SS line replacement
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Ga
SS line replacement
IM thinking of adding SS fuel and brake lines to my frame off. The lines i have arent in bad shape, but i was thinking since im at this point might not be a bad investment. How do they ship such long lines? Anyone had success with getting them in decent shape? Ive seen a few phots from couple of vendors and they seem to be folded up....Is this the way they ship? If so any tips on bending them back straight....and do they come out decent after such?
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,424
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland FL
They bend the lines and stuff them in boxes to ship them. Usually a big radius bend about mid way for fuel lines. I got my SS 3/8" fuel line from Ecklers and that's how it was packed. They put a couple of bends in it to get it in the box. One about mid way, then on the end where it shoots over from the frame to the fuel sender. I still haven't gotten its shape to match the factory lines but hopefully somebody else will post what they have done. The 3/8" SS line is a bear to bend; even with a bender.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 370
Likes: 77
From: Perth Western Australia
I had ss brake lines air freighted down to Australia. they came in a large box with the rear line having a large radius shipping bend about half way. The rear line straightened out and all lines fitted well.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 450
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria Va
Yes, a good investment with litte work required. I just finished installing a new suspension, engine, and brakes and wish I would have replaced the brake lines while it was all apart. I'm replacing the lines now and it's a pain in the rear.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 6
From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
I bought the full SS brake line kit from Zip. All the lines were marked showing where the shipping bend was located. I just hand straightened at those points and installed. Easy.
I still need the fuel lines and will order them also from Zip. Good service and reasonable pricing. The fuel lines are $75 each tank to pump.
I still need the fuel lines and will order them also from Zip. Good service and reasonable pricing. The fuel lines are $75 each tank to pump.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 915
Likes: 2
From: Lima, OH -- 69 L71 427/435hp
I just finished doing this last week myself, seems there is one main supplier for them because they all have the bends in same place and tagged accordingly, usually come in oversized box, mine came in 2 (one inside another).
The 'prebend', I found out, is not, always 'prebent' exactly correct in all spots and you may have to wrestle with it a bit. I fought like hell with the rear lines, especially the rear one coming out of the caliper and running along the T/A.
Also had trouble at the main brake junction block, at the front...seems some may be bit short or long...but not always exact, and was hard to get them all connected and then bolting it to frame (tried with it bolted to frame first time, that didn't work well).
Overall it's a real PIA, I'd really consider how bad they really are...if it's just surface rust not a big deal (clean them up a bit), if serious corosion then yeah, but long as insides are clean you should be good.
Just my 2 cents.
The 'prebend', I found out, is not, always 'prebent' exactly correct in all spots and you may have to wrestle with it a bit. I fought like hell with the rear lines, especially the rear one coming out of the caliper and running along the T/A.
Also had trouble at the main brake junction block, at the front...seems some may be bit short or long...but not always exact, and was hard to get them all connected and then bolting it to frame (tried with it bolted to frame first time, that didn't work well).
Overall it's a real PIA, I'd really consider how bad they really are...if it's just surface rust not a big deal (clean them up a bit), if serious corosion then yeah, but long as insides are clean you should be good.
Just my 2 cents.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,424
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland FL
I just finished doing this last week myself, seems there is one main supplier for them because they all have the bends in same place and tagged accordingly, usually come in oversized box, mine came in 2 (one inside another).
The 'prebend', I found out, is not, always 'prebent' exactly correct in all spots and you may have to wrestle with it a bit. I fought like hell with the rear lines, especially the rear one coming out of the caliper and running along the T/A.
Also had trouble at the main brake junction block, at the front...seems some may be bit short or long...but not always exact, and was hard to get them all connected and then bolting it to frame (tried with it bolted to frame first time, that didn't work well).
Overall it's a real PIA, I'd really consider how bad they really are...if it's just surface rust not a big deal (clean them up a bit), if serious corosion then yeah, but long as insides are clean you should be good.
Just my 2 cents.
