LEMON Manuals: Even more car manuals for everyone: 1960-2025
Home >> Mini >> 2013 >> Cooper Base, 2D Convertible, Automatic Trans >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 1717 (Trailers - Repair) >> 10 Loading Platform >> 86 10 ... Adjusting Brake System
April 5, 2026: LEMON Manuals is launched! Read the announcement.

86 10 ... Adjusting Brake System

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 BMW Alpina and 2007 BMW Alpina. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Proper adjustment of the brake system is only possible if the brake Bowden cables and all brake system moving parts move freely and are ready for operation.

The wheels must be completely fitted and able to rotate freely. Always adjust both brake sides. The left and right sides are adjusted in the same way.

Pull out overrunning equipment (1) fully in direction of arrow.

Fig 1: Pulling Out Overrunning Equipment
G04786622Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Reversing lever (1) must rest directly on innerlying tow tube of overrunning brake.

Fig 2: Identifying Reversing Lever
G04780976Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Screw brake linkage (1) into nut (2) until distance (3) (nut (2) - end of brake linkage (1)), is 10 - 15mm. Lock brake linkage (1) in position with nut (4).

Check distance (3) and nuts (2, 4) with brake linkage installed.

Fig 3: Identifying Brake Linkage
G04786624Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Insert pull rod (1) in brake compensator (2) and screw nut (3) onto pull rod (2).

Tighten nut (3) until pull rod (1) is free of play.

Check pull rod (1) already fitted for zero play.

Fig 4: Identifying Pull Rod And Brake Compensator
G04780978Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Hook tension spring (1) to tension spring mount (2).

Installation: 

The brake shoes are adjusted in two work steps. In the first step, the distance between the lower half of the brake shoes and the brake drum is adjusted. In the second step, the distance between the upper half of the brake shoes and the brake drum is adjusted.

Fig 5: Identifying Tension Spring And Tension Spring Mount
G04786626Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Rotate road wheel (1) in direction of travel and simultaneously turn adjusting screw (2) in direction of arrow.

Tighten adjusting screw (2) until road wheel (1) can no longer be turned.

Fig 6: Rotating Road Wheel
G04786627Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Turn adjusting screw (1) in direction of arrow and release slowly until road wheel (2) can rotate.

Finish adjustment procedure when slight grinding noises can be heard in lower brake shoe halves.

Fig 7: Turning Adjusting Screw
G04786628Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Firmly tighten handbrake lever three to five times.

Depending on road wheel side, tighten nut (1) or (2) until slight grinding noises can be heard in upper brake shoe halves.

Fig 8: Identifying Nuts
G04786629Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.