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Replacing brake lines

Posted by rocannon

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Replacing brake lines #1
rocannon Frank L Oklahoma, USA 1980 MG MGB "Restored By Photoshop Inc."	Posted: February 08, 2013 10:39AM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 2,115

Replacing brake lines with the engine in place is a royal PAIN in the moon

Procrastinate... later.

TANSTAAFL !

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Re: Replacing brake lines #2
NOHOME Peter Plouf London, Canada 1961 Austin-Healey Sprite Bugeye "Lil" 1967 MG MGB GT "Maggie (GT From Hell)"	Posted: February 08, 2013 11:18AM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 11,867

Especially the crossover one that goes behind the crossmember. Not so bad if "pretty" is not on the cards, but almost impossible if it is.

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Re: Replacing brake lines #3
rocannon Frank L Oklahoma, USA 1980 MG MGB "Restored By Photoshop Inc."	Posted: February 08, 2013 01:48PM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 2,115

Fortunately I'm swapping out the RB crossmember for a CB so access behind it will be good.

It's the line going from the MC, across the firewall, down past the starter and towards the rear that looks to be a might finicky.

Procrastinate... later.

TANSTAAFL !

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Re: Replacing brake lines #4
NOHOME Peter Plouf London, Canada 1961 Austin-Healey Sprite Bugeye "Lil" 1967 MG MGB GT "Maggie (GT From Hell)"	Posted: February 08, 2013 02:50PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 11,867

In reply to # 2284504 by rocannon Fortunately I'm swapping out the RB crossmember for a CB so access behind it will be good.

It's the line going from the MC, across the firewall, down past the starter and towards the rear that looks to be a might finicky.

Are you using the old lines as a template?

I stole an idea from the header guys and made a bunch of bends. I marked the spot where the bend started and ended in the bending tool. I then taped the bends to the car where they were required.

Doing this, you can measure between the end of one bend and the other, and recreate the path on your bench-top.

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Re: Replacing brake lines #5
rocannon Frank L Oklahoma, USA 1980 MG MGB "Restored By Photoshop Inc."	Posted: February 08, 2013 06:30PM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 2,115

Yes and no. I'm retrofitting the Dual Line Non-Servo brake system to my car. I have the original line from the servo MC to the rear I'll use as a template. Had to cut it in two to get it out.

The trick will be figuring out how to finagle the new line into place... cutting it into two parts won't work. winking smiley

At the moment it looks like I'll have to disconnect the heater lines so I can lay the line down onto the shelf in front of the heater. Upside is I need to dump the coolant anyway to replace the water pump.

Procrastinate... later.

TANSTAAFL !

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/08/2013 06:33PM by rocannon.

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Re: Replacing brake lines #6
Jim K James A. Krasnansky Liberty, KY, USA 1970 MG MGB GT "Chloe" 1971 MG MGB GT "Roscoe" 1972 MG MGB "Camilla"	Posted: February 08, 2013 07:50PM Registered: 9 years ago Posts: 7,901

Frank -
Are you using the kit, or off the shelf? I used the British made kit - the rear line you describe has a compression fitting for the 2 parts.

Maybe if you got an assistant you could fit it in as your partner feeds it to you.

Jim K is a grease-stained wretch

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Re: Replacing brake lines #7
rocannon Frank L Oklahoma, USA 1980 MG MGB "Restored By Photoshop Inc."	Posted: February 08, 2013 08:30PM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 2,115

James,
I'm using the brake line kit. I know about the compression union that joins the line from the MC to the line that goes to the rear. Had a heck of a time getting it apart.

The line from the MC (my car is LHD, btw) runs along the firewall, turns down alongside the clutch hydraulic line, then turns toward the rear. A three dimensional L&Z shape.

I've been looking and think that if I work from the rear towards the front I'll have the best luck.

Thanks,
Frank

Procrastinate... later.

TANSTAAFL !

