Drum Brakes Efficiency

[Vladmic]

Hey guys, it's been a long time since I've written on this forum. Glad it's still running. Great job!

I still have my BMW E36 318i and I love it. Searched high and low for a new car but none were good enough to replace this one

I've always had this issue, of barely having any brake power from my rear drum brakes, but always thought that it was normal. I have to regularly tighten the handbrake and drum spring but it does't last long. Turns loose again after a few weeks. I've always felt that the car's brakes are 80% front and 20% rear.

Until recently, I found out by chance that if I pull up the handbrake while driving and after pushing on the brakes once, my rear drum brakes would actually start working much better. I feel the car stopping from the rear almost as much as from the front. Its brakes start functioning almost like the E46 (4 disk brakes).

It's not very practical or "car healthy" to use the e-brake while driving, could you please point me in the right direction?

By the way, the ride is much smoother with the low efficiency brakes, the better the brakes the more discomfort u get while stopping.

Thank you in advance,
BMW E36 fan & owner!