New HEL steel braided brake lines. Copper washers?

Mr.Smartepants · 08-13-2023, 09:19 AM

I just got done fitting new steel braided brake lines on my F34 (M-sport calipers), and the kit came with 4 copper crush washers and some odd plastic crimp connectors. The old rubber lines were flared male to caliper, and flared female to chassis line. The copper washers don't fit inside the steel barrel (female end) and I just installed the lines without them since they seemed to serve no purpose. I understand the copper washers are needed for pass through "banjo" fittings, but my car does not have these.
Did I screw up?

*Edit: I should point out that I double checked the lines today, and none of them are leaking. I just worry about damaging the flared seats.

Oksamit78 · 08-14-2023, 11:14 AM

You are perfectly fine. The copper washers are not meant for flared/threaded connection afaik. I use those only in pass through fittings myself.

Mr.Smartepants · 08-14-2023, 11:37 AM

Thanks for confirming my suspicions. It begs the question of why they include them in kits that don't need them. I'll be firing off an email to the company to ask why.

08-13-2023, 09:19 AM	#1
Mr.Smartepants Private 38 Rep 79 Posts Drives: 2017 BMW 320i GT (F34) Join Date: Jul 2023 Location: Cambridgeshire iTrader: (0)	New HEL steel braided brake lines. Copper washers? I just got done fitting new steel braided brake lines on my F34 (M-sport calipers), and the kit came with 4 copper crush washers and some odd plastic crimp connectors. The old rubber lines were flared male to caliper, and flared female to chassis line. The copper washers don't fit inside the steel barrel (female end) and I just installed the lines without them since they seemed to serve no purpose. I understand the copper washers are needed for pass through "banjo" fittings, but my car does not have these. Did I screw up? Edit: I should point out that I double checked the lines today, and none of them are leaking. I just worry about damaging the flared seats. __________________ 2017 BMW 320i GT (F34). M-sport brake/wheels upgrade. Stage-1 tune, Kies Motorsport charge pipe, Dinan coils, K&N filter. KW v1 coilover kit. Last edited by Mr.Smartepants; 08-13-2023 at 10:31 AM..*
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08-14-2023, 11:14 AM	#2
Oksamit78 Lieutenant 272 Rep 467 Posts Drives: E39, F30 & F34 Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Mississauga, ON iTrader: (9)	You are perfectly fine. The copper washers are not meant for flared/threaded connection afaik. I use those only in pass through fittings myself. __________________ 2003 E39 530i 5-Speed w/ M Spec, Saphire/Black, M54B30, Active Autowerke Performance Tune 2010 Lancer GTS 5-Speed, Black Pearl/Black, 4B12 2015 F30 335i XDrive w/ M Sport Pack, Alpine White/Black, N55B30M0 2017 F34 340i XDrive w/ M Sport Pack, Azure II /Black, B58B30M0, Dinan Stage 1
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08-14-2023, 11:37 AM	#3
Mr.Smartepants Private 38 Rep 79 Posts Drives: 2017 BMW 320i GT (F34) Join Date: Jul 2023 Location: Cambridgeshire iTrader: (0)	Thanks for confirming my suspicions. It begs the question of why they include them in kits that don't need them. I'll be firing off an email to the company to ask why. __________________ 2017 BMW 320i GT (F34). M-sport brake/wheels upgrade. Stage-1 tune, Kies Motorsport charge pipe, Dinan coils, K&N filter. KW v1 coilover kit.
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