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Re: Replacing brake lines #8
ToffeeMark Mark H Peterborough, United Kingdom 1978 MG MGB GT	Posted: February 09, 2013 02:15AM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 189

You're making me nervous, I've got to fit a fuel tank and fuel lines and I think the hard brake lines need replacing as well.

I'm debating whether I need a professional to do this job now.

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Re: Replacing brake lines #9
Jim K James A. Krasnansky Liberty, KY, USA 1970 MG MGB GT "Chloe" 1971 MG MGB GT "Roscoe" 1972 MG MGB "Camilla"	Posted: February 09, 2013 08:12AM Registered: 9 years ago Posts: 7,901

Frank-
That's how I did it - rear to forward. My engine is out as this is more-or-less a total rebuild. Note: I didn't say restoration.

Misery loves company. winking smiley

Jim K is a grease-stained wretch

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Re: Replacing brake lines #10
redmussie Peter Soderstrom Australia, Australia 1969 MG MGB	Posted: February 16, 2013 10:23PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 26

I am replacing all the lines but was not smart enough to keep the old ones as a template. I have lots of pics thanks to other members but no template where to bend. My care is a chrome bumper 1969 MGB mark 2, Australian built , open to ideas?..

Regards Peter

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Re: Replacing brake lines #11
tommylg tom greene murfreesboro tn, USA 1974 MG MGB GT	Posted: February 17, 2013 09:51AM Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 845

The absolute, most frustrating job I did when redoing my GT. The clutch line was worse because if you get Angle a correct, Angle D changes. Both brake/clutch lines lie on many different planes and alot of patience is required. I rerouted the clutch line a bit to get it in.
Tommy

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Re: Replacing brake lines #12
lskaboots kim gibson La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA 1965 Triumph Spitfire MkII 1966 Triumph Spitfire MkII 1972 MG Midget MkII 1974 MG MGB 1977 Triumph Spitfire 1500 → more	Posted: February 17, 2013 10:10AM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 122

No matter how carefully and perfectly the bends were made at the bench, on fitting, some have to be "unbent" which makes those nice straight runs wavy looking.
Totally agree...a royal PITA. Next restoration, the lines will be the FIRST things put back in.

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Re: Replacing brake lines #13
PK Pat Keenan Watertown, NY, USA	Posted: February 17, 2013 12:08PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 25

Agree with the PIA. I am replacing all the lines in my 77 rebuild. The toughest part was the offset around and through the cross member under the car. In comparison to other noted restoration pia's, the heater box was a breeze compared to this. That said, the key to success as everyone has heard time after time is to have a good plan for the job and take your time while working. All worth it in the end.

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Re: Replacing brake lines #14
ClayJ Clay Johnston Mt. Olive, MS, USA 1972 MG MGB	Posted: February 17, 2013 03:40PM Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 7,351

Definitely one of thoses winter task when there's nothing but hours of boredom.

There is that company that will provide pre-bent lines. Can't remember the name but they've been mentioned many times. If I remember the price has climbed considerably.

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Re: Replacing brake lines #15
PaulP Paul Peterson , WA, USA 1973 MG MGB GT 1974 MG MGB	Posted: February 21, 2013 01:47PM Registered: 10 years ago Posts: 3,952

Clay - Classic Tube is the name of the place that sells a pre-bent kit of lines. I need to replace the brake line that goes accross the rear axle. I was hoping they'd sell just the one line, but was told they only sell these as a kit.

http://www.classictube.com/

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Re: Replacing brake lines DONE! #16
rocannon Frank L Oklahoma, USA 1980 MG MGB "Restored By Photoshop Inc."	Posted: March 06, 2013 10:33PM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 2,115

Lines from MC/H-block to rear axle are done. Started rear line at rear axle and went forward to union under middle of car. Used the old line as a template and installation was easy.

Then started front line at MC/H-block down to union with rear line. Fitting the line required installing/uninstalling the line many times for measuring, bending, checking fit, etc. I removed both water lines to heater, speedo cable, and throttle cable to make fitting the front line along the front of the heater and down the firewall and under the car easy.

