Fronts brakes only.

[MattAvino]

On my 87 325is, the brake line going to the back has a leak in it. I was wondering if it would be a bad idea to plug the master cylinder in the hole that goes to the rear and drive to my bosses shop with just front brakes so that i can repair the line.

[jlevie]

I see no problem with doing this if the trip to the shop will be short and at low speeds. I would do it when traffic will be at a minimum since you won't have any rear braking and the car will go unstable in a hard stop.

[TurboJake]

blocking it won't be a problem when you need to get it somewhere. Not recommended for continued use. But I've done it on winter beaters.

\/ I've tracked this car on front brakes only... Not fun, but when you pop a brake hose at the track that you paid 100 bucks to play on. You drive a wood screw into it, clamp it, and keep driftin!

[MattAvino]

ok, so i guess i will do it for the trip to the shop. How did it feel with only front brakes? Back end all over the place?

[TurboJake]

Nope. Just takes a bit more to slow down/more foot pressure

[AndrewBird]

It probably won't feel much different other then it won't stop as well.

I drove my Jetta for a few days with a bad master cylinder and only the front left and rear right brakes working. That got a bit scary a few times. lol

[2002maniac]

do a brakestand burnout while you're at it! :)

[MattAvino]

will do.

[MattAvino]

I hate to bring this up again, but ive yet to plug the master for the rears. Just never got to it. The car has ABS and I was wondering where I should plug it. Directly from the master cylinder? If so, which port do I plug? I had a hard time tracing the lines back and forth from the ABS in the dark.

[jlevie]

Plug the line that comes from the bias valve and goes to the rear of the car.

[MattAvino]

Ok, thanks, i checked realoem for a diagram but couldnt find what i *think* i was looking for. Is there a diagram so you can point out exactly what im looking for? thanks

[jlevie]

I don't know of a diagram, but if you get under the front of the car you will see the hardline that runs to the rear of the car near the hard fuel lines along the left frame rail. Follow that line up to where it connects to the splice block just above the frame rail (early car) or the bias valve (late car).

[MattAvino]

Thank you very much. I ended up plugging it at the ABS unit, which is very accessible.
Bled the fronts with some dot 3 fluid from 7-11, lol. (temporary)

[M-technik-3]

DOT 4 not 3 plan to drain your whole system.

[MattAvino]

^will i damage something with dot 3? I thought the only difference between 3 and 4 was boiling point. Will I damage the MC or calipers? lines and fittings?