Brake Lines

[Pal318is]

Where is the best place to get brake lines from guys and how difficult ate they to do?
My ones are rusted to fook and I wanted to replace them, along with the master cylinder.

Thanks

[maxfield]

BMW.

Or make your own out of kunifer.

[Pal318is]

I did some research and see that you can use cunifer. Which is prefer to use, as they last longer.
Is it an arse of a job to do?

Thanks

[maxfield]

Thing is with kunifer, you will need a tool to flare the ends or take it to the local motor factors for them to flare.

Also to get them to look right takes time and patience.

[capri_rob]

If you order them from BMW they come with the right fittings, the correct length in plastic coated steel - not cheap though and you still have to bend them to fit.

[Brianmoooore]

and you still have to bend them to fit.

A few of the bends are very tight and difficult to form. If you make your own, you can make the these bends a little less tight, and makes the lines slightly longer to allow this.
Some pipes are easy to change, some are impossible (if the fuel tank is still in). Get all new flexible lines and the U shaped spring clips that hold the ends of the pipes onto the fixing brackets, and remove the whole of the old stuff wholesale with bolt cutters or similar.

[ImysE30]

I bought mine from BMW, fittings already there so just need bending into shape .

I used the old ones as a guide.

[gaszman]

ive got one in my shed i got for my touring never fitted the long one from front to back gonna put it on my sport when it needs it

[Pal318is]

Will try and take some pics.
I'm going to go with the cunifer lines I think, as they seem to be easier manipulate, when fitting.
What a ball ache!

[fredbloke]

making breaklines is relatively simple. the tools are cheap on ebay and so is the kunifer line. i did some on a mk2 golf a year ago. just practice making the ends a few times on some scrap and your away.

[Brianmoooore]

This type of tool: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Powerhand-bra ... 2a28352463

NOT this type: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-SILVERLINE ... 48425d0016

[maxfield]

This type of tool: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Powerhand-bra ... 2a28352463

NOT this type: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-SILVERLINE ... 48425d0016

+1

I once tried the bottom tool once... It went flying across the workshop. Then in the bin.

[Pal318is]

Can't thank you guys enough for all your help, much appreciated

[Grrrmachine]

What's wrong with the second tool Brian? I redid all the lines on two cars with one of those, and only buggered up one flare...

[kam-325i]

I use the second one also, I will admit that they can be awkward to use at first.......but I also use it on other things than brake lines.....

[Pal318is]

I didn't even check the second tool out lol. Will have a look now..

[Brianmoooore]

Top tool makes professional quality single or double flares first time, every time, indistinguishable from the factory ones, and can be used in situ, in small places. Bottom tool makes passable flares sometimes.
The tool I have, while not the same model as the top one, has working parts which appear to be identical to my forty year old one, which still makes perfect flares every time, and its made a lot of flares.

[bigbird76]

I agree with Brian the second tool is a load of shit. Possibly the new ones are cheap Chinese but that design on a older tool might be ok, Most of the flares going wrong is because they are not pressed straight or too much pipe sticking through you have to get the length of pipe correct to flare correctly. Practice makes perfect..


I used this type on the m3.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SEALEY-AK5063 ... 20ce7676de

Had no trouble at all with this.

[shedrool83]

I use the same one bigbird not had any problems with it either .

[scallyally]

Don't forget it's a "bubble" flare NOT a double flare.

Check out RTSauto.com for full info

[Pal318is]

Had to bite the bullet and get the job done by my mate in the end. Needed the car for work and I was away out of the country over the weekend.
Just wanted to say, many thanks for all the information, as every bit helps.

Thanks

[e30_mtec]

BMW do not make most of the lines any more. I found out yesterday

[harry_p]

I've got a tool the same as the one bigbird posted, although branded Laser, it looks identical and works very well. With every penny over the cheap ones further up the page.

[stew72]

I use copper which is very easy to manipulate and a cheap flaring tool, never had any problems. And yes, I'm aware that copper can harden over time and potentially crack, thats why I always go to great lengths to ensure the pipes are very well supported and protected against vibration.