Rear Brake Pipes Renewed

colb

Zorg Guru (V)
British Zeds
Joined
Nov 25, 2012
Points
178
Location
Newport, South Wales,UK
Model of Z
Z3 M43 1.8 (1999) and Z4 E85 2.5 (2003)
After the last MOT in September identified corroded brake pipes on the rear nearside I ordered a set of HEL stainless flexi pipes for front and rears with the intention of sorted them out when the spring weather arrived. Finally got around to giving them attention using my scissor lift, in order to get enough clearance to remove the centre plastic cover to get at the fixed metal pipes that run front to back I had to lift the car with my standard lift pads then lower the car onto a pair of drive on ramps front and back on the nearside then change the lift pads for a pair of extended height pads and relift the car using them. That gave access to the plastic 10mm nuts that hold the cover onto the car so it could come off to check the state of the fixed pipes.
Inspection revealed the pipes were still in good order front to back but where they emerge in the rear arch they were lightly rusted, rubbed down they cleaned up to bright metal and were treated to some black gloss metal paint. The flexi pipes were found to be corroded at their ferrals hidden underneath their plastic guides and the line connection guides. Had to take off the lower guide and cut the pipe out of it, it was seized solid. Cleaned all the guides and fitted the new flexi hoses, they come in a pair for each side. 14mm and 17mm spanners fitted the stainless fittings on the new hoses.
Plumbed the lines in and set about bleeding using my airline vaccum bleeder, system bled till no air bubbles emerged and checked all joints for any leaks, none found so wheel put back on and the centre plastic line cover put back on. Offside to be done tomorrow and maybe the fronts if the rear dosn't fight me. Would have hated attempting this job using axle stands, the extra height with the lift made the job far easier.DSC_0049.JPGDSC_0051.JPGDSC_0053.JPGDSC_0057.JPGDSC_0058.JPG
 
Last edited:

t-tony

Zorg Expert (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
#ZedShed
Joined
Dec 31, 2013
Points
226
Location
Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
Model of Z
E89 Z4 23i Auto
I noticed the same on my car Col at MOT time. I cleaned the pipes on mine and applied some copper grease to them.

Tony.

ps. I like the idea regarding extra lift mate, and I think I will be making some similar things for my lift too. They will be useful when it's outside and not limited by garage roof.
 

colb

Zorg Guru (V)
British Zeds
Joined
Nov 25, 2012
Points
178
Location
Newport, South Wales,UK
Model of Z
Z3 M43 1.8 (1999) and Z4 E85 2.5 (2003)
My old drive up ramps came in really useful to allow me to get the extended pads under the car, only used them on one side so the car lifted and was tilted over to the right which allowed me to access the underside plastic cover to get at the brake lines. Tilted on the lift it was still rock steady, no way for it to slip in any direction.
 

t-tony

Zorg Expert (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
#ZedShed
Joined
Dec 31, 2013
Points
226
Location
Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
Model of Z
E89 Z4 23i Auto
Good info mate, thank you.

Tony.
 

colb

Zorg Guru (V)
British Zeds
Joined
Nov 25, 2012
Points
178
Location
Newport, South Wales,UK
Model of Z
Z3 M43 1.8 (1999) and Z4 E85 2.5 (2003)
What goes around comes around, even had time to knock up a version of your Mk1 lift arm stick with some odd lengths of wood I had in the garage, works a treat.
 

colb

Zorg Guru (V)
British Zeds
Joined
Nov 25, 2012
Points
178
Location
Newport, South Wales,UK
Model of Z
Z3 M43 1.8 (1999) and Z4 E85 2.5 (2003)
Completed the brake pipes renewal today, did the offside rear followed by both fronts, just needed a clean up of the fixed pipes and the HEL stainless hoses plumbed in. Bled using a vaccum bleeder then cleaned out the brake pads and calipers on the front, coppersliped the sliding faces the pads run on. The car is on Sorn at the moment whilst the Z3 is on the road so probably going to fit the aftermarket heated seat pads whilst its off the road.
 
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