The two lines on the rear axle and the two on the front crossmember will be much easier in comparison.

UPDATE:
Done. All brake lines and MC are in place. Next is bleeding the brakes. And I can say with certainty that routing the lines along/around the front crossmember is NOT much easier. winking smiley

The upside is that I can now R&R the front crossmember blindfolded. thumbs up

Starting from the rear and moving towards the front is the way to go. By the time I got to the front of the car I could make measurements and bends with confidence. Said confidence was sorely tested by the front crossmember. drinking smiley

Procrastinate... later.

TANSTAAFL !

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/18/2013 05:44PM by rocannon.

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Re: Replacing brake lines #17
Sprite Lou Lou A. Oregon, USA 1970 MG MGB GT "Higgins" 1973 MG MGB GT "Eliza" 1976 MG MGB "Daphne"	Posted: March 07, 2013 08:00AM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 6,213

In reply to # 2295288 by PaulP Clay - Classic Tube is the name of the place that sells a pre-bent kit of lines. I need to replace the brake line that goes accross the rear axle. I was hoping they'd sell just the one line, but was told they only sell these as a kit.

http://www.classictube.com/

@Paul: Whoa! $350 bucks?!! That's pretty steep -- I think Gordon is offering a complete brake line kit for MGB right now for $99.95 (they're coiled up of course, so you need to bend 'em but they do have all the nut fittings on the ends). Pretty sure he has (as others do) just the 2 pieces for the rear axle.

'76 MGB RD MKIII "Daphne"
'70 MGB GT MKIII "Higgins" - parting out!
'73 MGB GT MKIII "Eliza"
RIP Peter Cummins
RIP John D. Weimer
RIP Mick McGuire

"Black-Label Factory OD" --- X2
"Custom Basil Side Cover" --- X2
"Hiltonized" SU HS4s --- X2
"Schlemmerized" Dizzy X1 (for now)
"MGCCARS" Alternator X2
"Kerim21" custom floor lighting --- X1
"DBWood" custom, one-of-a-kind heater valve --- X2
"Ingramized" Bonnet & Hatch Struts --- X2
"DuBois-ed" SU Fuel Pump --- X1 (for now)
"Peter-Built" Shocks --- X1
WAY More parts from Roop than even HE remembers!

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Re: Replacing brake lines #18
riley1489 Bruce Hopgood Montreal, Quebec, Canada 1973 MG MGB	Posted: March 07, 2013 09:35AM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 728

Installing these lines is a test of patience and character for sure. winking smiley

I used 'cunifer' or copper nickle brake line material to replace my rusting steel original ones. This material is much easier to bend and bieng softer quite easy to adjust at the final fitment. If you go this route, I suggest taping the flares to protect them while fitting the line, they get easily damaged while manhandling to fit.

B

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Re: Replacing brake lines #19
phatkaw Andy Small Napoleon, OH, USA 1967 MG MGB 1976 MG MGB 1978 MG MGB 1979 MG MGB Limited Edition (LE)	Posted: March 07, 2013 11:53AM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 155

Maybe it's a stupid question (it won't be my first) but doesn't Moss and/or VB sell pre-bent brake lines that are a direct replacement for those on our B's? I have to replace the line from the MC to the front/right wheel as there is a 'kink' in the line near the connection to the rubber brake line. I was just going to buy a replacement from Moss. Am I missing something? confused smiley

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Re: Replacing brake lines #20
PaulP Paul Peterson , WA, USA 1973 MG MGB GT 1974 MG MGB	Posted: March 07, 2013 01:34PM Registered: 10 years ago Posts: 3,952

Andy - The only source I've found for pre-formed lines is Classic Tubes. Unfortunately, they only sell the full kit. The Moss lines are cut to length with flares already made, but you'll need to form them yourself. VBs are likely the same.

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