Re-routing rear brake pipes

[TheDutch]

Since replacing the rear brake pipes is such an irritating task, is it possible to fit new pipes / junctions along a slightly different route to facilitate installation? Could you avoid going over / around fuel tank / subframe etc., and just put the T-piece in a more easily accessible location too?

Any knuckle-saving ideas welcome,

TheDutch

[E30BeemerLad]

it is possible to do the pipes that go over the tank with it in situ. they only just slightly sweep above it. Using copper pipe makes it a lot easier to bend etc

[daimlerman]

Looked at this a couple of times,now,and the short answer is no.
Easy way to do rear brake pipes is at the same time as rear axle carrier bushes;take the whole lot out,clean and paint the axle carrier,new brake pipes,new rubber bushes.
Sainless steel flex's are a good idea whilst it's all in bits,as well.

[_bmw_316_lad_]

im currently at this job my self and its due the retest tomorrow and only managed to get them off now:mad: would it be possiable to take them a diff route or could that be a mot/nct fail??

[TheDutch]

Why can the pipes not be routed along the front or back of the rear subframe to the flexis in the middle?

If not re-routed, can this job be done without dropping the subframe otherwise?

[dazleeds]

i have re routed and passed an mot

basicly the can go anywhere as l;ong as theyre properly secured and clipped up to the body etc with flexi where needed of course

used new clips, new t piece and new pipes

[TheDutch]

i have re routed and passed an mot

Are you able to describe where you put yours? Was it straightforward?

[daimlerman]

Why can the pipes not be routed along the front or back of the rear subframe to the flexis in the middle?

If not re-routed, can this job be done without dropping the subframe otherwise?

Yes it can be,just easier with the subframe out of the way!
I have also noticed a slight difference in position of the mounting bracket for the flexi's between cars...on some you can get a spanner between the tank and the subrame and onto both sides of the brake pipe,on others you can only get at the hard line side.
This makes it difficult to get at the flexi connector,easy way to remove is to chop the flexi as close to it's ferrule as possible,then use a deep 14mm socket,going back you will need a crow's foot type spanner/socket to hold it whilst using a spanner on the hard line.
Perhaps the most frustrating job on an E30!

[_bmw_316_lad_]

just after trting to fit them back on. realy realy annoying job from the t connection could you just use flexis if you wanted to be lazy?

[harry_p]

i didnt find it as bad as i thought it was going to be when i did mine.

i knew the hard to get to unions were going to be a pain so i snipped the hard line, snapped the spring clips with long nose pliars and pulled the siezed unions through the hole in the bracket. the only unions i had to undo on the car were the two on the callipers and the one where the hard pipe joins at the front. then i took the T piece off and to a vice to remove the unions from it, replaced all the pipes and flexis so hopefully they wont need touching for another 20 years.

didnt drop the tank or the subframe.

if you do reroute, don't reroute a hard pipe allong the subframe, the subframe is designed to move about a bit under the car, so unless you use a flexi between it and the body the pipe will quickly fatigue and fracture.

[e30topless]

the 'hard to get to ' brake lines on the back aren't all that bad to do,

if you have to replace them then chances are it's the first time they have been changed since leaving the factory ? just do it again in another 20 years !

[_bmw_316_lad_]

haha spent the day at them and job done. pity iv sold it once it pass's nct. but least new owner wont have to do it