Freestyle brake pipes

[Ross_B]

Hi all

I am about ready for starting the brake pipe system on the whole car

I haven't done this part of a build before other than fitting premade pipes on a classic mini

Any advice on how it goes about it would be a great help.....

E.g
Do I have to make all the pipes custom length? Or can I use any classic mini pipes off the shelf?
Do I have to use copper pipe or is there any other options?
And any of the million questions that come with doing this part of the build

Any help from experience would be a great help especially where to start!?

Thanks!

Ross

 

[Phaeton]

Professional Brake Pipe Flaring Tool SAE Hand Held On Car Double Flare Kit 3/16" | eBay

Professional Brake Pipe Flaring Tool for a 3/16" SAE Flare. Type: Brake Pipe Flaring Tool. Brake pipe flaring tool: Approx. 155 43 25mm. 1set Brake Pipe Flaring Tool. Will produce single and double flares.

www.ebay.co.uk

Pardon our interruption...

www.ebay.co.uk

These along with some clips are all you need, along with some flexible pipes, which I think as normal Mini ones, unless you want to go for braided which do give a better feel.

 

[Ross_B]

Perfect thanks thats what I thought would be the case but it's always best to check for any other info!

I will get some bits ordered and give it a try

Thanks for the help

 

[250buggys]

Alan is right, I tried a few flaring tools and then got that one and produced perfect results every time.

Get the kunifer, don't be tempted to get the cheapest stuff as it is not copper, you can hold a magnet up to it and see it is ferrous. It looks tatty and corrodes pretty quickly if not. Get a couple of rolls to practice on, the trick is to work out your run first and try and keep it straight without kinks in, you can only bend it twice as it goes brittle and is junk after that.

I used stainless ends for mine and all the tees, have a read of the build threads.

I can't remember if you are building for the road, if so you probably want to read through the IVA manual as there are requirements to support at least every 300mm and any parts they can't see to inspect they like to see photos of the build.

I am sure you promised more pictures!

The mini flex pipes cone with the big penny washers which the Freestyle has brackets for, just need to be careful which ones you get. Think it is both fron subframe types but one each of the discs and drums.

I made all my own braided hoses, there are some good videos on YouTube, tutorials to watch if you get stuck.

 

[ChaosMS]

I went braided hose end to end, originally I used the standard copper pipe end to end with custom braided lines to the hubs but when I did the rebuild I scrapped all the hard pipes - never had an issue with full braided and still have the breakpoints at each corner so full length in the main tub to an6 fittings at each end, no need to flare anything perfect fit and super easy to make up (as they are all compression fittings)

Company I used for the braided hose and compression fittings is called Torques - they have a huge web shop on Ebay, I also used their PTFE lined braided hose so it will basically last forever!

 

[Ross_B]

I was thinking can you use braided as I thought that would be better and/or easier!?

I will have a look at them on eBay

Do you have to buy a tool to fit the required ends to the pipe?

Thanks for the help

Ross

 

[250buggys]

Hi Ross

There is a shed load of info on this forum, you need to look at the last 4 Freestyle buggy builds, been through IVA. All the questions you are asking are well documented.

I did the whole braided hose thing on the buggy and on my recent build I went with solid pipe as the clutch and brake pedals suffer with sponge.

Have a really good read through all the build forums and pics, if you get stuck ask for help but TBH it is all very well documented. Look at my build thread I didn't leave anything out.

 

[Ross_B]

I did start looking at the build threads so I will carry on where I left off and get caught up now I am getting somewhere with mine

Which was the latest build on the forum that went though IVA?

Thanks again!

 

[ChaosMS]

Hi Ross,

You dont need a special tool for the Torques stuff as they are compression fittings so anodised aluminium fittings with a small olive that slides over the inner PTFE hose.

I went with the PTFE to stop the spongey feeling Chris is referring to - to be honest i havent noticed any difference in feel with the full braided setup over the center hard lines setup used before, and i think thats down to the PTFE

Saying that I am in the process of trying to squeeze in a pair of remote brake servos (one per master cylinder on the balance bar) as although the brakes are good modern brakes are better and im being out braked on the road by idiots who brake last second when im behind them (as they arnt paying attention to whats in front of them) or worse they pull out in front of me and dont bother to pull away!! - so a little upgrade required, i have found a double ended remote servo but they want £450 for it!! and its a weird size and shape and just wont fit.

Rich

 

[Ross_B]

Hi Rich

thanks for the info I am not sure yet what I am going to go with but it's good to know there are a couple of options

I will have a better look at the braided stuff before I decide and then make a choice

looking forward to getting on it a bit more now the weather will hopefully start picking up!

Ross