuts back on the handbrake cable ends and roughly wind down to the handle. Lift the handbrake and replace the plastic console. It has to go in front end first, then line up the holes and re fit the screws. (Mine had a larger screw under the rear ashtray that I tried (unsuccessfully) to fit in another hole!) Try adjusting the handbrake cables. Mine looked quite unworn and were exactly the same length, but you should aim to adjust with the lower screw on each until they are pulling on the cable at the same point and the car is not lifting unevenly, and then fix in place with the top nut.

The handbrake gaiter can be refitted by putting it on the handle, inside out, and tying the end with a plastic cable tie/fastener and then pulling over the handle. Refit the hazard light and gear gaiter. When the handbrake is pulled on the light on the dash should come on and the car should be stationary hopefully. You can adjust the cable until it suits. 7) The finished article

Now go and test it! Please only attempt to copy this if you feel confident in your mechanical abilities, and can take responsibility for your own actions, because I dont. Its not hard to do, an hours work if you have all the bits and tools collected, but take care refitting and adjusting the new handbrake so that you can use it when you need it.

Reference Diagram (BMW):