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This install takes 15 - 30 minutes. This is an easy install but requires a little elbow grease.
Click on the images for larger views. |
Step 1: Getting the required items together
This install requires:
- UUC E-Brake handle
- Zip Tie (included with the UUC E-Brake handle)
- Wire Cutters
- 2.5mm Allen Wrench
- A BMW M3 (E46).
- 15 - 30 minutes of free time.
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UUC E-Brake and Rob Knob III |
Step 2: Release the stock e-brake leather boot
- Put the e-brake in the engaged position (pull it up).
- Grab the back of the boot and pull it upwards (see image).
- Make sure the boot is loose at the top and bottom.
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Pulling up the boot |
Step 3: Remove the e-brake boot
- Pull the boot toward the dashboard, reversing it in the process.
- Once the boot is completely reversed, you will be able to see a zip tie which secures it to the e-brake handle.
- Using your wire cutters, snip the zip tie (make sure not to cut the leather) (see image).
- Once the zip tie is cut, pull the boot completely off the e-brake.
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Boot pulled inside out
Zip Tie that needs to be cut |
Step 4: Remove the stock e-brake handle
- There are two ways to do this:
- The easy way - use a sharp blade (like a utility knife) to cut the stock handle off.
- The hard way - rotate the stock handle side to side while pulling it forward. This is a royal pain in the ass and takes some elbow grease and a bit of swearing but it does leave the stock handle intact.
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Removed stock e-brake handle |
Step 5: Installing the new e-brake handle
- Make sure the bolt in the bottom of the new e-brake handle is not protruding past the nylon bushing inside the handle - if it does, use a 2.5mm allen wrench to back it off a bit.
- Slide the new e-brake handle on to the e-brake.
- Line it up both side to side and fore and aft (make sure you slide the handle on far enough to engage the e-brake button). This does not have to be exact at this time - you will be able to fine tune later.
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Install the new handle |
Step 6: Re-Installing the boot
- Keep the boot inside out.
- Slide the boot back on with the taller part fo the boot frame toward the top.
- Stop once the front edge gets to the end of the nylon bushing at the end of the e-brake handle.
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Boot in correct location |
Step 7: Zip Tie the boot in place
- Make sure the boot is fairly well aligned (top to bottom).
- Line up the edge of the boot with the end of the nylon bushing at the end of the ebrake handle.
- Place a zip tie around the end of the boot so that when you snug it up it will push the shift boot into the recess in the e-brake bushing.
- Try to leave the clamp part of the zip tie at the bottom of the assembly and tighten the zip tie gently.
- Make sure the zip tie and boot are where they should be and tighten the zip tie as tightly as you can by hand.
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Zip Tie on |
Step 8: Finishing up
- Use your wire cutters to snip off the excess part of the zip tie as close as you can to the zip tie clamp.
- Pull the boot back - turning it right side out in the process.
- Snap the lower part of the boot frame in first.
- Snap the top part of the boot frame in.
- Make sure that the stitching is straight on the boot from the e-brake to the back and that the e-brake handle itself is aligned as you want it and that the button protrudes enough to allow for easy disengagement of the e-brake.
- Use your 2.5mm allen wrench to tighten the e-brake handle down.
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Finished - Pretty! |
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