So this past winter I upgraded my 2006 R53 front brakes to JCW (aka R56) and put stainless steel brakes lines on all four corners. Last weekend the left front line failed…apparently it was rubbing on the wheel when I turned. the right front was ready to go. My mechanic told me today that when they were installed they observed that they were longer than the rubber lines that came off and that they tried (apparently unsuccessfully) to ensure the lines were routed to avoid any moving parts.

Has anybody else seen this or anything like it? I bought the lines from Detroit Tuned and have the question into Chad but I have to think something went wrong during installation but I've been real happy with my mechanic so I'd like to think the problem lies elsewhere.

Ideas?

 

If the brake line set was for the R53 MINI then it is up to the mechanic to install them correctly so that no rubbing can occur. You can also inspect the lines regularly for any problems if in doubt.

Sometimes after installation something causes the brake line positions to move and can lead to problems. Were the tires changed or rotated after the brake lines were installed?

 

+1 on incompetent installation.

You paid someone to install new brake lines, and they "tried" to do it right? Any never alerted you to the fact that they had fitment challenges?

I can allow for the possibility that the parts didn't fit right, but I would have expected a good mechanic to inform you of that fact. And if he had any doubts about his fix, I would have expected him to request a follow-up visit to 2x check everything a few days down the road.

1). I would call Detroit Tuned and 2x check you got the right part #s.
2). Then I would find a new mechanic.

No matter how successful he was in your previous engagements, screwing up a simple job like brake line install is a @#$%-up that could have ended very badly for you!

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I ran into similar issues when installing my stainless steel brake lines and will be posting about it in more detail soon with pictures.

Luckily, I caught these fitment issues while I was installing, but I was very disappointed that my "exact fit" lines were not really identical to the factory lines as they were described to be.