Brake Line Fitting Information

[red67chev]

Dose anyone know of a reference for brake line information. Inboard / outboard fittings, lengths, ect.

I am trying to determeine the specs for a number of OEM vehicles and am having a hard time locating information that is reliable and comlete.

If someone could point me in the right direction, I would appreciate it very much.

Gary King P.E.
Mechanical

 

[pennswoodsed]

Hi,
Am I to understand that you are looking for fabrication information to replace the original lines?
The original info would have been recorded and used at the General Motors plant and engineering facility where the car was constructed.
Replacement hard lines are available for most popular models from suppliers such as Year One and Good Parts(sic)
Yours,Ed

 

[MikeHalloran]

Traditional US brake lines are made of double walled steel tube, double flared, and terminated with inverted flare fittings. There are SAE standards for all that stuff. Best source might be an SAE Handbook. Look on sae.org. Bring your wallet.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[RossABQ]

Mike H., I am not aware of any manufacturers using double walled tubing; correct on the double (inverted) flare. Can you clarify? Later models I am familiar with are using coated lines due to ABS equipment and corrosion concerns.

 

[red67chev]

I am not aware of any double wall tubing that is being used. I believe he may have meant "double flare."

What I am looking for would simply be a auto parts catalog of some sort that would allow you to look up the specific vehicle you are working on, and it would show you the line data. Inboard end (3/8-24 Inveted flare, M10 x 1 Bubble flare), Outboard end (20° 10MM banjo. ect..) and the line length. The type of data you might need if you were going to build a replacement line with out a sample in hand.


Gary King

 

[MikeHalloran]

No, he meant double wall. What is often called Bundy tubing has a longitudinal seam, but it's not a butt- welded seam. It's a lap seam, with nearly 100 pct lap, copper brazed to itself.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[RossABQ]

Very interesting; are you saying that all brake line is Bundy tubing?

 

[MikeHalloran]

No. Bundy tubing used to be standard on 'merican cars, but things change...

http://www.dimebank.com/BrakePlumbing.html

Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[RossABQ]

On an Old Ford forum I frequent, one of the British members showed off his newly restored frame, complete with copper brake lines. When he was jumped for this, his story was that it is very common in the UK to use a heavy-walled copper tubing that is made specifically for brake systems. (Especially older ones)

 

[swall]

The SAE standard on the double wall "Bundy" tubing is J527. that spec has been around, albeit revised, for at least 30 years.

 

[GregLocock]

http://www.nfauto.co.uk/brake_flaring_tool.htm

works well, much nicer than steel. Doesn't rust either.

Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[patprimmer]

Copper is a bit susceptible to work harden then crack if allowed to vibrate.

Regards

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