brand new brake line bubble what gives

[Firstbmw528]

Thanks I haven’t dissected a brake line to the caliper only an in between by the abs.

And glad to hear my fears have no basis I figured my bleeding method was fine and since you didn’t mention the brake fluid I’ll assume that’s a non issue as well.

I know it’s not a pressure issue because none of my calipers lock and when I depress the brakes the bubbles don’t bulge.

Unfortunately I have to order any parts so this will be waiting and a rental will be obtained until I can get this resolved.

I think I’m going to get the $78 stainless lines from FCP I’ve have great experiences there thus far

[Firstbmw528]

Ordered the stainless kit from fcp hopefully will be here the 24th fingers crossed

[computiNATEor]

I installed ECS's stainless lines, and had no problems in the 40k miles I drove on them.

[JaxPlanet]

+1 on ATE.
Jax, what was the problem on the TechnaFit kit? I have the same kit, not yet installed. Part #1225

Here's a video of the problem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4K76IOVdys
The problem persisted when I flipped the line and with replacements from FCP and Techna-Fit. Thankfully, TF also sent a line that had free spinning nuts on the ends instead of being attached to the sheathing, which solved the problem.

Chris said that the "loose nut" design was not as particular about the finishing of the metal pipe flanges. My best guess is the installation of the original line deformed the flanges. Please let me know if you encounter the same problem.

FirstBMW: I reinstalled the original line while waiting for replacements so there was no down time.

[Firstbmw528]

Perfect thank you my parts should arrive ahead of schedule on Tuesday so hopefully I will be squaring that away Tuesday

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

Here's a video of the problem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4K76IOVdys
The problem persisted when I flipped the line and with replacements from FCP and Techna-Fit. Thankfully, TF also sent a line that had free spinning nuts on the ends instead of being attached to the sheathing, which solved the problem.

Chris said that the "loose nut" design was not as particular about the finishing of the metal pipe flanges. My best guess is the installation of the original line deformed the flanges. Please let me know if you encounter the same problem.

So, was the coupler too long or something, and not allowing the lines to seal up?

[Mach540]

Maybe you should get the brake fluid that doesn't contain alien blood.

[Firstbmw528]

That sounds about right though I heard alien blood brake fluid adds +50 horsepower

[JaxPlanet]

So, was the coupler too long or something, and not allowing the lines to seal up?

Yes. The upper and lower were, equally, a few mm longer than OE. However, even with the length increase, the original upper and "loose nut" lower worked

Hopefully, you and FirstBMW will report no problems and we can chalk this up to a unique problem

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

Yes. The upper and lower were, equally, a few mm longer than OE. However, even with the length increase, the original upper and "loose nut" lower worked

Hopefully, you and FirstBMW will report no problems and we can chalk this up to a unique problem

How long ago was this? I got my set about 4 or 5 months ago, procrastination has kept them in a box on a shelf.

[JaxPlanet]

How long ago was this? I got my set about 4 or 5 months ago, procrastination has kept them in a box on a shelf.

I bought them Nov 2016 and installed June 2017. My delay was waiting for my next brake fluid change so I could take care of both jobs at once.

For anyone who hasn't replaced the ABS lines, I needed a crowfoot socket on an extension for the low end of the lines. Check the lines received determine the socket sizes you need because there may have been changes in production since I purchased mine.

[computiNATEor]

I bought them Nov 2016 and installed June 2017. My delay was waiting for my next brake fluid change so I could take care of both jobs at once.

For anyone who hasn't replaced the ABS lines, I needed a crowfoot socket on an extension for the low end of the lines. Check the lines received determine the socket sizes you need because there may have been changes in production since I purchased mine.

Yeah, access is poor. I ended up removing the hard lines entirely by disconnecting them just aft of the windshield washer reservoir in the right front wheel well. Undo the top connections from the ABS module hardlines, pull out the complete fender liner, remove/move the windshield washer fluid reservoir, and snake the lines out. It's actually not too terrible, but a lot of steps to get there.

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

I bought them Nov 2016 and installed June 2017. My delay was waiting for my next brake fluid change so I could take care of both jobs at once.

For anyone who hasn't replaced the ABS lines, I needed a crowfoot socket on an extension for the low end of the lines. Check the lines received determine the socket sizes you need because there may have been changes in production since I purchased mine.

I just checked my records with FCP, I purchased my set in July 2017, I would like to think that they got a grip on this issue by the time I bought my set. Time will tell, I will let you guys know how my set mounts up when I do it.

[Firstbmw528]

Due to a shipping delay I will probably be able to report back results Wednesday or Thursday. Can’t wait to get this resolved

[JaxPlanet]

Yeah, access is poor. I ended up removing the hard lines entirely by disconnecting them just aft of the windshield washer reservoir in the right front wheel well. Undo the top connections from the ABS module hardlines, pull out the complete fender liner, remove/move the windshield washer fluid reservoir, and snake the lines out. It's actually not too terrible, but a lot of steps to get there.

FWIW: I did not have to do any of that.

[philly98540]

Yeah, those lines by the ABS kind of suck, but they can be done with some cleaver wrench selections. I just took off the climate filter iirc to gain some better angles. I can see why some may prefer to take some more stuff off to gain access though.

[computiNATEor]

FWIW: I did not have to do any of that.

Knowing what I do now, I would have used crows foot wrenches on an extension to more easily do it. However, I was also 100% positive that the lines were connected securely.

[Firstbmw528]

So of course because of my ignorance the first time around the shop that did the first alignment also did my brake lines the first time because I was lazy and because I have a bad habit of breaking hard lines.

Well that came back and bit me when I got my stainless lines because apparently this shop is completely useless because they somehow tightened the 11mm line nuts so tight that on the fronts they bent the u brackets in the center and started to seat into them and in the rear it actually started to seat into the mounting washer.

What this meant for me was even with a flare wrench I was unable to access the whole nut which resulted in pretty much immediately rounding off every one.

An hour of cussing, yelling, and thinking about trading in the car later I came up with the Hail Mary idea to cut the metal u brackets off the front to give myself more space then pull the hard line up through the body mount vice grip it very tight and break it loose from the rubber line end.

Surprisingly I got lucky all 4 times and now all my stainless lines are in I have to bleed and pressure test today to make sure I didn’t crush or bend anything or create any leaks.

So all 4 of my hard lines are completely mangled and will probably be hell to get apart later I’m just hoping I never need to again.