Fluid Leaking From Both Rear Brakes. HELP!

EM-KOOP · 03-27-2012, 02:20 PM

Hey guys,
i just went out to my car and noticed brake fluid leaking from both rear brakes. i haven't done anything out of the ordinary since i got her so i don't know why this is happening. and why from BOTH rear brakes? anyone have the same experience or have any advice as to what i should do?

thekurgan · 03-27-2012, 02:33 PM

Are you the original owner? If not, do you know if the brake system is stock or were there any modifications like brake lines, caliper rebuild, etc. in the past?

Finnegan · 03-27-2012, 02:47 PM

^Good questions by Kurgan.

More simple possibility is that someone simply didn't do a good job of tightening the bleed screws.

Have you determined the source of the leak(s)? Fairly easy to do, jack up one side of the car using the jack point in front of the rear wheels, (using all standard safety methods) and see if you can find the source of the leak by tracing the fluid. (Not sure what your experience/skill level is, so I'll give the standard warning here: do not touch brake fluid with bare hands, or get on paint, etc. Toxic and kills paint faster than you can say "paint".)

Quickid · 03-27-2012, 05:12 PM

Like Finnegan said, trace the source and if possible, take a pic and post it.

You said you haven't done anything out of the ordinary. I take it that means you haven't taken it to a shop for a brake flush or anything?

gcochard · 03-27-2012, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finnegan

do not touch brake fluid with bare hands

Uhh...I broke that rule LONG ago. Clutch master cylinder went out on my m3 and I was drenched in it by the time I was done replacing it. I guess I'll be more careful in the future.

Anyway, just a quick +1, it's pretty simple to check the bleeder screws (more like bolts). Just pop the cap off of them and see if they are wet. If so, tighten them. If not, you may need to replace the calipers or brake lines.

Finnegan · 03-27-2012, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cliffhopper

Uhh...I broke that rule LONG ago. Clutch master cylinder went out on my m3 and I was drenched in it by the time I was done replacing it. I guess I'll be more careful in the future.

Anyway, just a quick +1, it's pretty simple to check the bleeder screws (more like bolts). Just pop the cap off of them and see if they are wet. If so, tighten them. If not, you may need to replace the calipers or brake lines.

Yeah, bleeder bolts

.

Getting some brake fluid on your skin isn't going to kill you. It's not good for you though, and it's just a good safety practice to wear gloves when there's a chance of getting it on hands.

Ron Stygar · 03-27-2012, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finnegan

Getting some brake fluid on your skin isn't going to kill you. It's not good for you though, and it's just a good safety practice to wear gloves when there's a chance of getting it on hands.

Part of 34 00 ...

EM-KOOP · 03-29-2012, 07:40 PM

[IMG]

[/IMG]

Thanks for all of the responses guys!
Here's a pic from the rear end. Is the brake line supposed to be jammed up against the hub like that? It looks like the sharp angle that the brake line is bent at is cause for a lot of stress at the joint(visually where the leak is coming from).

I'm gonna go ahead and replace the lines tomorrow but I was wondering if anything should be done about that 90° angle that the hose is bent at. And it looks like the hose is too short so it's right up against the hub.

03-27-2012, 02:20 PM	#1
EM-KOOP New Member 0 Rep 16 Posts Drives: '07 Z4M Coupe Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Sunny SoCal iTrader: (0)	Fluid Leaking From Both Rear Brakes. HELP! Hey guys, i just went out to my car and noticed brake fluid leaking from both rear brakes. i haven't done anything out of the ordinary since i got her so i don't know why this is happening. and why from BOTH rear brakes? anyone have the same experience or have any advice as to what i should do?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

03-27-2012, 02:33 PM	#2
thekurgan Bad Lieutenant 233 Rep 3,517 Posts Drives: E90M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sacramento iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	Are you the original owner? If not, do you know if the brake system is stock or were there any modifications like brake lines, caliper rebuild, etc. in the past? __________________ 02 E39M5 \| TiAg/Schwartz \| Tubi Rumore \| Ultimate Ti Pedals \| E60 SSK \| Jim Blanton 3.45 40/100% \| Coby Alcantara \| StrongStrut STB
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-27-2012, 02:47 PM	#3
Finnegan Dog Listener 703 Rep 7,850 Posts Drives: Z4M/. Z3M, E36/46 M3 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Teaching the dog to slalom iTrader: (22)	^Good questions by Kurgan. More simple possibility is that someone simply didn't do a good job of tightening the bleed screws. Have you determined the source of the leak(s)? Fairly easy to do, jack up one side of the car using the jack point in front of the rear wheels, (using all standard safety methods) and see if you can find the source of the leak by tracing the fluid. (Not sure what your experience/skill level is, so I'll give the standard warning here: do not touch brake fluid with bare hands, or get on paint, etc. Toxic and kills paint faster than you can say "paint".)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-27-2012, 05:12 PM	#4
Quickid First Lieutenant 11 Rep 331 Posts Drives: 08 Z4MC, 06 X5 4.4i, 99 323i Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (4)	Like Finnegan said, trace the source and if possible, take a pic and post it. You said you haven't done anything out of the ordinary. I take it that means you haven't taken it to a shop for a brake flush or anything? __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-29-2012, 07:40 PM	#8
EM-KOOP New Member 0 Rep 16 Posts Drives: '07 Z4M Coupe Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Sunny SoCal iTrader: (0)	[IMG][/IMG] Thanks for all of the responses guys! Here's a pic from the rear end. Is the brake line supposed to be jammed up against the hub like that? It looks like the sharp angle that the brake line is bent at is cause for a lot of stress at the joint(visually where the leak is coming from). I'm gonna go ahead and replace the lines tomorrow but I was wondering if anything should be done about that 90° angle that the hose is bent at. And it looks like the hose is too short so it's right up against the hub.
	Appreciate 0 Quote