How to change brake pipelines 323i ?

[tormod]

I need to change most of the rigid brake pipelines on my 323i, and I decided to take both pipes and hoses while I'm at it.
I haven't done anything like this before, so I'm wondering if anyone knows of a good description/guide. I got the Haynes-manuals, but they wheren't very helpful.
Regards, Tormod

[nas80]

you need a load of copper pipe and a decent brake flaring tool.

if you can take the old ones off you can bend the new ones to shape off the car and it makes it slightly more easy.

[murran]

first off you need roll of brake pipe 3/16's pipe.
you need to decide whether your using cunifer (copper nickle alloy), or plain copper. cunifer is better and lasts longer. but copper is far easier to bend and work with.
unions are m10x1.0. you need a few of these as theres two on each pipe. so if your repiping a whole car youd need 14/16 on them.

pipe flaring tool wise you can buy a cheap one thats not very good.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10PC-DOUBLE-P ... 5d30ef0894
which are shit, slow and awquard to use.
or...... a vice mounted one that kicks arse!!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VICE-MOUNTED- ... 5644d2af1c
and while you might think thats alot for something your only guna use once..... you can quite easily re-list it on ebay and get damn near what you paid for it!
look.....
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brake-Fuel-Pi ... 2c603f7ed4
^^^^ read his description. he's used it once!

remove the pipes, measure them with a long piece of string, use the string to get the right length of new pipe, stick the unions on the pipe and flare the ends.
simples.

[murran]

of you need a brake pipe cutter too.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Worldwide-Too ... 3cb9bdba4c

[nas80]

I used a giant socket to bend the brake lines when I did my willwoods

[tormod]

Thanks alot for answers. I already bougth a complete set of finished brake-lines from Walloth und Nesch, so I hope the pipes themselves wont be a problem.
I was more thinking of how to get to them. Tips and trix. (my car is LHD)
I might use some wrong terms now, but I'll try; As far is I can remember, I'll have to remove most of the fuel distribution in enginebay to get to the main brake-cylinder. Is that just bolt of, and bolt on again?
Rear right side; fuel pump and stuff. Very rusty, but I'll guess there is no way around. Do I need to remove fuel-tanks also?
Front towards right side; pipe disappears up in the tunnel. (and in to engine-bay? I didn't investigate that)

Looking forward to read all your useful hints.

[murran]

unfamiliar with how it looks on a lhd tbh. any pics?

[tormod]

thanks for your interest, I'll get some pictures next time I see the car, during weekend probably. (it's in storage)

I can give a picture of the car while you wait. I've had it since 2004. It's a 1981, and this year it's 30years old and a "veteran-car" in Norway, and therfore very cheap to have on the road. So when the brakelines are okay and the "MOT-man" is happy, the reg-plates goes back on again!

[tormod]

hello again, still searching for helpful hints on my brakeline-job.
Firstly, the front-rigid-lines. Looks to me that I need to access the brake-cylinder from above. Can i just bolt the fuel-distribution system of, and back on again? Any pitfalls/extra caution needed?

[tormod]

and rear, looks I need to remove the fuel-pump etc. to access the connection between rigid-line and inner-brakehose. (not the one pointed out, but the next connection) Do I need to empty the fuel-tanks?





any tips and trix?