brake line copper pipes

Post Mon Mar 02, 2015 7:10 pm

hi guys does anyone know if there is a simpler way to change the rear solid brake lines without dropping the fuel tank, subframe etc?
I got under the car today but i dont see how i can get to the pipes under the Axel without removing parts, which id rather not do

thanks

Post Mon Mar 02, 2015 7:16 pm

it is possible with the tank in place just more fiddly, i think i dropped the diff out to get some more room but can't really remember

can you not tie the work in with new subframe bushes etc ? as sometimes you spend just as much time trying to complete an awkward task with no access - as you would removing the whole lot and doing said job in minutes

Edit- thinking about it the beam was out too as I converted to discs at the same time

Post Tue Mar 03, 2015 12:22 am

There's nothing to stop you re routing the pipes, as long as you fix them securely, but, as said above, taking the tank out at the same time as doing other work in the area, such as beam bushes is the way to go.
Copper isn't an ideal material for brake pipes, since it hardens with vibration, and become brittle. A copper/nickel alloy, known as cunifer is the stuff to use.

Post Tue Mar 03, 2015 5:16 pm

Brianmoooore wrote:There's nothing to stop you re routing the pipes, as long as you fix them securely, but, as said above, taking the tank out at the same time as doing other work in the area, such as beam bushes is the way to go.
Copper isn't an ideal material for brake pipes, since it hardens with vibration, and become brittle. A copper/nickel alloy, known as cunifer is the stuff to use.

would that cunifer stuff also be known as easy bend? if so i did all my rear lines in it and i couldnt be happier

Post Tue Mar 03, 2015 6:22 pm

Google says that "EZI bend" brake tube is a copper/ nickel alloy, so it looks like it might be.

Post Tue Mar 03, 2015 7:17 pm

I think nearly all copper line sold as "brake pipe" is copper/nickel, you can get pure copper but it tends to be bigger sizes/thinner wall than needed for brake pipes.

Post Tue Mar 03, 2015 7:20 pm

HairyScreech wrote:I think nearly all copper line sold as "brake pipe" is copper/nickel, you can get pure copper but it tends to be bigger sizes/thinner wall than needed for brake pipes.

I think they are just different mixes.

I prefer kunifer, it's quite nice to work with and looks better.

It's got to the point my manager doesn't give me brake pipes no more, I'll remove everything necessary to make the brake pipe look factory.

Post Tue Mar 03, 2015 7:30 pm

Cheers lads I have got the right piping, I should have done it when I did the bushes a couple years ago.

Brianmoooore I like your idea of rerouting the pipe altogether I didn't think of that

Post Tue Mar 03, 2015 7:37 pm

mamodesen wrote: Brianmoooore I like your idea of rerouting the pipe altogether I didn't think of that

For the record, I consider this to be a complete bodge, and would never do it - if a jobs worth doing, it's worth doing properly.
Removing an E30 fuel tank isn't that big a job on a ramp.