Brake Lines - Help!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
From: Eagle River AK
St. Jude Donor '10, '13
Brake Lines - Help!
Hi all - well it seems that in starting an easy project (steel braided brake lines) I have managed to turn it into a major overhaul. I destroyed the fittings on the steel brake lines and will now have to replace the front two (Front right and Front crossover). My question is can I replace the stainless steel lines that run from the crossover valve to the rubber lines with steel braided line? If so what size and any recommendations for a place to purchase?
Thanks everyone,
Steve
Thanks everyone,
Steve
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 3
From: Wildwood IL
Man oh man...this just happened to me Friday night!! Same 32 yr old steel lines...same fittings...same results. (snap) I'm ordering my front stainless crossover from Corvette America, along with stainless speed bleeders. Bought stainless braided flex hose from Vette Brakes. Almost all the vendors have stainless hard lines. The front crossover line can be removed without taking anything else out. (I did it) Why would you want to use flex as a crossover???? It is not as ridgid as solid thus expanding some under pressure... and could compromise fluid pressure reducing braking efficiency.
Good Luck
Eddie
Good Luck
Eddie
Last edited by Silvr77; Sep 6, 2004 at 12:05 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
From: Eagle River AK
St. Jude Donor '10, '13
Thanks for the reply Eddie - The reason I was thinking about going with a flex hose rather than the rigid front crossover is for ease of putting it back in. I got mine out with a little fuss and it looks like it may be a slight pain in the butt to put back in, but if that’s the only way then that’s what I'll do. Thanks again, and good luck with yours.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,804
Likes: 1
From: OKC Oklahoma
You certainly don't want to remove the rigid lines from the frame. I ordered a complete stainless steel car set for about $120(minus the flex hoses). I think iI got mine from www.classictube.com . I just checked their website and they list the SS set for $150, but I got mine from ebay or somewhere and payed a bit less. The quality is top notch. If you need any assistance, I live over in Midwest City. Good luck!! 
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,354
Likes: 787
From: Redondo Beach, California
Originally Posted by 79VetteMike
You certainly don't want to remove the rigid lines from the frame. I ordered a complete stainless steel car set for about $120(minus the flex hoses). I think iI got mine from www.classictube.com . I just checked their website and they list the SS set for $150, but I got mine from ebay or somewhere and payed a bit less. The quality is top notch. If you need any assistance, I live over in Midwest City. Good luck!!
I ordered a stainless set also, and right now the front to back brake line is an impasse.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
From: Eagle River AK
St. Jude Donor '10, '13
Too late for that 79Mike, since I had to cut the end off at the flex hose I had no choice but to remove and replace the hard line. Like I said it was a pain to remove so I know install is going to be a killer - hence the question about using steel braided line in place of the hard line. It occurred to me that motorcycle brake lines are all steel braided, so why can’t vette hard lines be the same? Is there a pressure difference that I’m not aware of? Wouldn’t the same diameter braided line be the same if not better than the hard lines, I know the install would be a whole lot easier.
Thanks for the input and the assistance offer I'll keep you in mind before I start looking for a bigger hammer!
to get those lines in!
Thanks for the input and the assistance offer I'll keep you in mind before I start looking for a bigger hammer!
to get those lines in!
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Drifting
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,651
Likes: 13
From: Holly MI
Use as little flex line as possible. The flex line expands more then the hard line. Also, I believe there are laws about how much flex line you can have. Not sure, but I would check. I replaced all my lines front to back with new stainless lines. It's not that hard. I did it with the car on jack stands by myself. I had already done my Camaro, so I had some better ideas about doing this one. It's like a big puzzle, but it can be done. Put tape over the ends of the lines to keep dirt out. Don't tighten any fittings until you get all the fitting started. You may have to slightly bend the front to rear line to get it in, just make sure you don't kink it. If you have to, make many small bends over a large area. That's how I did mine, and it went in just fine. I believe I started by putting the front section in first, and then feeding the back section in.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: Chambersburg PA
My car is sitting on jackstand right now with a seized fitting between the hard line and the hose. Its soaking with penetrant but I'm afraid its not going to break loose. Any ideas before I cause irreversable harm?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
By far - the best way to break a fitting loose (not off) is with
a good pair of vicegrips. You muck up the hex a little - but they
always break loose. Once loose - use an open end wrench to
finish the removal ... cleanup the hex with a file after.
The worst that can happen is the steel line rusts onto the
fitting. At that point, nothing is going to help - except for new lines.
For the front crossover - buy the stainless hard line. I bend and make
all my brake lines ... but not on the vette. I bought a stainless
set. They should outlive me. Still, the fittings can rust up, so
coat them with grease to help them survive.
When installing the new lines, wrap a piece of masking or duct
tape around the end to keep crap out until the line is in place.
a good pair of vicegrips. You muck up the hex a little - but they
always break loose. Once loose - use an open end wrench to
finish the removal ... cleanup the hex with a file after.
The worst that can happen is the steel line rusts onto the
fitting. At that point, nothing is going to help - except for new lines.
For the front crossover - buy the stainless hard line. I bend and make
all my brake lines ... but not on the vette. I bought a stainless
set. They should outlive me. Still, the fittings can rust up, so
coat them with grease to help them survive.
When installing the new lines, wrap a piece of masking or duct
tape around the end to keep crap out until the line is in place.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: Chambersburg PA
Thanks NH but my vice grips wont hold tight enough. After looking closer it is only the little rear caliper hard line that is frozen. I'm just going to replace those while I am at it. No point introducing a potiential leak sourse when a $12 part can prevent it. Ever notice that the gotta order special parts are the ones that always break on these things????