Reusing Brake Pipes

[Sam Monoogian]

Am I correct in the belief that if you drain the brake system and remove all the pipework you shouldn't reuse the old pipes. If so why?

[Fast Westie]

Normally cos they are so rusted up they broke when you took them offblush.gif

 

If you use the old ones flush them out with some brake fluid to ensure there is no rubbish in them.

 

The car in front is a Westfie1d wink.gif

[ashaughnessy]

I would have thought it was fine to reuse the old pipes PROVIDING they are in good condition. If the end fittings are nice and clean and they rotate freely on the pipe and if they didn't stick or put up a fight when you removed them, and if you haven't removed/refitted them lots of times, then you're probably OK. If the end fitting puts up a fight, then you may end up twisting the pipe, with the consequent risk of fracture (which I guess will depend on pipe material). Also, if you remove and refit lots of times, perhaps the flare on the pipe end won't have enough "give" in it to get a good seat.

Anthony

[Pete]

Hi Sam

 

Be careful about re-using old brake pipes. The originals are likely to be made of steel and therefore liable to corrosion. As noted in the previous post, check the pipes and unions carefully. Don't even think about re-using the flexibles.

 

An alternative is to buy a roll of copper pipe (or Kunifer), some unions and a flaring tool and make your own. It is not too expensive and the pipes will last a long time.

 

BTW, have you recovered from the effects of Richard's doughnuts at Brooklands yet? :-)

 

regards

 

pete

[Sam Monoogian]

The originals are copper and I had no trouble taking them off. I might remake one of the front ones anyway for aesthetic purposes.

 

Pete,

 

Fully recovered from the doughnuts though if Richard wants to do some more I'm a willing passenger. wink.gif