Front - Rear Brake Pipe

[StuBeeDoo]

I'm sure I've read more than once that part of the reason that the front - rear brake pipe is a PITA to replace is that it goes over the petrol tank.
I've just started stripping the exhaust off mine in preperation for doing the brake pipe tomorrow and the offending article goes round the left-hand side of the tank, above the fuel filter.
It looks original.......

[bodieanddoyle]

worst part is getting to the tee piece above the back edge of the tank. it can be done with the tank in, but you'll need copious ammounts of luck and plus-gas. usually easiest to get a new tee (they're about £6 from bmw) and replace the front-rear and the rear from the tee to flexi pipes at the same time. saves turning the flare nuts 1/32 of a spanner flat to get the pipes out from the tee.

[daimlerman]

Not the front -rear brake pipe that's the difficult one,it's the two from the three way union to the rear brakes,these curl under the edge of the tank on their approach to the flexi's.Front-rear will usually fail at the point where it bends under the front wheel arch for it's long trip to the rear of the car,a bit of kunifer can be spliced into sound steel pipe.The rear pipes are one of those jobs that are reasonably easy if you can get the car onto a lift and stand under it,you can then see the swines.... but laid on your back with the car on DiY ramps or axle stands they are difficult to see.Best advice I got was from Chris-W,he suggests sacrificing the flexi's by cutting close to the ferule,then you can get a deep 14mm socket on and just hold the 11mm pipe nut.Going back with all new bits is much easier,of course,there is just enough room between the fuel tank and the rear beam to get a spanner in.A new three way is an essential buy,any motor factors will have one,soak the mounting bolt with WD40... replace this bolt with a stainless steel one on the way back,then next time it will be a bit easier!

[StuBeeDoo]

Well, I've ground to a halt for today.

Best advice I got was from Chris-W,he suggests sacrificing the flexi's by cutting close to the ferule,then you can get a deep 14mm socket on and just hold the 11mm pipe nut.

I'd decided that this was the route I would have to take. Scarey that I come on line and then find the advice to do so.

A new three way is an essential buy

One of those is on the shopping list as well.

soak the mounting bolt with WD40... replace this bolt with a stainless steel one on the way back,then next time it will be a bit easier!

This bolt actually came out quite easily. I'll liberally coat it with anti-sieze when it goes back on. I can't be ar**d to trek to the nut and bolt place for one stupid bolt. Chances are that as I'm using kunifer I'll never have to do the brake pipes again - the car will have rotted before the brake pipes.

[daimlerman]

I now keep a selection of stainless nuts/bolts in stock,and use them to replace any bolt or nut that comes off the cars.Just good workshop practice IMO.

[StuBeeDoo]

Chances are that as I'm using kunifer I'll never have to do the brake pipes again

Well, I'm glad I'll never have to do the rear pipes again. A day and a half and I'm still not finished.
What a cow getting the pipes from the inner flexi's to the T-piece off!! Not only have I sacrificed the flexi's but I had to butcher the spring clips too. Took me 3 hours just to do that bit!

Going back together now, though I'll probably have to wait until Friday for the new clips.
I suppose I should be a little bit grateful - it gives me time to get the calipers painted.

.... And at least I still have my Fiesta to run around in.

[johnl320]

Chances are that as I'm using kunifer I'll never have to do the brake pipes again

.... And at least I still have my Fiesta to run around in.

And thats a plus point Stu?? Seriously though, not a nice job I had my fuel tank out to do all this so it was easy. I salute you

[daimlerman]

Took me 9 months from the MoT man expressing dis-satisfaction(advisory) on my rear pipes,I kept looking at them,shaking my head and saying that they were beyond my skills... I finaly bit the bullet and did them whilst we were testing the 'folly' and the 2.7 was not insured so was sat idle for as long as nessesary.Took me a fortnight,but this was more laziness than anything else,an afternoon's 'work' was lifting the car into the air,next one was slicing the flexi's.. I was proper enthusiastic about the job!

[StuBeeDoo]

Took me a fortnight,but this was more laziness than anything else,an afternoon's 'work' was lifting the car into the air,next one was slicing the flexi's.. I was proper enthusiastic about the job!

Flippin' 'eck! I thought I was bad at getting stuff done.
I've had mine scheduled for this weekend ever since the last MOT at the end of July. I just knew that it would take me ages to psych myself up to do it. "Dreading it" is nowhere near strong enough language.

[StuBeeDoo]

.... And at least I still have my Fiesta to run around in.

And thats a plus point Stu??

Only in as much as I still have a car to drive to work while the Touring is off the road. Ergo I won't have to cycle/walk/bus everywhere.

[StuBeeDoo]

.... And at least I still have my Fiesta to run around in.

And thats a plus point Stu??

The minus point is..... I checked the fuel consumption on the Fiesta. 38.88mpg round the doors. Probably not too shabby for the type/age of vehicle.
Still not as cheap as my Touring though.

[johnl320]

.... And at least I still have my Fiesta to run around in.

And thats a plus point Stu??

The minus point is..... I checked the fuel consumption on the Fiesta. 38.88mpg round the doors. Probably not too shabby for the type/age of vehicle.
Still not as cheap as my Touring though.

I'm lpg with you now mate

[StuBeeDoo]

I'm lpg with you now mate

Good man! This on the M30??

ps - I hear Ipswich Town now have a new manager (if you can call him that!).

[ed325i]

What size pipe do you use ? 6mm ?

[nickso]

3/16" or approx 4mm i think brake pipe is.