what size solid brake line

[dullbird]

Hi Guys

does anyone know what size brake line is used for the series vehicles and a rough idea of how much would be needed?

are there different wall thicknesses?

[d@rk51d3]

Hi Guys

does anyone know what size brake line is used for the series vehicles and a rough idea of how much would be needed?

are there different wall thicknesses?

3/16
comes in rolls about 20ft long, from memory.

[dullbird]

excellent thank you

[dullbird]

so next question

what material

now last time I suggested copper everyone was saying you shouldn't use copper for the brake lines however it specifys in the book that the lines are made from copper.

so

Copper
steel
Stainless steel
galvanised steel
any others?

what should I get a roll of this is the next stage for our car making up the brake lines

[JDNSW]

The originals are galvanised steel. My understanding is that it is no longer legal to use copper for brake lines (this is because copper will work harden and crack) although I'll bet it is still being used, and provided the line is supported properly I doubt it is a serious problem. I think there is a special corrosion resistant alloy you can get (at least in those parts of the world where salt is used on roads). Have a talk to a brake place.

John

[dullbird]

copper is still used in the UK I think.....

I have seen aluminum as well while doing a search online.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

DM

The tube is 3/16", it is still legal to use copper brake lines, but it has to be special thick wall tube branded for brake lines. It is not legal to use thin wall or industrial copper tube, unless it has the branding for automotive brake applcations.

Diana

[JDNSW]

I think you will find that the brake line branded copper is not pure copper but is a special non-work hardening alloy, even if described as copper.

John

[chazza]

I think the work-hardening "issue" is a bit of a Furphy, given that steel and aluminium brake tube can also work-harden. There appears to have been problems in some jurisdictions where people in their ignorance have used the wrong thickness copper tube with disastrous results, leading to all sorts of untruths being told to myself by motor parts factors that; "copper pipe is illegal"; "no longer made" , etc. The best thing to do, is to ring your licencing authority engineering section and ask them for the truth and their advice.

Dullbird, if you are re-doing the whole car, buy two rolls of tube for good luck. If you use steel, ask for bundy tube. As Diana says it is most important to tell the shop what it is for i.e. brakes. If you use steel you will need to buy a rather expensive double-flaring kit; if you use copper, a cheap single flarer and the ability to heat copper to a dull-red heat so as to anneal it, will be needed,

Cheers Charlie

[dullbird]

Hi Chazza we already have a double flaring kit