Good morning all! I'm working on my sister-in-laws E36, and the parking brake hardware has pulled through the (somewhat rusty) backing plate. I'd like to use something like this to fix it:
I found the pic online - I expect that I could use the round parts shown behind the backing plate to hold the pins. Any thoughts? Anyone recognize the parts so I can order them locally? (I'm not sure what car(s) they are found on)
Thanks! Nathan
You can look up the exact parts for her car at realoem.com I checked there and it appears the OEM retaining parts are available from the BMW dealer for not a lot of money.
Another option is going to the local auto parts store and checking their selection of Dorman Help! replacement parts. There may be something in the brake section that is close enough to suit your needs. However, if her backing plates are rusted so bad the retaining pins have pulled through it may be better to replace them.
The plates aren't badly rusted - just slightly at the edges where the retaining pins are. IE: just enough to pull through. The retaining parts are available, but don't include the round clip shown above that could be used on the backing plate side. I'd use a combination of hardware kits to get it to work.
New backing plates = removing rear hubs and bearings, and likely new bearings as old ones don't often come out well. The plates are cheap, but I'd have a hard time finding time to do it.
BMW hardware kit:
A1-chassis VWs (i.e. early Rabbit/Jetta/Scirocco) rear drums use discs like that. Obviously, I have no idea whether the diameter of the discs or size/length of the retaining rods will work for you. Also worth pondering that unless not much material has been pulled away, you're losing what keeps that part centered in the correct location.
In other words, that's my two cents on the part, but I don't know whether I condone the approach or not...
Essentially, "almost no" material has pulled away - the standard pin "retention" is over a very mall area. She's been driving for months without pins: it's meant the parking brake can't be adjusted to work ideally, rattles a bit over bumps, but the car is safe to drive.
They MAY not need the bearings or any other difficult parts to be removed to take off the backing plates. I was looking at realoem.com and it look like after you remove the rear discs and hardware, the backing plates will come off with one or two bolts. if that IS the case yes replace the backing plates. they are cheap and worth it(really look hard at the actual car, you may be suprised when you look closely). This is the exact thing I am getting ready to do in my E28 along with all the small hardware for the parking brake, although mine are not rusted that bad. good luck with your project!
The shoe retaining pins lock into a slight depression in the backing plate. Using a hammer and dolly you should be able to flatten that indent enough to gain back some the the rusted out material.
You could also buy new backing plates, cut out a patch for each retaining pin hole and use high strength panel adhesive to bond it to the back side of her old rusty backing plate. The adhesive will probably last longer than welding since it wont rust.
