911

I've got an 82 911SC (and had other 911s) I've worked on and around my brakes from time to time (replacing pads, wheel bearings,etc.) and I occasionally manage to bend the hard "connecting line" (PorschePart# 911.355.605.01) enough that they need replacing All the PartsHouses seem to know about replacement brake "hoses "(PorschePart# 901.355.632.01) but no one seems to know much about replacement lines (except Pelican and the dealer) But, being a long time DIYer fanatic I'd like to be able to make my own --- it looks like it wouldn't be too hard).

So, if I make my own lines --- any suggestions?:
-use what kind of tubing? where to get it?
-suggestions on how to bend them without collapsing the tube at the bend? --- inset a wire inside? or?
-where to get replacement connectors for the ends? --- I broke one line at the end before so I was able to cut off the tube and flare the end and refit the connector but it's kinda chewed now and the line is rather short and iffy so I'd like to replace it too.

Forum owner --- sorry, I forgot to expand the topic title. "911" is a bit too generic. Could you please rename topic to "911 brake lines". I tried to delete and resubmit but only you can do that evidently. Thanks, "tog"

Have you been using flare-nut wrenches on those hydraulic fittings? They are MANDATORY !!!

Don't take this as criticism, but you can't do it properly without a special metric double-flaring tool, and I've never even heard of a source for one in the USA!

There are special bender tools suitable for brake lines ... www.harborfreight.com has them for $5.99, and metric flare-nut wrench sets for $7.99.

The replacement steel brake lines are quite reasonable from Stoddard's or your local dealer, but they are straight, you will have to bend them!

I hope you realize how critical the hydraulic brake lines are to the safe operation of your car! It is not really a good area to be doing lash-ups on!

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

Criticism is ALWAYS welcome. I love to run mine up to 150+ mph and want to live to tell the tale!

I've had experience with the brakes failing (the caliper bolts let go from a bad repair job by some lame mechanic on a 912 I had... I was coming up to a redlight at 40mph when putting my foot on the brakes and suddenly a BANG, no brakes! To avoid other people stopped at the light in front of me I jumped into the left turn lane, shifted to a lower gear, came to the end of the lane and made a RIGHT (in front of the stopped cars) turn to avoid the cross traffic and then coasted to a stop when I could... a lot of open mouths from all the nearby drivers who must have thought I was in a REAL hurry or drunk --- but I survived it! Saw brake fluid everywhere coming from the right side wheel and one look revealed what had happened --- two halves of the caliper were evidently apart)

I've been using normal open-end wrenches but you're probably right I should use better wrenches so that I don't strip the hydraulic nuts which I often come close to doing I'll use my crowfoot sockets in the future --- I went to Harbor's site and could only find a flare nut set in English sizes --- no metrics (3/8'' x 7/16'', 1/2'' x 9/16'', and 5/8'' x 11/16'' 3-pc flare nut set) at $19.99 no matter what kind of search word I used


Yes, I already have the flare tool ("DOUBLE TUBE FLARING TOOL" kit) and it was what I used on my repair. but they're a little short now so ---

I'm taking your advice for now and ordering the two front lines from you guys (Pelican) and assume from what you say that they will also come straight and I'll have to bend them myself. So I found the "TUBING BENDER" at $5.99 at "Harbor" --- THANKS!

The 5-piece metric flare-nut wrench set is pn# 05126-7RHH in my Harbor Catalog, Key = RH667.

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

Thanks for the part number --- found it... turns out the search needed "flarenut" --- all one word, no spaces, no hyphen. This will be a great cheap addition to my already huge tool collection and I can use it for other things where more grip is needed but you can't get a box wrench on it.

BTW, Warren, extend my thanks to Darren Bond there at Pelican for all the good effort he put into getting my list of parts together at a great price to help me solve my "wandering" problem. I just found Pelican via ebay and am now a loyal convert due to the tech support, forums, great prices, fanatic Porsche-lovers who work there... enough praise Warren --- get back to answering everybody's problems on the forums --- do you ever sleep?