Hello, I had my brakes basically fail on me one day. Got home to find no brake fluid in the tank, and then found the leak. It is the Right Rear steel brake line, and it looks like a tricky task with how long and complex of bends the Mini has for the rear. I plan on replacing both rear at the same time.
I couldnt find much for tips or steps to replace them and does anyone know where I can get them or do I just need to make them and bend them myself.

Thanks

 

I got a lot of very helpful info out of this thread : https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...elacement.html
(and hopefully provided a few good tips myself). Moving things out of the way (exhaust, parking brake cable, fuel line and a couple of vacuum lines) was harder than actually installing the pipes. I bought pipes already cut-to-length and pre-flared, since I couldn't find a bubble-flare tool (p/ns are in the thread). and bent them myself.

 

Try this: https://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/20...ster_line.html

 

That's the booster line (located under the hood, runs over the top of the brake fluid reservoir) not the hard brake pipes (PNs 34326766274 and 34306779195).

We've got two new threads on the exact same issue going....any mods reading, maybe they should be merged?

 

Thanks for the help guys, sorry didnt find the other thread when i posted this one. Ill attempt to get them off and then probably end up ordering the pipe thats made to length for this.
I have done this once on an old truck and had to make one small bend.....This though, is where the fun begins.

 

Hey guys, big issue, any ideas on how to get the mid section of the brake lines apart? I got the right one apart but have now stripped the left side...and they are different, are they suppose to be?

Idk what im going to do now as all i can think of is replace the line going to the DSC unit, which ive heard bad things about touching.

 

The fittings were different on my '03. This post might be helpful to you. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post4418115

 

YES this is normal. Don't know why they are slightly different, but MINI made them that way for some reason.

 

Where is the leak?

you could get a patch kit and replace the section of the line that is leaking...if space will allow.

if the bolt is stripped use pliers to back the bolts off and put them back on. Messy but it works.

or if you go with a patch you might cut the lines on both sides...no need for the bolts

 

Ouch. Only thing I can think of is snip the left line which you're taking out anyway (so you can bend the DSC line down a bit to allow better access), then soak with Pblaster for a good long while and put a vise grip on the stripped fitting.(and hopefully a six-point flare on the connector).

 

I thought of that right after i stripped the nut, i was upset because like you said, should of just cut the line and put the other end of the wrench over it...

how bad is it to replace the line out of the DSC?

 

Well I was able to clamp a vise grip on the nipple end for the line up to the top and able to wrench off that center coupling, so thankfully dont need to mess with those upper lines to the DSC. Now just need to find those center coupling pieces and we will be in business. Thanks!

 

anyone know where I can buy the clips that hold the hard brake line up with. I am being as careful as possible but all keep braking and are so extremely brittle and I cant find them online anywhere... ugh so much for getting this thing back on the road.

 

minipartsdirect.com

look up part numbers here w ur vin

realoem.com

 

Late to this but if anyone stumbles across it. Heat the clips with a heat gun. Greatly reduces the chance of breaking the clips.
robj

 

thanks, I actually store the mini in the winter and I am going to attempt to work on it this week - weekend. I broke a lot of them so probably just order a bunch of new ones.

This is such a pain lol