The 'prebend', I found out, is not, always 'prebent' exactly correct in all spots and you may have to wrestle with it a bit. I fought like hell with the rear lines, especially the rear one coming out of the caliper and running along the T/A.
Also had trouble at the main brake junction block, at the front...seems some may be bit short or long...but not always exact, and was hard to get them all connected and then bolting it to frame (tried with it bolted to frame first time, that didn't work well).
Overall it's a real PIA, I'd really consider how bad they really are...if it's just surface rust not a big deal (clean them up a bit), if serious corosion then yeah, but long as insides are clean you should be good.
Just my 2 cents.
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: barkhamsted ct
annealed ss tube locally??
what's the specs and what sort of supplier might have the correct ss tubing? (mcmaster carr supply can do it website/mail order, I think? they have EVERYTHING)
Also, isn't there a problem doing the double bend required of the flair that work hardens and cracks the ss?
Just asking, I want to bend my own, also.
thanks
-85% Jimmy
Also, isn't there a problem doing the double bend required of the flair that work hardens and cracks the ss?
Just asking, I want to bend my own, also.
thanks
-85% Jimmy
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,422
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
Yes, the SS brake lines come bent in the shape of a big "U." To straighten them up....
I have a concrete patio and the concrete has an straight crease trowled into it. I lay a flat side of the ss brake line "U" into the crease. Have someone hold it tight. Now just walk the bent part of the U into the crease. When you get finished you'll have a pretty straight piece of tubing. I straightend out some cunifer (copper alloy) gas line this week end using the same technique.
About double flares in ss. As far as I know, you have to have a hydraulic tube flarer to get enough pressure to double flare ss. Eastwoods sells one for about $500. Inline Tube in the past has advertised that if you send them a brake line, they will scan it and duplicate it in SS. This gives you the option of fabricating your lines in copper (easy to shape and double flare) send it to them, and they will duplicate it in SS. I used this service for some custom brake lines along my trailing arms to my SSBC aluminum calipers. This was a simple job for them and they charged a minimal price.
I have a concrete patio and the concrete has an straight crease trowled into it. I lay a flat side of the ss brake line "U" into the crease. Have someone hold it tight. Now just walk the bent part of the U into the crease. When you get finished you'll have a pretty straight piece of tubing. I straightend out some cunifer (copper alloy) gas line this week end using the same technique.
About double flares in ss. As far as I know, you have to have a hydraulic tube flarer to get enough pressure to double flare ss. Eastwoods sells one for about $500. Inline Tube in the past has advertised that if you send them a brake line, they will scan it and duplicate it in SS. This gives you the option of fabricating your lines in copper (easy to shape and double flare) send it to them, and they will duplicate it in SS. I used this service for some custom brake lines along my trailing arms to my SSBC aluminum calipers. This was a simple job for them and they charged a minimal price.
Last edited by 68/70Vette; Apr 2, 2007 at 12:11 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
You should be aware that seating the s/s brake lines can be a challenge. They were a struggle on my 69; be sure you have a quality set of flare nut wrenches or the difficulty will increase exponentially. As many have said, the tubes come bent and shipped in a box and can be easily straightened.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
double flaring is ONLY needed on NON seamless tubing, if you have seamless high quality tubing you won't need a double flare. You need a quality flaring tool to do single flares in stainless, you need a 900+ $ flaring tool to do proper double flares in stainless without destroying the flare cone. Also, don't use a tubing cutter to cut the lines, it'll work harden the tubing and make it even harder to flare. I use a cut off wheel and then use the clamping dies as a guide and carefully file the end flat, then you can make a perfect flare (I only use 37deg. double flares though backed up w/ tube sleeves)
Last edited by Twin_Turbo; Apr 2, 2007 at 02:28 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,654
Likes: 0
From: Chandler Arizona
St. Jude Donor '08
Got all my stuff from zip. Replaced brake and fuel lines with SS. As mentioned above the big bend in the lines put there for shipping were easily straightened by hand. My son and I did the job in aboout an hour on my frame. Obviously the body (as required) was already off. I was very happy with the fit of the bends on mine.