Clutch/Brake Pipes - repair/replace

[TravellingChick]

Petrol 1.9dg Water Cooled 1985

When I had the clutch replaced in early April the mechanic said the pipes were a bit damp and they were a bit rusty but prob would be okay till autumn/winter.

Checked brake/clutch fluid resevoir and it's below minimum having been at correct level 4 months ago. Will keep it topped up and an eye on it for the time being.

So, how big of a job is it and what might I be likely to have to pay? Very much doubt it is something I can tackle myself due to lack of knowledge/tools/time etc...........

Is it a big enough job to get TooManyToys down to slightly west of the Big Smoke?!

Cheers in advance
Sarah

ps: had a look on Wiki but couldn't really find what I was looking for.

[armyphil]

you could prob do it yourself if you get the pipes made up for you, the hardest part is either flaring the pipe yourself or finding a nice cheap garage to do the flaring or make the pipes up.

I recently just bought the "kunifer" brake pipe of brickwerks and all the fittings to go with it. ( the parts you need are in the wiki) Its quite cheap really and especially for peace of mind.

The clutch fluid level also does the brakes so you may have a failing wheel cylinder check for dampsness round the back of the brake drums

HTH

[Damien]

Its not a huge job, just done it on mine. I have all the pipe, fitting and tools to do it if you like?

[Simon Baxter]

fairly much bolt on and bolt off.
Well, if it makes it any easier to get your head around, I charge a days labour to do it, but we do it properly with taking the tank out, and I'm also a bit anal about brake pipes, I have a tube bender and I like to make them nice and neat with all the correct bends in the right places.
Rather than undo the ends we tend to just cut them off, much quicker.
Worst one to do, even with a ramp is the one from the T piece at the left hand front of the van that goes to the right front of the van, we usually make that in 2 pieces as that makes life much, much easier.
Front to rear pipe is also done in 2 when we do them and it joins just after the tank.
Like i say, I'm a bit fussy about it, some people are quite happy to throw any old pipe on there, and so long as it's secure it's fine for the MOT too, but theres nowt wrong with a bit of pride in your work!
I'm also sure that I'm not the cheapest for the brake pipe ends, but I can get the cheaper ones but I struggle getting them started in the threads sometimes and prefer to use the more expensive ones as it takes the frustration out of the job.

[shanco73]

I have recently made up all the brake pipes for the rear of my van, from the rear t piece to the the connectors for the flexis then from the flexis to the rear drums, not much to sing about as this was only a few pipes, i bought a good quality flairing tool and a good quality pipe bender, as i will use them again as i plan to buy a few more older vehicles...

Anyway i also bought good quality ends i had no problems only one very minor leek after i had bled the brakes, nipped the leaky one up and no more problems at all. I gues it depends weather or not you plan to use the kit again as it might not make financial sense to buy the tools if you only want to use them once unless you were to sell them afterwards.

I like what Simon has said a bit of pride in your work is a good thing.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Steve H

[TravellingChick]

Thanks all, have been out there and had a really good look underneath. I think I've located the brake pipes altho not sure bout the clutch pipes I have to admit!

I checked them thru as much as poss but can't find anything damp anywhere except a slight damp patch on the driver's side rear tyre which isn't the pipe but a lump of metal - am sure there is a technical term here LOL. It's only very very slightly damp.

I didn't manage to get back to the pedals tho............

I've topped up the resevoir so will see how we go.

As an aside I found the rear tyre on the passenger side badly worn on the inside of the tread so will go to kwik fit and either replace or get them to switch it with my spare which is in good nick.

Oh, and what are those really thick pipes (2 are white) that run up the middle of the van?

Thanks!
Sarah

[T'Onion]

those thick white plastic pipes are the coolant pipes

[T'Onion]

try etyres for the tyres , they come to you

[jaylo264]

if you get toomanytoys down, he could teach you loads about the van whilst fixing your pipes (i believe , tho never met or used him ! )
After 11 years of owning my van, i am getting to know a wee bit about it .............
jaylo

[TravellingChick]

Okay, I am feeling slightly more optimisitc.

Got a kwik fit up the road so popped up there to get the tyre checked out. The guy who helped me is restoring his beetle (just rebuilt the engine) so he knows a little bit about VWs. He said the tyre has been switched front to back, isn't dangerous and will even up at which point both rears will need changing.

He had a good look around underneath and the pedals etc and says the pipes are okay and he couldn't find a leak either. The resevoir is holding steady on the max indicator.

I made the assumption that the mobile mechanic would've topped up the Dot4 when he replaced the clutch but maybe he didn't.

I'll keep a close eye on the resevoir and see how it travels.

Thanks all

Sarah