BMW 7 Series: Adjusting Brake System

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

Reversing lever (1) must rest directly on inner-lying tow tube of overrunning brake.

Fig. 2: Identifying Lever

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 With Nut And Brake Linkage Distance

Insert pull rod (1) in brake compensator (2) and screw nut (3) onto pull rod (P2).

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 Of Brake Compensator With Screw Nut

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 Mount With Tension Spring

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

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

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 Upper Brake Shoe Halves Nuts

Adjusting Spring Force Accumulator

The spring force accumulator requires no maintenance and generally does not need to be readjusted.

Adjustment dimension, spring force accumulator: distance between end of support tube - internal washer (1) is 90 mm.

Fig. 9: Identifying Internal Washer

To tension spring force accumulator: turn nut (2) located in support tube (1) clockwise.

To relieve tension on spring force accumulator: turn nut (2) located in support tube (1) counterclockwise.

Fig. 10: Identifying Support Tube With Nut

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