E46 brake line diy

[Gooose]

Hi guys does anyone have a link to any diy pictures of a rear brake line replacement, or any advice if you have done it yourself?

I’ve just failed an mot so I’ll give this a go over the next week or so. I’ve read about feeding the lines around the fuel tank but I can’t find any pics of this. Or about fixing new clips on.

[helix402]

Just lower the fuel tank not fully removed. Remove rear seat and access panels for fuel senders. Feed pipes over tank. No new clips needed, use copper pipe.

[Gooose]

Didn’t even know there are access panels under the rear seat lol, is the seat difficult remove?

[helix402]

Rear seat base just pulls up.

[Gooose]

Has any one got a brake line layout, would by good to know where the clips and the run of the pipes go

[steveo3002]

use kunifer not copper

[Gooose]

steveo3002 said:

use kunifer not copper

What’s the difference mate, will it last longer or is it better?

[E30M3SE]

Kunifer or Cunifer is a copper nickel alloy.

[steveo3002]

copper work hardens and is banned in several countrys , kunifer does a better job for much the same price

[guards red]

Morning,

If you're cutting the existing piping and splicing onto it be aware that the existing piping is very thick (and not soft) and will need a "proper" flaring tool - not a cheapo eBay special.

Most are not hand held which is what you'll want. Look for the sort with a hydraulic ram. Lazer do one I believe.

Only use Kunifer as has been suggested.

Good luck, flaring the original pipe is a pain in the butt.

[Gooose]

I was planning on removing the whole lot rather than joining them, but it’s hard to find a schematic or a layout to know if it will be a bit to awkward for me to do!

I’ve read that copper nickel stuff is quite hard so I’m not sure if it would be easier in copper, so I can bend it in situ?

[steveo3002]

kunifer is no harder to use than copper ...no reason at all to ever use anything else

no doubt someone will be along to boast how their copper is still fine after patching up a cortina in the 70s

[helix402]

The longest existing line you’ll be replacing runs from the engine bay. down the bulkhead. Along the floor, over the fuel tank, then comes out the other side. The fuel tank can be unbolted, left connected and rested on the prop.

[guards red]

Gooose said:

I was planning on removing the whole lot rather than joining them, but it’s hard to find a schematic or a layout to know if it will be a bit to awkward for me to do!

I’ve read that copper nickel stuff is quite hard so I’m not sure if it would be easier in copper, so I can bend it in situ?

Look on Real Oem it'll show you the brake pipes and where if any the joints are. Chances are they're aren't any from the ABS unit to the flexi pipes. If that is the case you may want to revise the replacing the whole pipe, its a tough job. A good splice is safe and, if done right, neat.

[Gooose]

Top advice everyone!