Handbrake R40 (Alternative) Mini R53

[thompn]

Done the R53 mod today, two of us on it, 2.5 hours start to finish and that was whipping out both front seats, gave seats and carpets a good clean too.
Many thanks for the excellent "how to" wouldn't have tackled it without it.
Handbrake is fantastic now, difference is night and day.
I obviously have the old compensator and cable left, would be a shame to throw it out, if it is any good to you, or anyone else to modify, pm me with your address and I will stick it in the post.

Cheers

Jim ......

[Arctic]

Originally Posted by thompn

Done the R53 mod today, two of us on it, 2.5 hours start to finish and that was whipping out both front seats, gave seats and carpets a good clean too.
Many thanks for the excellent "how to" wouldn't have tackled it without it.
Handbrake is fantastic now, difference is night and day.

HI Jim.
Yes please I will take the cable and compensator from they are always useful.

The fitting is somewhat more difficult than the SSC, it can be done without removing the seats but as you say is not easy, I have managed to fit one in about 40 minutes with everything going smooth, I have not fitted as many as the SSC.

I suppose if you were fitting them regular it would be come more easy thank you for your feedback it is most appreciated Arctic

[MGR]

Hi everyone

I am new to the forum, I do own a ZT 190 for a little more than 7 years now and I am living in Switzerland. I've done pretty much in DIY, but this is the first time I am really struggling. As you might expect I am also suffering from a poor handbrake and read through all the very helpful posts.

As I did not find a cable and compensator at the breakers or the internet I went to BMW Mini to get a new R53 handbrake (alltogether) with the part nr. 34 40 6774814. The pictures in the parts catalogue (from BMW) did match with the photos from Arctic and several other posts.

I then compared the two cables, they somehow changed the length (it's shorter now) and the form of the compensator. The nut ist not 13mm socket anymore, 10mm now. So there must have been a design change, they told it is all the same for all the mini up to now.

Is there another part number which will fit eventually? Could someone provide the correct design as it seems that I am not able to get it through BMW anymore.

Appreciate any help, thanks!
Regards
Chris

I've taken a few photos:

https://ibb.co/ewYv3w
https://ibb.co/g1rF3w
https://ibb.co/cA9eVb
https://ibb.co/iazPwG

[Arctic]

HI Chris.
The handbrake you have been sent or purchased is for the later mini after 2005 what you need is the one that fits R50/52/53/ which fits up to 2005, as in the photo's on the how to thread, I have noticed quite a few members are ordering the wrong part.
(Mini BMW part number 34 40 6763063)
Below are a couple of photo's of the R53 and the stainless steel Compensator next to each other. Arctic

What you need
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bmw-Mini-M...oAAOSw-CpX9mQA

What to avoid
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-MINI-R50-R52-R53-R56-R57-R58-R59-HANDBRAKE-LEVER-GENUINE-2000-2013-6774814-/182720815449?hash=item2a8b026159:gkoAAOSwEK9XAo6 7

PS
The Stainless Steel Compensators are still available to all members far and wide I also have a couple of Mini R53 left that have not been used at the nano meets.

[MGR]

Hi Arctic

Thanks alot. That's what I expected...I will return it. They told me they are all the same for all the models...they must be mistaking (but they should know best I guess...)

Would you send over a R53 or stainless steel compensator to Switzerland? You just can't buy them without the lever over here. How much would you take?

Thanks again...
have a nice evening,
Cheers Chris

[Arctic]

Originally Posted by MGR

Hi Arctic

Thanks alot. That's what I expected...I will return it. They told me they are all the same for all the models...they must be mistaking (but they should know best I guess...)

HI Chris
Drop me a PM and we will get you sorted out with either cheers Arctic

[T16]

Is it really that much easier taking the two front seats out?

I'd prefer that to damaging the underside of my carpet foam by forcing it with bits of wood....

I've previously done a compensator from underneath, not an experience I particularly enjoyed. The access hole is so small its like a Crystal Maze for midgets.

Im assuming that if you remove both your front seats, the carpet does not have to be cut anywhere and the whole lot just lifts?

[Mike Noc]

You don't have to cut the carpet if you leave the seats in place.

[Stickman]

I’ve done it twice without removing the seats or cutting the carpet
First time took ages but second time was a breeze
Regards
Chris

[Arctic]

Hi Ross
I doubt it would be any easier lifting the carpet at the rear where the compensator resides as you would still have the console in place, all it would mean that the job would take much longer, and you may have the added burden of sorting out the air bag connectors after being disturbed.

I doubt much damage would be cause by using wooden props to help keep the carpet up and out of the way for 30 minutes, much more damage is caused by water under the carpet that's for sure.

The carpet does not have to be cut, but I prefer just to make a slight
incision in the piece of carpet just under the rear of the console as this aids the removal of the front cable and the black clip from the compensator, this is not seen once the console is back in place after the operation