Brake line question

[roger-wilco-66]

Hi,

I need to replace the brake line between the mbc and the airpack, and figured, that I could fabricate that by myself, since I have the tools for this task (I used to do that on VW beetles before).
Does anyone know the exact size of the brake line, and is this a special type (metal) or rating? Are the ends of the tubes formed in a special non-standard way (sorry, my english vocabulary...)? Don't want to take risks here.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[cranetruck]

Well, for brake lines, use steel tubing and inverted flare fittings.

 

[Recovry4x4]

The line is commonly available at most parts houses. The lines running the side of the frame are 5/16" as is the line from the master to the air cylinder. I would suggest using a bending die as the larger the line, the easier it kinks. 3/`16" line is easily bent around your thumb, not so with 5/16"

 

[papercu]

brakes

BTW bending steel tubing is tricky and requires some practice. Kinked lines means reduced flow and you need all the the help you can get in stopping a deuce. Don't cheat and use copper tubing either. Wayne

http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public/563.cfm

http://fullsizebronco.com/forum/showthread.php?t=67422

 

[Latrine_Commander]

Brake Lines

Make sure you use a double flare on the ends of the lines. I have benders by imperial, ridgid and swagelock (sp?). Steel line is hard to bend. Copper fuel line is a piece of cake. By having the right bender, it eliminates the kinks and make the job look professional (nice smooth bends). You can get short lenghts (about up to 4 feet) in straight sections. It also comes in 50 ft rolls.

 

[roger-wilco-66]

RE: Brake Lines

Thanks! That helped a lot, expecially the picture, Bjorn. The line between the mbc and the airpack is kinked badly and in my opinion responsible for the slow return of the brake pedal to the neutral position after breaking. I wonder how a drop of brake fluid can pass this kink. When I'm at it I also want to replace the main line between the airpack and the first T-junction as well as the air return line from the airpack, which is almost ripped off and open.
I also see that I'll have to get a decent bender before trying my hand at this.
Unbelievable that the vehicle passed the normally very stringent technical checks here in Germany for the historical license in that condition.

Cheers,
Mark

 

[acetomatoco]

RE: Brake Lines

I would suggest getting oem lines from one of the many dealers in Holland who specialize in US Deuces... they are scrapping vehicles all the time. Double flaring of SAE steel tubing in Deutschland may be a bit of a chore..

 

[roger-wilco-66]

RE: Brake Lines

What does double-flaring exactly mean? I suppose the tube in Bjorn's picture is not double flared, is it?

Problem with the OEM lines from Holland (e.g. Reomie) is that for one reason or another they hardly fit, we've had that before, and then it takes weeks and $$$ to return them and get others until they are finally right.

 

[gringeltaube]

Mark, auf deutsch "doppelt gebördelt". Bjorn's pic actually shows a single flared tube. (NOT recommended for brake lines!)
All you want to know is here: http://members.flashnet.at/leizinger/bremsanlage/bremsleitungen/bremsleitungen.htm

G.

 

[roger-wilco-66]

Danke, Gerhard, der Link mit der Seite erklärt wohl alles!


Regards,
Mark