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Brake lines - Talk to me

Posted: 29 Jan 2016, 21:33
by JonB
I'm not feeling all that comfortable with the regards to the brakes on the new van and the past MOT advisories also hint at the brakes needing a look at (corroded hard lines etc).

I'm just looking for a list of parts with regards to the hydraulic lines & fixings but don't seem to be able to find one in Bentley,Haynes, Wiki or Google.

I see kits from a long roll of Kunifer & flaring tool, precut/flared sets from Gunzl or coolair and finally the precut/shaped individual lines from Brickwerks.

Just wondering if anyone has a diagram or list of parts (pipe, t-pieces, clips etc.) easily available. Also if anyone has used these pre-cut kits (I'm assuming they could be a bit short).

The previous van had brake lines done a few years ago by the garage, think they were just copper but I do like the look of the Brickwerks pipe.

Thanks.

Re: Brake lines - Talk to me

Posted: 29 Jan 2016, 22:21
by California Dreamin
JonB wrote:I'm not feeling all that comfortable with the regards to the brakes on the new van and the past MOT advisories also hint at the brakes needing a look at (corroded hard lines etc).

I'm just looking for a list of parts with regards to the hydraulic lines & fixings but don't seem to be able to find one in Bentley,Haynes, Wiki or Google.

I see kits from a long roll of Kunifer & flaring tool, precut/flared sets from Gunzl or coolair and finally the precut/shaped individual lines from Brickwerks.

Just wondering if anyone has a diagram or list of parts (pipe, t-pieces, clips etc.) easily available. Also if anyone has used these pre-cut kits (I'm assuming they could be a bit short).

The previous van had brake lines done a few years ago by the garage, think they were just copper but I do like the look of the Brickwerks pipe.

Thanks.

I'm not a big fan of these pre-made pipes, they are plated and plastic coated but they are steel like the originals so will rot albeit over many years. They are also very stiff and difficult to fit as a result, however, I can see the attraction of prefabricated lengths with perfectly formed flares.
I would recommend Cunifer (copper nickel) and a handful of M10x1 male unions. The reality is that most other bits are re-usable and you will only need the pipe and unions and something to make the flares. I would also go for standard VW replacement flexi pipes. From memory the fronts are around £17 each the rears less. Easier to fit and more reliable than after market braided hoses.
You will need a full roll of Cunifer...the long front to rear pipe is the most difficult to fit as it goes over the fuel tank.

Martin

Re: Brake lines - Talk to me

Posted: 29 Jan 2016, 22:25
by a1winchester

Re: Brake lines - Talk to me

Posted: 29 Jan 2016, 23:12
by JonB
Yes and no, I'd like to understand / see the pipe run say from rear drum flexi, over trailing arm and to main union that goes to the front if the van. I guess as the trailing arm pivots does it rely on flex in the hard pipe or is there something else.

Clips, springs and connectors is another topic as could envisage not having something to hand and delaying progress.

Ideally I'd love a bit if free time during daylight to allow me to lift and pop a wheel off for a good root but that hasn't been possible so far this month :)

Cheers for the replies though.

Re: Brake lines - Talk to me

Posted: 30 Jan 2016, 08:33
by busbuddy
JonB wrote:Yes and no, I'd like to understand / see the pipe run say from rear drum flexi, over trailing arm and to main union that goes to the front if the van.

there is no rear drum flexi, its hard piped from drum to end of swing arm then connects to flexi where swing arm pivots, then hard piped to main union

im sure there is an exploded view of brake lines on vagcat


quick look on google

Image


from the vw wholesale website, i think they are owned by same guy who runs custom and commercial

Re: Brake lines - Talk to me

Posted: 30 Jan 2016, 11:01
by JonB
Ah ha, link seems broken but managed to pop out to the van and as I thought there is a flexi between the trailing arm and chassis.

Would this flexi be the same part as from drum to trailing? Think this maybe the root of my confusion.

Re: Brake lines - Talk to me

Posted: 30 Jan 2016, 12:43
by California Dreamin
JonB wrote:Ah ha, link seems broken but managed to pop out to the van and as I thought there is a flexi between the trailing arm and chassis.

Would this flexi be the same part as from drum to trailing? Think this maybe the root of my confusion.

Yes there are two short flexible rubber brake pipe hoses that go from each of the rear radius arms to the chassis both sides allowing the movement of the rear suspension.
The T25 uses a front to rear split system so both the rear wheel cylinders are on separate pipes to a brass union on the O/S/R but then one line to the front where it connects to the brake compensator. As I said, it's the section that goes over the tank that is awkward as it has a fastener holding the pipe against the tunnel. This pipe has to be secured over the tank otherwise it could chafe on the gear change linkage.

Martin

Re: Brake lines - Talk to me

Posted: 30 Jan 2016, 14:02
by JonB
Ace, good to know. Fairly time constrained with an impending birth and a 2 year old running around so trying to plan jobs well in advance to reduce avoidable faff. That said the van isn't a daily driver at the mo' so nothing urgent.