So I got my JCW brake handle for my 2006 R53 and tried to install it today. The OEM handle came off with much more brute force than I expected would be required, but nothing broke. Then I realized the JCW handle does not have a tab at the tip to prevent it from rotating on the center rod. Has someone had experience with this to help me out? Is this the wrong part? Or is there a different way to attach the JCW handle? Thanks for any helpful suggestions.

 

OK, so I found the "official" installation instructions on Motoring File, and it says to use Sikaflex adhesive to join the JCW handle to the center rod. That seems awfully permanent... What if I want to change it again later? Has anyone installed the handle this way, or is there a better method?

 

a little bit of silcone inside it. It'll hold it in place and if you ever want to remove it in the future, give it a nice twist and it's break free and you can peel the silicone off

 

I found a thread somewhere that mentioned wrapping the handle with some electrical tape and then twisting the JCW handle on over it. I tried it with duct tape and while it gets a little loose in the hottest parts of summer, it holds great the rest of the year (and I've had it on for 2+ yrs now)

 

I live in Arizona, so tape might only work 6 months of the year.

 

I did the electrical tape thing. it works just fine. you can alter how thick the wrap is to help decide how tight it should fit. I've had to pull mine off twice...once for a stereo install where I stripped the interior and again to replace the armrest console for a normal one.

 

I wrapped mine fairly lightly so, as PGT mentioned above, you may have better results by wrapping it thicker I like this method because it's easy to remove everything and go back to stock

 

OK, I tried the electrical tape method, and it worked reasonably well. I can still rotate the handle with moderate effort, but I can live with that. Looks great and feels great installed. Thanks for all your help.

 

No worries dude, that's what we're here for
And this way, if it's too loose of if you decide that you never want to change back to std, you can still glue it later

 

Same concept but use E6000, it is a little stronger than silicone but has the same advantages.....

http://www.eclecticproducts.com/e6000_series_retail.htm

 

Yeah, I was in for a rude surprise when I got the JCW handle! I had no idea, and the thing didn't come with any installation instructions, so I was on my own. I ended up wrapping the brake in gaffer's tape- the fabric nature of the tape grips the inside of the handle really well, it's really flexible and easy to wrap/tear, and it won't leave much residue if I ever go insane and want to take the handle back off. The only downside is that it's like $15 a roll at theatrical supply shops... :(

:EDIT: Looking back, the silicone idea sounds great. I might have to try it, sounds less messy and more effective.