How To Repair a Worn Car Handbrake Ratchet

[Mugzee22]

Hi Guys. I recently successfully repaired my hand brake ratchet on my E36 by welding & re-profiling the teeth. I recorded the process for others who may want to attempt a similar repair. Let me know if it was useful. See the You Tube video : youtube____/watch?v=02APSZU0kWw (can't post link but search "How To Repair a Worn Car Handbrake Ratchet" by SilentStrike46.

[jitsjaf2009]

Here is a utube link of one persons fix..seems a bit beyond me since I don't weld, I would hit the pick-a-part junk yard and look for the piece....after checking things like the catch pawl...the piece that looks into the teeth. Typically it would be the first to go...or even the spring tension on the pawl....
www.youtube.com/watch?v=02APSZU0kWw

[Mugzee22]

Looking at it, it seems the pawl might be slightly hardened as it showed little sign of wear even though it does the most work. As for the welding, my qualification for welding is the fact that I bought a welder once.

[jitsjaf2009]

Yes...so did I...a nice little wirefeed unit that everyone said "even a monkey can learn to weld with that". After a bit, I decided not to buy a monkey so sold the welder. If it is not the spring or release mechanism, the only thing I can say is back to finding a new tooth arch in the junk yard, unless you can clean up the teeth with a file or a rotary tool???

[Mugzee22]