Brake Fluid Leak - Drivers Side

[Brit6]

He toke the pic after he removed the plastic coverings, you can't see the brake lines otherwise....

Originally Posted by Nik

Shouldn't there be plastic coverings?

[flatlander]

Damn that is brake failure waiting to happen. And these are not easy to inspect since they are covered. I wonder how the moisture is getting in? Perhaps this is a design flaw in the underbody cover which allows moisture to get in and traps it there.

I've taken that cover off before to change the fuel filter. Its not a quick job to remove the cover. Some of the bolts are a real pain to get to.

[nebilex]

Just discovered Brake line is leaking right under the driver side and the left rear wheel. The leak is looks somewhat significant from the drips on the ground but i want to take the plastic cover off and see it. Anyone removed the plastic cover before? how easy is it to remove it? Appreciate any input.

[Sean DuPilka]

I had the same problem with my 2004 3.0 last year, both rear brake lines rusted through from the outside causing brake failure. My wife was driving at the time of failure and she was lucky to be local and made it home safe. She knew something felt different but didn't realize how serious this was! When I checked it out in my driveway, fluid poured out onto the ground when I pressed the brake pedal.

Changing both rear lines at the dealer cost me over $1000.

Someone mentioned on here that they were able to get BMW to pay for the labor portion of the bill which was probably 90% of the bill. Has anyone else been successful getting BMW to help out???????

I've never had an issue like this on any of my previous vehicles.....and I hold onto cars for ten years.

[diyanich]

It just happened to me today.
I dropped my family at a camping party and was heading home,but I felt an excessive pedal travel at the first stop sign I felt that here I ran into problems.
I was able to make it home safely,X was still stopping with the pedal in the floor,so when I get out I see a fluid line on the driveway.
If it wasn't because of a Sunday,I would right away go and buy a different ride,not necessarily BMW.
Since April I am fixing that and that,last evening I was changing freaking level sensors,why...why on Earth they keep having these crappy hex ,or whatever you call it,heads bolts that strip the head right away?The first one took about 2 hours to get changed.The front one had a broken harness,it took around 1 hour and a half to solder/seal the connection(somebody tried fixing it before with no luck).At least I was able to fix it right.So Finally I have no freaking SELFLEVEL INACT..Had it for 4 months,got sick of it.Now my right side is lower,before it was a left side.
And before that a cooling system nightmare,which is not finished yet.I still have to swap the secondary thermostat and X rings for the heat exchanger.
Endlessssss.
And now brakes...front rotors changed last year along the calipers,left caliper failed 1 month later the warranty expired....
Struts,control arms,tie rods etc etc etc and much more to be done yet.
Transfer case's chain is loose,I can hear it slamming.
Is there an end?
I am thinking of going back to something less complex,really,this is really overwhelming.It's our only ride,I wish I had a spare car,in that case I wouldn't mind take my time to DIY the way it should be done and not an indie stile,fix one-->break three...

[diyanich]

So,both rear brake lines are being replaced.
They were rusted where they are bracketed to the body.
Anyway..12 years of canadian winters and salt(or other crap they spray),it was about a time.
Now,myself,I am gonna pay more attention to those things from now on.
I am ordering all brake hoses and get them replaced too.
Labor is promised to be around $300 mostly because of plastic cover removal,parts are $50 bucks...labor is pricey.
I can't wait to get it back,new bushings and some new ball joints are waiting in the box

[ake53]

If you ever want to donate it. I'll take it off your hands, fix it and appreciate it. Keep that in mind.

Also here's a trick for when you strip bolts... I did that once on my last car,,,, Volvo.

Trick is! If you strip it.... Grab a locking vise grip and lock the bolt! Now you can unscrew it using the wise grip.


That's the tool.

Good luck

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[diyanich]

Thankfully I was able to get it undone.
But you are pointing me into right direction,I should get one of those(or a couple in different sizes)
NAh,I am keeping my it,this SOB has a lot of life in it yet.Most of the things I changed were changed the expensive way,Everything related in the system and always in pair(if that was the case).
So major stuff is pretty much done.
The monthly cost if I put the sale price,taxes and repairs + maintenance comes close to Honda civic lease monthly payments.But it's not a civic

Originally Posted by alex77ae

If you ever want to donate it. I'll take it off your hands, fix it and appreciate it. Keep that in mind.

Also here's a trick for when you strip bolts... I did that once on my last car,,,, Volvo.

Trick is! If you strip it.... Grab a locking vise grip and lock the bolt! Now you can unscrew it using the wise grip.


That's the tool.

Good luck

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[SlickGT1]

Yea I don't know. Vise grips are a last resort. But sometimes that is exactly what's needed. Assorted plumber pipe wrenches are a plus as well.

[kalaharix5]

Just had to have rear brake lines replaced, 06 X5 3.0 with 98K miles.

Dealer was doing final check before car goes off certified warranty and found brake lines corroded at fittings. Cost $1000 at dealer. Have to drop rear suspension, labor is bulk of expense. NOT covered by extended warranty....