brake pipes

C

chrisj900

Senior member
 whitley bay/ newcastle
so i took my car to a close mate of mine the otherday to have a look over my car before my MOT in a few months. he used to work in a garage so he knows what hes talking about when it come to this kind of stuff. so after he had a look he told me everything was fine apart from my rear brake pipes that were corroded and would need replaced :o (there the copper pipes running the lengh of the car, not the bendy ones that attach to the calipers for those who dont know) he also said its quite a big job because the fuel tank needs to be dropped which in my mind means big money but he couldnt give me a price .

has anyone had there pipes give up on them?? and if so how much it costs.. BMW or indie. thinking im going to be one poor little boy in 2012 :cry:
 
Not to put your mate down but the brake lines are steel, not copper. Have they rusted? Why not get a BMW Indy to look at your car and give you a once over with estimates for any needed repairs?
 
Stromtech said:
Not to put your mate down but the brake lines are steel, not copper.
Click to expand...


^^^^He's right :roll:

I'd also get a second opinion. Can't remember the last time I saw corroded brake pipes :cry:
 
How bad are they, can you not rub them down and apply grease to them. That what most people do if it's only surface corrosion
 
Whilst technically correct in their assessment that the pipes are corroded, what normally happens is you get surface corrosion on the pipes - just like you do on brake discs which is removed after using them for a couple of miles.

All you need to do is use a wire brush to lightly scrub the affected areas and then check them for heavier corrosion. After this it is probably best to coat them in WD40, waxoyl or such to protect them from the elements a little.
 
i thought brake pipes were some sort of copper alloy. :o well this shows i have no idea!! il give them a rub and see what happens and hope for the .
 
They do indeed corrode and need replacement if the surface corrosion is anything that the tester deems could affect the integrity.

2. A brake pipe which is
a- Excessively chafed, corroded or damaged


It's a fairly common problem on cars and typically at the rear and along the axle where more water is thrown and less engine heat to dry things off and less grime and oil to protect them. My X5 had exactly the same problem and had to have new sections fitted to pass its MOT. Now sold on :)

As for removing the fuel tank I suggest the old parts of the pipe are cut out and new sections simply joined in. Quick cheap and safer that risking problems

Would I protect pipes that are already reported to be corroded - no - it's bolting the door after the horse has gone. Replace them then protect the new ones.
 
cj10jeeper said:
Replace them then protect the new ones.
Click to expand...

Mine (on both cars) are Waxolyed in their exposed (and therefore weak) areas. I always do this with any car I own - maybe explains why I've not seen a rotted brake pipe :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom