Transmission Cooler Line Release clips? (not the tool)

[tempest411]

Hello,


Does anyone know where I can find some new plastic release clips, the ones on the transmission cooler lines? One of mine disintegrated upon removal. Attached is a picture of what I'm referring to.



Thank you for your help.

[Henn28]

I think they are integral to the line….new lines are probably a good investment if they disintegrated like that.

[EODguy]

They are integral and not available separately, but if you remove the cooler block get extra of (17101439140) X-Ring 16,5X4,8X23. You can mess the flange up easily on installation.


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[tempest411]

Originally Posted by Henn28

I think they are integral to the line….new lines are probably a good investment if they disintegrated like that.

The lines aren't in bad shape. They don't leak at all, and they're not spongy or anything. I can use the line as is. All it means is I'll have to use a different kind of tool to release the metal spring clips inside. I might even be able to make something as a substitute for the OE clip, but I have a pretty full list of other stuff to deal with. Plus, the lines are at least $300.00, which is another surprise expense on top of others that have happened as part of a project in which I intended to replace the radiator, the trans cooler thermostat, trans heat exchanger, a lower temp thermostat, and most of the coolant hoses at the front of the engine. I discovered along the way that my shroud was broken, and I succeeded in somehow breaking one of the fan blades in wrenching the fan clutch off the water pump. On the transmission cooler line connectors, I will change the o-rings for sure...

[EODguy]

Personally I would just be worried about losing a line and costing a transmission.

If you are using old lines anyway, how about grabbing an undamaged one from a pick-n-pull yard instead?

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[Clavurion]

Originally Posted by EODguy

Personally I would just be worried about losing a line and costing a transmission.

The plastic part on the connector is only for removal. The line can be installed and is intact without it.

[andrewwynn]

You should be able to fashion a release clip out of a sheet of brass or similar. Fold the edge over 2-3x then curl into the rooms shape until it's the right size to reach in and press the release tabs.


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[x5Alpine]

Just replace the line. Cutting corners and cost on an older BMW will just come back to haunt you. So many of these cars are maintained on a shoe string budget and it shows as lots of them car ending up at co part.

[X5chemist]

Ford and GM use replaceable removal clips. You can try measuring the OEM one against theirs.

[tempest411]

Originally Posted by x5Alpine

Just replace the line. Cutting corners and cost on an older BMW will just come back to haunt you. So many of these cars are maintained on a shoe string budget and it shows as lots of them car ending up at co part.

It depends. The very reason for this current project, replacement of the radiator, trans cooler, thermostats, and hoses is all preventative maintenance. I went with Behr on the radiator, trans cooler, and trans thermostat, and Rein on the hoses-except one, only available from BMW. But the transmission cooler lines are really simple parts. The steel section will essentially never wear out, and the rubber bits are easily replaced with oil cooler hose from McMaster Carr. The pressure in those lines isn't very high at all. The o-rings and sealing washers at the transmission end are easily had. The sticking point as it turns out are the push-lock connectors at the cooler. The lines coming out of the cooler are 14mm, and I've been unable to find disconnects in that size anywhere. So...I may yet end up replacing these lines with new OEM assemblies, but not now. If nothing else I don't want to leave it stuck in the driveway for another week, especially when I have high confidence in a repair to the one problematic connector.