e46 rear brake pipes

[asmith88]

the e46 failed mot on rear brake pipes, i need it on the road urgently and this seems a fairly big job ,

anyone whos done this before do you think they will sand down, and paint up?

can it be done without dropping tank, driveshafts, exhaust, etc etc,

they are fairly similiar to this let me know what you think,

[bss325i]

The correct BMW way to repair the pipes is to replace the pipes complete all the way from the ASC/DSC hydro unit all the way back to the rear axle which involves dropping the fuel tank.

The BMW pipes are steel and come complete in the right length with the correct unions at each end and the pipe all ready flared, you just have to bend them neatly into shape using a suitable tool and the old pipe as a pattern.

The alternative way is is to cut the rotten part out and just replace a short section using wither copper, kunifer or steel pipe and some new unions.

The pipe in your picture, is that the only pipe it has failed on? That pipe in the pic is the off side pipe and that goes across the rear axle to a join just behind the near side rear spring.

This section of pipe can be bought from BMW and is easy enough to replace after the rear spring have been removed, no need to drop the fuel tank.

One thing that is a pet hate of mine is when a car comes into work and has had the pipes replaced by some back street garage with copper and its all untidy and just looks like green corroded spaghetti!

If you replace the pipes with the correct steel items, coat them in some cavity wax in aerosol form to protect them.

The photo is a bit blurry but that pipe looks way past its best.

[asmith88]

would they stock them at the dealer? expensive?

i would replace the offside then,

the nearside is the same and that will be the problem, if i was to cut the pipe before the tank and just replace that section would the steel pipe on the car flare ok?

[bss325i]

They will UK stock so next day delivery if they don't have them at your dealer.

The one that goes across the rear axle to the off side is about £15 iirc.

The steel pipe does flare but you have to go easy with it as it can split.

[Andyboy]

Judging by the horrendous state of the metal pipes, I'd replace the flexys as well. They're not dear.

[B7]

The correct BMW way to repair the pipes is to replace the pipes complete all the way from the ASC/DSC hydro unit all the way back to the rear axle which involves dropping the fuel tank.

The BMW pipes are steel and come complete in the right length with the correct unions at each end and the pipe all ready flared, you just have to bend them neatly into shape using a suitable tool and the old pipe as a pattern.

The alternative way is is to cut the rotten part out and just replace a short section using wither copper, kunifer or steel pipe and some new unions.

The pipe in your picture, is that the only pipe it has failed on? That pipe in the pic is the off side pipe and that goes across the rear axle to a join just behind the near side rear spring.

This section of pipe can be bought from BMW and is easy enough to replace after the rear spring have been removed, no need to drop the fuel tank.

One thing that is a pet hate of mine is when a car comes into work and has had the pipes replaced by some back street garage with copper and its all untidy and just looks like green corroded spaghetti!

If you replace the pipes with the correct steel items, coat them in some cavity wax in aerosol form to protect them.

The photo is a bit blurry but that pipe looks way past its best.

Barry. Nigel had an MOT advisory the other day on that 330 touring I was telling you about. Shat himself when I said we had to drop the tank!

Fancy a private.............

[Tay]

on the 46 it is doable without dropping the tank, fiddley but doable, however if you want a nice job you want to at least drop the tank onto the prop,

i'd try and give those a clean up first and see how they come out, but if they are knackered cut and join them but before the tank as they corrode badly beside the tank too...............

[bss325i]

Bring it on!:D Bell me tomorrow mate.

[zaust]

on the 46 it is doable without dropping the tank, fiddley but doable, however if you want a nice job you want to at least drop the tank onto the prop,

i'd try and give those a clean up first and see how they come out, but if they are knackered cut and join them but before the tank as they corrode badly beside the tank too...............

I had to drop the tank on my touring to do the pipes. I thought id get away with doing just the rear half but the whole lot needed to be done once you start proding.

[Tay]

granted you need a decent proding stick to get to the pipes in the hard to get to areas!!!

[pacerpete]

How do the brake pipes of a car belonging to an 'enthusiast' get that rusty ?
Preventative maintenance and knowing your car is the key to minimising hassle and cost.
Waiting for things to break or fail = much more aggro and money in the long run.

[DanThe]

How do the brake pipes of a car belonging to an 'enthusiast' get that rusty ?

There are many forms of 'enthusiast' innit, some even call themselves specialists

[zaust]

How do the brake pipes of a car belonging to an 'enthusiast' get that rusty ?

There are many forms of 'enthusiast' innit, some even call themselves specialists

Normally occurs when you buy the car from someone who wasn't, orit did in my case.