Cheapskate method of making a clutch line...

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  • ChaseN
    Mod Crazy
    • Aug 2008
    • 709

    #1

    Cheapskate method of making a clutch line...

    Hey guys

    I'm in the middle of a 5-speed swap on my iX, and, well, I just realized tonight that the ONLY part I haven't bought yet is the line between the master and slave cylinders. So, I cruise on over to RealOEM, plug the part number into Tischer's website, and HOLY SH!T they want $60 for a freaking HOSE, that will take an unknown amount of time to get (thats my only gripe about getbmwparts.com really, that you can't tell whats in stock and what isn't).

    So, I got to thinking...its really only a brake line, the hard part of which I could bend myself using pre-flared brakeline from autozone (I already have the hardline coming from the master out the firewall) with a flex portion to compensate for the different movements between the transmission & body. So I think, where can I find cheap flex line? I log onto Jeg's and find 10" SS braided flex hose, and its only $9.99, and ships tomorrow from Ohio (which is obviously very close to where I live). Only problem is its female to female -03AN. SO, a quick click on adapters finds me -03AN to M10x1.0 adapters for $9.99/pair. SUCCESS!

    Basically, I just wanted to run this by the members here and see if it won't work for some reason. I don't see why it wouldn't. To sum it up, it would be (in order from master cylinder to slave cylinder):

    stock hardline through firewall
    adapter to -03AN
    10" -03AN flex hose
    adapter back to M10x1.0
    Autozone pre-flared M10x1.0 hardline to slave cylinder

    All for less than $20, and I know it will be here by Wednesday. Beats ~$60 and unknown arrival time.

    What say you all? I know its a lot of adapters and what not, but with mostly new hardware I'm not really worried about leaks.

    Chase
    1991 318iS
    1992 911
    2006 330i 6-Spd ZSP people hauler

    Gone:
    1989 M3 S50B32, 6-Spd
    1990 325ix 5-Spd

  • Conrad311
    Grease Monkey
    • Oct 2009
    • 368

    #2
    did something similar on mine last month and so far so good (knock on wood)
    bleeding it out sucked ass though.. it took forever with out a vac. bleeder or a press bleeder.

    good luck with it
    "In God we trust. All others must bring data." -W. E. Deming

    /// 1987 325is /// Project Thread
    Past: 87 is, 88ix, 88 i, 87 ic, 89 ix, 17 others.

    Comment

    • ChaseN
      Mod Crazy
      • Aug 2008
      • 709

      #3
      Originally posted by Conrad311
      did something similar on mine last month and so far so good (knock on wood)
      bleeding it out sucked ass though.. it took forever with out a vac. bleeder or a press bleeder.

      good luck with it
      Luckily, I have a Motive pressure bleeder. Plus, from my experience on my S50B32 swap, even the BMW OEM components take FOREVERRRR to bleed.

      Good to hear I'm not the only one doing this.
      1991 318iS
      1992 911
      2006 330i 6-Spd ZSP people hauler

      Gone:
      1989 M3 S50B32, 6-Spd
      1990 325ix 5-Spd

      Comment

      • MR 325
        Moderator
        • Oct 2003
        • 37825

        #4
        Seems like it should work fine. I'd go OEM but that's just me.
        BimmerHeads
        Classic BMW Specialists
        Santa Clarita, CA

        www.BimmerHeads.com

        Comment

        • jlevie
          R3V OG
          • Nov 2006
          • 13530

          #5
          Get a used line from a salvage yard.
          The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
          Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

          Comment

          • FredK
            R3V OG
            • Oct 2003
            • 14742

            #6
            A new one at AutohausAZ is $28, though it'll take a while to get it. You can call Bav Auto in New Hampshire and have them price match it.

            Besides, Jegs has a handling fee according to your order size.

            Comment

            • ChaseN
              Mod Crazy
              • Aug 2008
              • 709

              #7
              Originally posted by FredK
              A new one at AutohausAZ is $28, though it'll take a while to get it.
              Wow, thanks. Ended up just ordering one of these.
              1991 318iS
              1992 911
              2006 330i 6-Spd ZSP people hauler

              Gone:
              1989 M3 S50B32, 6-Spd
              1990 325ix 5-Spd

              Comment

              • Mossman
                E30 Mastermind
                • Apr 2006
                • 1961

                #8
                Yeah only problem with this plan is the stock line has a hardline section on the end with a bend to get it out of the way so you can access the 13mm nuts that hold slave to tranny with a socket and extension. But yeah new is cheap and I don't think stainless will offer any change in clutch feel like it may with breaks, and 4 more places to leak is bad news.

                You made zee right choice chase!

                Comment

                • DJB
                  Advanced Member
                  • Oct 2005
                  • 195

                  #9
                  The clutch line is under less peak pressure than brake lines, but otherwise it's constructed exactly the same. You can just assemble two off-the-shelf M10 hard lines with a M10 F-to-F hose -- either a generic length or the ones used for the rear subframe. (The front and rear wheel hoses are M-to-F.)

                  Comment

                  • SpecM
                    R3V Elite
                    • Oct 2005
                    • 4531

                    #10
                    Originally posted by DJB
                    The clutch line is under less peak pressure than brake lines, but otherwise it's constructed exactly the same. You can just assemble two off-the-shelf M10 hard lines with a M10 F-to-F hose -- either a generic length or the ones used for the rear subframe. (The front and rear wheel hoses are M-to-F.)
                    thats exactly what I'm doing

                    got an inner rear brake hose, and a 8in section of hard line

                    costs less than $10
                    1989 cirrisblau-metallic 325i

                    Comment

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