Anyone have any tips for adjusting the parking brake? mine locks on the right side but does not on the left.

I've tired following the TIS (manual) on the process.

 

Adjusting the parking brake on an R53 is ridiculously difficult. See the attached Bentley manual instructions.

 

yes sir. those instructions match TIS.

i tried it. thats how i got to where i am unfortunately. it was quite a let down

 

In that case, you have a stuck piston in your caliper.

 

If you followed that, and you have better than average diy skills, then look at the caliper that is not engaging. These cars are old. Not getting old. 20 years is old. See if the cable is rusted to the cable housing on that side.

 

thank you, Gents. Thats sound logic. however, i literally just rebuilt the brakes. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...e-refresh.html

also, if the piston were frozen, it would not move in with the special tool, as in the adjustment process.

I'll check the cable and calipers again. I need second person to press the brake pedal while i watch at the caliper. that would help. the cables cinch down on both sides (at the caliper). so i think the cables are doing there job. i will update, maybe get some pics as well

 

I had a similar issue on my R50; in my case the right cable was seized and holding the right rear wheel a little bit. I replaced both cables.

 

The parking brake mechanism in the caliper can also freeze/rust. Check to make sure the external parking brake lever on the caliper is moving when pulling the brake handle.

 

+1 all these are good points, those cables like to rust and not slide.

 

sorry forgot to update this thread.

turns out, the piston was not moving with the parking brake or brake pedal. seemed to be frozen. as some suspected. I took the caliper off and used the special tool to turn it out a bit. pressed the brake and it was moving again. fixed.

apparently it was my mistake. I over pressed the piston. pushed it back too far / hard. didn't even know that was possible. lessen learned

 

Happy to hear you solved your problem. I wanted to add that I had to replace my rear brake pads as well as they were uneven.