rear intermediate brake line replacement - where are they? - 2002 540

[BostonJon]

As part of my brake system overhaul, i ordered new rotors, pads, shoes, hardware, caliper seals, rubber lines, etc.

i replace the longer rear lines (from the hard line into the caliper) but dont see the short intermediate lines anywhere and cant seem to find a write-up.

are these easy to access/replace?

[seagreen323i]

Should be right beside the abs module, passenger side of engine bay.

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[CPHES]

Notice he did not say it was easy. They are between the strut tower and the right side of the engine. Nobody enjoys this. Lots of penetrating oil. I suggest that if you can break it free at the bottom connector, take the short loop that goes to the abs unit out, and break the top part free off the car. Be careful, but you will likely need to bleed when done.

[MotorMouth93]

I will always wonder why BMW didn't just run the hard lines together here.

[cnn]

- I wrote a detailed DIY for the entire brake system, incl those 2 intermediate hoses in forum yrs ago.

- Sure, you can fabricate 2 metal lines and put them instead of the rubber hoses.
If I ever replace the 2 rubber hoses again, I will use metal lines.

[seagreen323i]

I rounded mine off pretty good. Just sent the new one on with some vice grips. They are super super easy to strip.

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[BostonJon]

thanks, I will search for it. i did search but perhaps using the wrong terms.

- - - Updated - - -

i need to bleed anyways since i rebuilt the calipers and replaced all the other lines. would prefer to only bleed once.

does seem strange to have such a short rubber line here.

- - - Updated - - -

i looked through your post history through 2012 and didnt find any such DIY. do you have a link?

[sienayr]

I've posted this several times in the past when the topic of brake line nuts comes up, not sure anyone's listening but these things have been indispensable for brake line nuts and other pesky situations, it's nearly impossible to round anything off with these.

https://www.irwin.com/tools/locking-...cking-wrenches

[CPHES]

They make a good product. Metric line wrenches have worked so far. I don’t know how you would get that down in the space where the mid lines are.

[cnn]

...i looked through your post history through 2012 and didnt find any such DIY. Do you have a link?

I wrote the detailed DIY brake hydraulic overhaul (all seals and hoses) in 2011:

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...ot)&styleid=51

[sienayr]

They make a good product. Metric line wrenches have worked so far. I don’t know how you would get that down in the space where the mid lines are.

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[BostonJon]

funny - i bought this exact thing years ago and dont think I've ever used it and never thought to use it for something like this. thanks!

[wayneawh]

If you are interested, there is my experience on getting those hoses off when they were rust welded...

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...uts&p=30787199