Stainless Steel brake lines too short

[ryanuk888]

Hi,

I recently purchsed some stainless brake lines for my car online from Turner Motorsport. When i took them to a mechanic he told me they are too short and cant be swapped after trying to install them. ??? thats strange. I specifically ordered e30 brake lines that would fit my 325i. Is he missing something?

please help.

[rmdashrf]

There are three sets of lines that are typically replaced. I hope he is replacing them appropriately.

I dunno, did you look at them and compare the originals to what you got?

[ryanuk888]

There are three sets of lines that are typically replaced. I hope he is replacing them appropriately.

I dunno, did you look at them and compare the originals to what you got?

I think the guy has no idea what he is doing or supposed to replace. I will go compare the lines after work. Thanks!

[Madhatter]

Front are easy, just a pair, 1 line each side). But the rear is made up of 2 sets of brake lines for each side. One runs from the hard line on the chassis near the subframe, then the other runs further down near the axle to the caliper. There is a hardline between them, so make sure he isn't using one of the rear lines for the front (or the opposite)

[MR 325]

E30 brake lines have 2 long and 4 short. The 2 long ones go to the front calipers.

[rmdashrf]

I think the guy has no idea what he is doing or supposed to replace. I will go compare the lines after work. Thanks!

Yeah, he must not, because it's super easy. The lines near the subframe are female on both ends. And the lines to calipers have been described by others above. You really can't mix them up.

[*freshm3]

Do you need to drop the rear subframe in order to replace the rear pair? This is in reference to the rear lines near the subframe (females).

Thanks

[jlevie]

Do you need to drop the rear subframe in order to replace the rear pair? This is in reference to the rear lines near the subframe (females).

Depends. There is almost no room to work on those lines and if there is much corrosion it may be impossible to change them w/o dropping the subframe. But then if not already done a car of the age of an E30 needs new subframe bushings which means dropping the subframe.