Hard Brake Line Source for LWB Front Calipers

spinmd · 01:42 PM

Did an exhaustive search on Pelican but couldn't find anything...

Been looking for an aftermarket supplier for hard brake lines for the front M caliper (#28 in image below) to the rubber hose for a '71 911. I've been able to locate metric 8" lines locally (to bend myself); however, the threaded fitting is about 2mm too long which bottoms out in the rubber hose fitting and prevents it from pulling snugly against the retainer spring (#27 in image). I think leaving the lines loose in the fitting will cause excessive wear and tear from vibration.

I realize I can purchase them from our host for $25 but these are typically $3-$4 lines if you bend them yourself. I'm thinking about using a lock or star washer between the hard line fitting and the retainer spring to reduce the length of the fitting inside the rubber hose.

Is that a bad idea?

Thanks,

Ron

Classic · 08-17-2011, 01:17 PM

Just had a brake place make up some lines for me only cost was a few beers, I got one of the hard line kits from our host, but because my car is a RHD car some of the lines where a little different.

spinmd · 08-17-2011, 01:41 PM

Classic.. I'm not so lucky here. I can't find any local shop that manufactures brake lines. If I were back in California I'd probably have no problems...

RichardM912 · 08-18-2011, 05:07 AM

I recently replaced one of mine - tie rod had been rubbing on it. Simply took the old line to a local brake shop. They cut it, took off the end fittings and put them onto a new length of pipe. I bent it by hand to fit. Difficult to believe that a local shop could not do it. It is only a matter of "flaring" the pipe ends with the right tool. Cost me $18 and they even sandblasted the old end fittings to clean them. Looked brand new.

Hand bending worked well. I first made a dummy line out of a length of coat hanger wire to get the right "shape". Mine was much more complex because car has been converted from left hand to right hand drive.

spinmd · 08-18-2011, 07:17 AM

RichardM912,

Thanks. I should've explained that the one I removed had both fittings mangled as I had to use vise grips to get them loose. I haven't done the other side yet but I wanted to be prepared. If it weren't for having to destroy the fittings, I could have reused the lines as the pipes were in excellent shape. Alas, it's the fittings I'm having a difficult time locating.

I checked with a local shop and they agreed that using a washer between the pipe fitting and the retainer spring is a good idea; especially if I use a stainless steel lock washer which wouldn't rust and would help ensure the fitting doesn't work its way loose.

Ron

JerryL · 08-18-2011, 07:37 AM

I have used Classic Tube in the past for some very nice stainless tubes, they have some stock patterns (as you would guess mostly American muscle. But they will copy lines you send them.
They made me some very pretty lines for the 66 early calipers that have the external solid line going over the caliper from 1 half to the other. And way too short to find a line to bend. and stainless to boot.
Turn around time was pretty damn good

Regards

Classic Tube - PreBent and Custom Stainless and OE Brake Lines and more...

spinmd · 08-18-2011, 07:58 AM

Great! I'll look into Classic Tube...

Thanks,

Ron