Fluid leak at ABS unit

[jwhite518]

My bike has a serious leak of brake fluid, which has rendered my front brake unusable. I traced it to the metal line that connects the master cylinder to the ABS unit. When I squeeze the lever, fluid and air bubbles come from the spot where the line goes into the nut that screws it into the ABS. I have completely unscrewed the mounting nut and inspected the metal line. There is a flare at the end of the line - it may be deformed but I can't really tell. There's no gasket or o-ring in this part of the assembly. I suppose I'll just replace this line and see if that fixes it.

Any ideas? Has this ever happened to anyone else? Bike is a 96 R1100RS.

http://jwhite518.smugmug.com/photos/191101114-L.jpg

[jdiaz]

I'd check all those connections on an 11-year old bike. The flare is the way they mate....no gasket or o-ring needed.

And change your fuel filter while the gas tank is off. :D

[jingdog]

This seems obvious but, did you still get leaks after retightening the fitting? Did you also inpsect the place on the ABS unit itself where the flare bolts up to for dirt or dammage?

[jwhite518]

This seems obvious but, did you still get leaks after retightening the fitting? Did you also inpsect the place on the ABS unit itself where the flare bolts up to for dirt or dammage?

Yes it still leaks after tightening, and everything is clean. Don't understand why it would fail for no apparent reason.

[jingdog]

I guess changing the line is the way to go. It just makes me think though when theres no dammage to the flare you can see.

[jwhite518]

I guess changing the line is the way to go. It just makes me think though when theres no dammage to the flare you can see.

That's the way I'm going. Now there's a new problem: This line is not in stock anywhere in the US. Beemer Boneyard doesn't carry it because there's no demand for it. Mine is a freak failure. My dealer can get it from the Fatherland. It's a 2-3 week wait.

The problem is that I need my bike in October for the Spank Rally, which I am registered in, have paid, and am also committed to help the RM with some technical matters. If my bike isn't running I can't run the rally and George Z will be scrambling for help.

I talked to the dealer about having a custom pipe made by a brake place, and he said that it won't take a standard banjo fitting, it needs to be this flare fitting that is BMW specific.

Does anyone have any ideas to work around this mess? Pleeeeze! I'm not desperate yet, but in three weeks I will be.

Thanks,
Jerry

[BubbaZanetti]

That's the way I'm going. Now there's a new problem: This line is not in stock anywhere in the US. Beemer Boneyard doesn't carry it because there's no demand for it. Mine is a freak failure. My dealer can get it from the Fatherland. It's a 2-3 week wait.

The problem is that I need my bike in October for the Spank Rally, which I am registered in, have paid, and am also committed to help the RM with some technical matters. If my bike isn't running I can't run the rally and George Z will be scrambling for help.

I talked to the dealer about having a custom pipe made by a brake place, and he said that it won't take a standard banjo fitting, it needs to be this flare fitting that is BMW specific.

Does anyone have any ideas to work around this mess? Pleeeeze! I'm not desperate yet, but in three weeks I will be.

Thanks,
Jerry

use your car? or ride w/out front brake (which i won't recommend as i did it home from the national in VT 2 last year)

what about making a temporary fix, self adhesive gasket or something (no idea how this stuff would hold up to corrosive dot 4)..............

obv i'm suggesting shadetree stuff here..........

[jingdog]

Ask if you can get a brake line for a non ABS. Then install that line (you wont have ABS) for the ralley. Then install the ABs line when it comes in. Also call a few 800 number BMW dealers around the country and ask if they have one and would they please ship it to you pronto. The dealer may not be telling the true story!