Front to Rear Brake Pipe

[rugchucker]

Hi All,


i have a '80 LHD T25 Aircooled, does anyone know the length of the front to rear pipe. Mine has failed the MOT on corrosion on the last 3 inches only. I presume I have to change the whole pipe.

Its difficult to trace the pipe through the gap above the tank. Does it start at the pressure regulator?

I was thinking of just poking the new pipe through without dropping the tank, has anyone done this?

Any help would be appreciated

Des

[Red Westie]

Yes...to the compensator, it could be joined but you will find the original pipe is steel and very dificult to re-flare.
Also....just poking a pipe through has a high risk of catching the gear linkage.
I know it's a pain but dropping the tank is the best way.

Martin

[rugchucker]

Cheers Martin
Its just that I know that dropping the tank can open a whole new can of worms with the breather hoses to the expansion tanks.

Has anyone got the measurements of the front to rear pipe?

Des

[CovKid]

I remember doing that pipe vividly and yes it is a pain. What I did was buy a copper/nickel (think it was) complete kit (ebay)and replaced every single pipe underneath and I deffo didn't remove tank - just wrestled with it. Took a full day but was worth it for YEARS of hassle-free pipes. In fact it was the very first job I did when it arrived at mine on a trailer after I bought it. I HATE doing brake pipes so decided to start as I meant to go on.....

Kit wasn't too short of £60 but small price to pay for the troubles I rid myself of in the longer term. Done that with every single v-dub I've ever owned.

[rugchucker]

To bring you up to speed, I was very lucky in that our local VW main dealer workshop kindly lent me their flaring tool, thats the SP one that fits in a vice. This made the job of making new pipes very easy.

The front to rear pipe was only corroded on its rearmost 4". I freed it from its various clips and ties which were grouping it to the other cables running rearwards, then using my B&D workmate to hold the tool, while collapsed to fit under the van, I fitted a female union and then made a pipe of about 12" to replace the corroded part.

Job jobbed, just the bleeding to do tomorrow and thats it done.

I'm glad I didnt have to disturb the tank, those breather pipes just terrify me!!

Des

[tinman]

BUT, how do you know the 20 year old steel pipe is not corroded above the tank??
drop the tank out, replace the whole pipe in copper, paint the top of the tank, replace the rubber 6mm breather pipes,
If you get stuck ask on here theres plenty of us that have done it and can tell you how.
It'll be a 5hit weekend but well worth it

[rugchucker]

I know my pipe is not corroded above the tank because my wife told me!!

I agree that the ultimate option would have been to replace it totally, however as I replaced the tank a couple of years ago and there was no sign of corrosion then and everything got a very liberal coat of wax oil, which was hard labour and conservatively should protect the pipes and tank for a good amount of time I agree its a "pooh" job, that why I dont wont to do it again



Des

[helga592]

Im just about to do the same job. Could you ask your wife if the pipe above my tank is ok? My wife doesnt know what a petrol tank is or that it needs filling now and again!
Nik

[rugchucker]

I asked my wife and she said "don't be silly, how would I know? Ive never met him!!!"